Start point: Brackenclose (NY 182 074)
Brackenclose – Brown Tongue – Lord’s Rake – Symonds Knott – Scafell – Green How – Brackenclose
Distance: 4.7 miles Total Ascent: 913 metres Time Taken: 3 hours Start Time: 09:30
Weather: Low cloud below, sunshine above! 8C
There was only one reason I came to climb Scafell today and that was because the weather forecast once again stated that the highest tops would be above the clouds. I must admit as I set off from Wasdale, it didn’t seem possible as the conditions just seemed wrong for a temperature inversion…shows how much I know!
Scafell route map.
Climbing the path towards Brown Tongue and the weather doesn't look at all promising - grey and murky in the valley with another layer of cloud higher up. Surely this is not inversion weather?
Wast Water from the crossing of Lingmell Gill. As I climbed Brown Tongue at the big boulder, I bumped into a chap who had been to Mickledore but gave up as he couldn't see anything and he didn't think it was worth carrying on. He did mention there was the odd break in the cloud, which was interesting...
At the foot of Lord's Rake.
Nearing the top of Lord's Rake, I could see blue sky above me. This is the view when I turned around - the cloud was pouring over Mickledore into the area where I had just climbed.
Scafell Pike from Lord's Rake.
The view from the second section of Lords Rake, only Great Gable is visible through the clouds looking that way.
Scafell Pike from the start of the third section of Lord's Rake, the chockstone at the top of the first section visible leaning across the exit.
The third section - down through the mist and back up.
Wow, what a beautiful sight - a sea of clouds when I exited Lord's Rake.
Lord's Rake.
A Brocken Spectre and Great Gable.
The ebbing and flowing tide.
Close up on Great Gable.
The Brocken Spectre followed me all the way up along the edge of Scafell Crag with Pillar on the left, Great Gable on the right with High Stile trying to get through the cloud in the centre.
Great Gable with distant Skiddaw to the right. On the distant left is Grasmoor and Crag Hill.
Looking across Deep Gill from Symonds Knott to Scafell Pike and Bowfell.
Dougal and Casper enjoying the sunshine today.
Bowfell.
Red Pike, Scoat Fell and Pillar.
A view for miles across cotton wool clouds.
A wider view of Scafell Pike and Bowfell.
Scafell summit looking to Bowfell with Crinkle Crags putting in a brief appearance.
Beyond Ill Crag to the left is Helvellyn with Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike in view. Further right, beyond Esk Pike, is Fairfield.
The summit of Scafell, Symonds Knott to the right. The two fells above the clouds are Great Gable and Skiddaw.
Which way Dougal?
Nearing the edge of heaven.
Goodbye Gable.
Back down in Wasdale - I don't think anyone would believe me if I told them what it was like on top of the fells!