Scafell - Lake District Walk
Thursday 13th July 2006
There couldn't have been a better way to start my next 100 Birketts than today. The weather was ideal for walking, with high cloud keeping the temperatures down during the hottest part of the day. Once we reached the top of Scafell we had clear skies that remained with us for our descent back down to a welcome drink and meal in the Woolpack Inn. This in terms of the combined height and distance along with the two scrambles on the way up was the most challenging walk my husband and I have done together. I was on a real high after I had finished it. Simply put, it was the best day's walking I have probably ever enjoyed.
Start: Woolpack Inn (NY 1905 0101)
Route: Woolpack Inn - Jubilee Bridge - Lingcove Bridge - Great Moss - Foxes Tarn - Scafell (101) - Slight Side (102) - Eel Tarn - Woolpack Inn
Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 1149 metres Time Taken: 8 hrs 30 mins
Weather: Warm with high cloud to start , clear skies upon reaching the summit.
Pub Visited: Woolpack Inn, Boot Ale Drunk: Hardknott Brewery, Sweet Tenacity
As we start along Upper Eskdale we get our first sight of what lies ahead with this view of Slight Side.
Bowfell was in view for most of the day.
The river Esk in the Upper Eskdale valley.
Approaching a busy Lingcove Bridge. The climbing started here as once we crossed the bridge
it was up around the hill to the left.
Harter Fell taken from the path just above Lingcove Bridge.
Looking in the other direction at the Crinkle Crags.
Cam Spout and the first scramble of the day, up the path to the right of the waterfall.
Looking back at Great Moss from the foot of the waterfall.
Esk Buttress with Penn on top of it.
Scafell Pike from the top of the waterfall.
Broad Stand with Mickledore to the right.
Foxes Gully in front of East Buttress and the second scramble of the day.
The view across Great Moss to the Crinkle Crags from the top of Foxes Gully, it was worth the effort.
Looking back down on Foxes Tarn (the smallest in the Lake District) from the final climb onto the summit.
Scafell's summit cairn.
Looking north east to Blencathra from the summit.
Scafell Pike.
Great Gable.
Looking across Kirkfell with High Crag and High Stile to the left and Grasmoor to the right.
Sellafield with the Isle of Man visible as the black line on the horizon.
Illgill Head with Burnmoor Tarn to the left and Wast Water to the right.
The Old Man of Coniston.
Looking down the shoulder to Slight Side with Harter Fell behind.
Slight Side's summit cairn.
Scafell from Slight Side.
Slight Side.
Eskdale Fell with Scafell and Slight Side behind, from Eel Tarn. It was a long way down.
A very welcome sign.
All pictures copyright © Peak Walker 2006-2023