Start point: Hardknott Pass (NY 231 014)
Hardknott Pass – Hard Knott – Lingcove Beck – Scar Lathing – Great Moss – Pen – Scafell Pike – Broadcrag Tarn – Cam Spout – Great Moss – Lingcove Beck – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 9.3 miles Total Ascent: 1240 metres Time Taken: 5 hours 45 minutes
Weather: Overcast. 17ºC.
The weather certainly didn’t turn out as I expected with it being rather grey and I didn’t really know which route I would take until I did it. I must say it took longer than I thought and it was pretty arduous going at times over boggy ground coupled with a steep ascent and descent. It was still enjoyable though – this is my favourite area of all.
Dawn at an un-named tarn on Hard Knott.
Sunrise over Wrynose Pass.
Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags from Hard Knott summit.
Heading into Upper Eskdale it all looks a bit gloomy and the cloud is starting to form on the tops.
The Scafells ahead.
Bowfell and Crinkle Crags.
Slight Side and Scafell, hidden by cloud.
Bowfell.
Casper plans the route - there is a steep descent to cross Lingcove Beck then a steep climb again over the knolls in the middle distance.
Casper hides in the bracken shortly after the crossing of Lingcove Beck.
Lingcove Beck.
Slight Side and Scafell from Scar Lathing, Sampson's Stones on the mound beneath Cam Spout Crag.
Scafell Pike hidden by cloud with Ill Crag to the right.
Casper above Great Moss.
The cloud is clearing from Scafell Pike now. The peak to the right of Esk Buttress is Pen. Now, should I climb Pen or climb Little Narrowcove? In the end I decided on Pen and climbed following the gill to the left of Esk Buttress - which was steep to say the least!
The Scafells reflected in a tarn on Great Moss.
Scafell.
Esk Pike at the head of Great Moss.
Great Moss from the climb to Pen, Hard Knott and Harter Fell in view.
Volcanic sedimentary layers on the summit of Pen.
The formidable East Buttress on Scafell.
The way to Scafell Pike from Pen.
Scafell, Broad Stand and Mickledore from the Eskdale Cairn on Scafell Pike.
Pillar, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and beyond from the summit Scafell Pike.
Looking over Styhead Tarn to Derwent Water, Skiddaw and the northern fells.
The eastern fells beyond the Scafell ridge.
Broad Stand from Broadcrag Tarn - the highest tarn in the Lake District at 827m according to Wainwright and Birkett...but my mapping software shows Foxes tarn at 837m and Crinkle Crags Tarn (near the summit of Long Top, un-named on the OS map) at 854m. Now, should I climb Lord's Rake and climb Scafell or descend Cam Spout? Oops, look at the time - lets go!
Descending the Cam Spout path.
Upper Eskdale from the descent by Cam Spout, which was a mere trickle today.
Looking back to Cam Spout and Scafell.
The aforementioned Long Top.
I don't believe it! (to coin a phrase) - sunshine on Great Moss.