Walk 10 - Scafell Pike

	Walk 10 - Scafell Pike - 5th April 2016
	Wainwright's Walking Guide to the Lake District Fells - Book 4 The Southern Fells
	#13 Scafell Pike 3209 ft		Distance	9.7 miles
			Time	8.5 hrs
			Lowest Point	400 ft
			Highest Point	3209 ft
			Total Ascent	3584 ft
	Walk Rating - tough

Mini Route Map
(larger map at the bottom)

Go to start on OS map

Go to start on Google


	15.45 We stayed at Seatoller House, a lovely little B&B which did meals all together at a set time around one large table. This was lovely, meeting and chatting with other guests over breakfast and dinner. One evening N also entertained on the piano after dinner! On the first afternoon we went for a walk up High Doat opposite the B&B and around the base of Castle Crag.

	15.56 On High Doat with Castle Crag in the distance. Above the wall to the left is the path we walked along.

	16.25 Tongue Gill coming down from Dale Head direction.

	16.38 Derwentwater from near Castle Crag. We walked around the base and returned to Seatoller along the river path.

	7.40 Morning view of Bessyboot from our bedroom window in Seatoller.

	11.13 Walking along the valley from Seathwaite in the rain before starting the climb.


	11.33 Panorama 108 Seathwaite


	12.11 Coming up Styhead Gill

	12.25 Crossing Styhead Gill

	12.29 Styhead Gill

	13.21 From the end of Styhead Tarn looking down Lingmell Beck towards Yewbarrow.

	14.22 Lunch stop on the corridor route.

	14.32 On the corridor route with Derwentwater in the distance.

	15.44 On the summit of Scafell Pike


		This is it: the Mecca of all weary pilgrims in Lakeland; the place of many ceremonies and celebrations, of bonfires and birthday parties; the ultimate; the supreme; the one objective above all others; the highest ground in England; the top of Scafell Pike. It is a magnet, not because of its beauty for this is not a place of beauty, not because of the exhilaration of the climb for there is no exhilaration in toiling upwards over endless stones, not because of its view for although this is good there are others better. It is a magnet simply because it is the highest ground in England.
		Alfred Wainwright - The Southern Fells - Scafell Pike 23


	16.17 Starting the descent. This was a sudden gap in the swirling clouds but for most of the path above Lingmell col there was little visibility.

	16.23 Frequent checks on the phone app to stay on the path around here. As we reach Lingmell Col its summit is just visible through the cloud..

	16.23 Styhead Tarn in the distance shows our direction home

	16.46 On the way back along the corridor route and we are under the cloud level again.

	16.51 Looking down Piers Gill

	16.53 Piers Gill and Lingmell

	16.57 Keswick and Derwentwater in the distance with Castle Crag poking up in front of it.

	17.23 Coming up to the tricky bit of the corridor route. Arrows scratched on the rock, above Mike, indicate the safe route.


		Scrambling is required here at a rocky section; curiously it has to be descended on the way up and ascended on the way down.
		Alfred Wainwright - The Southern Fells - Scafell Pike 16


	18.07 Panorama 109 Back at Styhead


	19.09 Stockley Bridge at the end of the day. Rushing back to make the 7.30 communal dinner time.

	To His Majesty An Homage by Inkpotpoet
	The pitter-patter sing-song accompanies early morning risers smiles alert to the prospect reaching high in the distance of mind a steady path worn by the intrepid weather of curiosity as Styhead Gill races past like quicksilver scarring the way to Seathwaite’s arms. Heavy clouds break open respite a cradle hewn from love’s mighty hands as Styhead Tarn looks down Lingmell Beck whilst each step along the corridor route reverberates a millennia before and softened rocks spring forth from the thirsting ground towards the Mecca of The Lakes: Scafell Pike. Its majesty adorned for all to see with its crown of thorns carved by hands from the skies that wrap themselves around those eager to pay homage.
	(C) A.J Westley 10th April 2023