Walk : Scafell Pike (3,210 ft) from Brackenclose

Date : 19^th September 2015

Weather : Cloudy, dry @ 14°C

Distance : 7 miles round trip

Time Taken : 2 hours 10 mins to summit

Which part of Lakeland is this walk situated

Terrain Overview

Overview

The Brown Tongue route from the National Trust car park at Brackenclose offers nothing in the way of navigational

challenge (you just follow the crowds) however the physical challenge of climbing to the highest point in England is

something that every Lakeland walker does not decline

At the main car park and camp site just before the start of the walk and the massive bulk of Kirk Fell dominates

the landscape

Brighter skies towards Scafell Crag and the route up Brown Tongue

The usual route from the NT Campsite car park follows the path that runs parallel with Lingmell Gill

Lingmell Gill in full flow as things start to get a little steeper

Crossing the Gill to follow the path up to Hollow Stones

A low cloud base descends over Hollow Stones

Further up the track and this woman (part of a fell race today) was absolutely flying down over the boulders

A bit of decorative Cairn building as the mist becomes even thicker

By far the best way to go up Scafell Pike … if you can find a willing volunteer !

After reaching Lingmell Col the track turns right and heads upwards very steeply

After 30 minutes or so of a strenuous slog … A vision appears !!

The last stage of the climb over a boulder highway

The summit cairn memorial plaque for Lakeland’s war dead

The summit was heaving as usual as the mist closes in and hides all the views

Then all of a sudden the mist lifts momentarily … and Great Gable comes in to view (just about)

Looking North to Styhead Tarn and Derwent Water in the far distance

Looking South across Mickledore to Scafell

Looking East towards Crinkle Crags and Bowfell

Close up of Bowfell

Me on the summit of Scafell Pike

And then 20 minutes later !!!

The summit Trig Point just slightly away from the summit cairn.

A 360 degree view from the summit

Derwent Water / Keswick and the Skiddaw Massif

The Mosedale Horseshoe

I stayed on the summit for the best part of two hours during which the mist cleared to leave some fantastic views

On the way back down now before the light fades

The Lords Rake path up to Scafell from near Hollow Stones

A shimmering Wast Water from the path back down

Nearly back down now just as Kirk Fell becomes shrouded in mist

Going going ..gone

Night time falls as I leave Wasdale

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