Start point: Brackenclose (NY 182 074)
Brackenclose – Lingmell – Lingmell Col – Scafell Pike – Mickledore – Lord’s Rake – Green How – Brackenclose
Distance: 5.8 miles Total Ascent: 1030 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes
Weather: Snow, some bright spells. 5ºC.
Where better to experience winter conditions than the roof of England, Scafell Pike. I set off early today to beat the Bank Holiday crowds, in fact so early that I didn’t see anyone! The snow made the going tough at times with the snow often being knee deep and sometimes deeper than that. I also took in Lord’s Rake, a difficult prospect at any time of year and even more so in the snow. Warning: if you are going to attempt a similar walk in these conditions, you need to be adequately prepared and have the correct equipment to enable you to do it safely.
![24.03.08-023 24.03.08-023](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-023.jpg-nggid0517684-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
Looking back down to green fields and Wast Water from above the snow line. Illgill Head and Middle Fell are catching some early morning sun.
![24.03.08-067 24.03.08-067](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-067.jpg-nggid0517696-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
First glimpse of Derwent Water with Skiddaw and Blencathra beyond. It was really cold now and there was a biting wind.
![24.03.08-088 24.03.08-088](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-088.jpg-nggid0517703-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
I think I timed this one just right - although there were brief sunny interludes, the summit was generally in cloud and the ceiling was ever present as can be seen in this photo.
![24.03.08-089 24.03.08-089](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-089.jpg-nggid0517704-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
A view straight through to Criffel in Scotland over Kirk Fell and between the High Stile ridge and the northern fells.
![24.03.08-095 24.03.08-095](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-095.jpg-nggid0517706-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
The view to the south from the summit. To the right is Harter Fell with the dark pyramid of Stickle Pike, the Duddon Estuary and the Furness peninsula beyond.
![24.03.08-115 24.03.08-115](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-115.jpg-nggid0517710-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
Suddenly, there is a change in the weather again on the descent to Mickledore. There are blue skies over Scafell now.
![24.03.08-128 24.03.08-128](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-128.jpg-nggid0517711-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
Broad Stand from Mickledore. On the far right is the vertical cleft of Lord's Rake, today's route of ascent. All I need to do now is get to it!
![24.03.08-141 24.03.08-141](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-141.jpg-nggid0517715-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
Looking down Lord's Rake from the top. Crampons and ice axe were essential for this treacherous part of the climb.
![24.03.08-147 24.03.08-147](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-147.jpg-nggid0517717-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
The second section of Lord's Rake from the top of the first. Waist deep virgin snow and a steep drop to the right made this a tricky prospect.
![24.03.08-149 24.03.08-149](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-149.jpg-nggid0517718-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
Looking back to Scafell Pike and the top of the first section of Lord's Rake - you can see the chockstone if you look closely.
![24.03.08-150 24.03.08-150](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2008-03-24-scafell-pike/cache/24.03.08-150.jpg-nggid0517719-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
The third and final section of Lord's Rake. The far scree slope is clear of snow but first there is another tricky descent through deep snow.