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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Suddenly, there is a change in the weather again on the descent to Mickledore. There are blue skies over Scafell now.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.