A good year on Scafell Pike
A good year on Scafell Pike - 2025
With autumn fast approaching and our days now quietening down, it feels timely to reflect on what has been another fantastic year for Climb Scafell and Mountain Journeys. All thanks to so many lovely customers choosing to book their mountain adventures with us.
As with most years, we have welcomed a highly diverse customer base to the mountains. People from all over the world and all with their own reasons for choosing Scafell Pike. For some it is simply because it is the highest mountain in England. For others there have been family connections and historical reasons. And of course plenty of people out raising funds for so many good causes. Just last month we helped a partially sighted man reach the summit. Big thanks to our guide Richard for helping facilitate this.
We have welcomed many solo walkers again this year and groups of up to 30 walkers. Be assured we can cater for most group sizes and will always offer a safe guide to customer ratio.
We have also noticed a general rise in visitor numbers to the mountain, with Wasdale Head being the starting point of choice for many. High visitor numbers to such a remote valley with very limited services brings challenges. We can all play our part to help keep this valley beautiful and a place future generations will enjoy as we do. A few helpful tips include:
- Allow plenty of time to arrive, the road into Wasdale is very narrow
- Park considerately and do not block passing places or gates
- Join the National Trust - this gives free parking in Wasdale and all of their properties whilst helping them with funding
- Take only photos, leave only footprints. Littler is a problem and it is visitors that are leaving it, quite literally, all over the mountain and valley. Yesterday I saw a lady picking a broken and abandoned umbrella from Lingmell Gill and carry it down. Who has an umbrella on Scafell Pike?! Well done that lady. Lindsay, the Wasdale Womble, litter picks everyday. Let’s all do our bit and help out.
- Go prepared - believe me we see it all up there. Sandals, no water, no food, no jacket, no map, or maybe Google maps but that’s not enough. I sometimes hear people say ‘a bad day on the hills is better than a good day in the office’. No it isn’t. A bad day on the hills can lead to disaster. Plan ahead, go prepared, be flexible, and have an amazing time.
- If in doubt about your ability to navigate safely, or if wanting to have a stress free mountain experience, consider hiring a mountain guide. Shared amongst a small group of friends this can work out very cost effective and a guide will always add interest to the day.
Thankfully, almost all visitors simply want to be helpful and do the right thing. Thanks to you all for that.
The few photos included in this post give a quick overview of the fun we’ve had and all the magnificent sights enjoyed by our customers.
And before we sign off. Autumn can be a splendid time to visit The Lake District. The bracken is now turning golden brown, the air is wonderfully clear, and it’s a little quieter. If you’re tempted and we can help in any way please do get in touch.
All the best
Mark & Kate
Taking a leap on The Corridor Route - A good year on Scafell Pike (photo by Dave Ascough)
A sublime summit experience - A good year on Scafell Pike
Team on the summit - A good year on Scafell Pike
Descending to Wasdale - A good year on Scafell Pike
Wasdale from Brown Tongue
Wasdale shadows - A good year on Scafell Pike