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Scafell Pike

Walked on 24/03/2008

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.

Scafell Pike

24.03.08-005

Early morning in Wasdale and there is a dull light on Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Scafell.

24.03.08-007

Lingmell. I followed the ridge climbing to the left.

24.03.08-010

Wasdale Head from the climb, Pillar and Kirk Fell have a covering of snow.

24.03.08-022

Mono Scafell Pike and Scafell, split by the cleft of Mickledore.

24.03.08-023

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.

24.03.08-024

Looking into Mosedale, the fells looking a bit different to last week.

24.03.08-035

Blue sky to the west.

24.03.08-037

Scafell Crag on Scafell.

24.03.08-039

Lingmell Col. Lingmell summit is to the left.

24.03.08-041

The column on the northern edge of Lingmell with Mosedale beyond.

24.03.08-044

Casper on Lingmell, Illgill Head and Wast Water behind.

24.03.08-046

Great Gable, the summit shrouded in mist.

24.03.08-052

Great Gable and Lingmell Beck. To the right is Styhead Tarn.

24.03.08-055

Casper at the column.

24.03.08-061

Looking back across Lingmell Col from the start of the climb to Scafell Pike with Lingme

24.03.08-066

A similar view from further up the climb - it definitely seems to be getting brighter.

24.03.08-067

First glimpse of Derwent Water with Skiddaw and Blencathra beyond. It was really cold now and there was a biting wind.

24.03.08-074

Cold wind and frozen beard.

24.03.08-078

Scafell Pike summit ahead.

24.03.08-079

It looks quite sunny to the north-east now.

24.03.08-081

...and over to Seatallan, Yewbarrow, Haycock and Red Pike.

24.03.08-085

Clear over Mosedale too.

24.03.08-087

Frozen boulders.

24.03.08-088

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

A view straight through to Criffel in Scotland over Kirk Fell and between the High Stile ridge and the northern fells.

24.03.08-091

Easter Bank Holiday traffic at the summit of Scafell Pike.

24.03.08-095

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.

24.03.08-097

The view to the north-east from the summit.

24.03.08-100

Looking across Great Moss to the Coniston fells.

24.03.08-108

The summit.

24.03.08-115

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

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!

24.03.08-132

Climbing towards Broad Stand.

24.03.08-136

Great Moss and the Coniston fells from Mickledore.

24.03.08-138

Lord's Rake.

24.03.08-141

Looking down Lord's Rake from the top. Crampons and ice axe were essential for this treacherous part of the climb.

24.03.08-145

I wouldn't sit under the chockstone for too long Casper, you never know when it will fall.

24.03.08-147

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

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

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.

24.03.08-153

At the top of the final section of Lord's Rake, it was like entering another world with a really strong blizzard blowing. I decided to give Scafell a miss this time and make a quick descent to the valley.

24.03.08-154

Looking back up to wild Scafell.

24.03.08-158

Wast Water and Middle Fell from the descent and it's still snowing.

24.03.08-159

Lingmell, the route of ascent. The snow continued to fall heavily, even at valley level.

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Walking Diary

  • The Mosedale Horseshoe 01/03/2022
  • Caw 18/01/2022
  • Coniston sunset 17/01/2022
  • Blencathra 15/01/2022
  • Scafell Pike 14/01/2022

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