In November I spent a great couple of days up in the Lake District with a group of 5 friends on their annual walking weekend. The objective for the weekend was England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike.
The walk started off at Wasdale Head and we slowly ascended the footpath that runs alongside Lingmell Gill up towards Hollow Stones. This is the normal route for walkers ascending Scafell Pike as part of the National 3 Peaks Challenge. During the months of April-September each year thousands of people will ascend/descend Scafell Pike using this route during day and night-time.
On this occasion the route was fairly quiet and we made steady progress towards Hollow Stones. During this initial ascent a couple of the group began to struggle with old sporting injuries (knee) from there football playing days. As part of my Mountain Leader kit I always carry walking poles and these proved to be indispensable in alleviating some of the pressure the guys were putting on their knees and thus allowing the group to continue at a steady pace.
After reaching Hollow Stones we stopped for lunch and were rewarded with stunning views looking back over Wastwater and beyong towards the Atlantic. We then continued up towards the Col between Lingmell and Scafell Pike.The Col offered a fantastic view across towards Great Gable and the Northern Fells beyond.
The summit was then reached as we continued over a rough mountain top plateau to the large summit cairn and trig point at 977m.
After a short stop at the summit allowing us time to soak up the stunning panorama we continued over the top and descended steeply on a rough path to the col below Broad Crag.
From here we descended a loose and rocky path down Little Narrowcove Gill towards a beautiful U-shaped glacial valley. We then continued along the valley floor to Great Moss.
After wading across the River Esk it was easy walking along the valley floor following the River out towards the road and Eskdale.
Upon reaching the road we walked a short distance before being collected our B and B’s own American Army Truck.
Mountain and International Expedition Leader 