Climb Scafell - Guided Walks - Blog

Scafell Pike - The Advantages of having a Guide

7/7/2023

#scafell-pike-from-wasdale

Ascending to Mickledore

There are all sorts of reasons why people might choice to hire a guide for ascending Scafell Pike. The most common is for navigational help.
Knowing the mountain as well as we do and being experienced navigators, we can certain offer this. We can also take you off the beaten track, should you wish to explore the quieter parts of the mountain. When seeing off from Wasdale Head, many choose to stay on the path to Lingmell Col to reach the summit and that's all fine of course. But we can show you so much more.
By deviating from this route we can follow a lesser known path under the dramatic crags of Scafell to reach the impressive col of Mickledore. This route is marginally more challenging, but so much more rewarding. On a misty day it is one of the most atmospheric places I have ever been to. Clouds swirls across the cliff faces and consuming the deep gullies between the cliffs, it's amazing.

Or it may be that Scafell Pike is shrouded in thick mist and you're really wanting a summit view. So we can deviate over to neighbouring Lingmell. This is a slightly smaller summit within the Scafell range and is very often cloud free. A visit to this one also makes for a nice circular walk via the broad and grassy ridge of Lingmell.

But maybe the summit view doesn't bother you, it's the summit tick that's important. We understand this too. When in thick mist, the summit of Scafell Pike can be a confusing place and reaching the top is only far the job. Knowing the way down is even more important. Our guides are with you every step of the way and know the mountain incredibly well. This takes away any worry about route finding no matter what the weather is doing.

Add to this the facts, features, and anecdotes we will retell along the way and all in all the benefits of a guide start to become clear. For many people we aren't an essential, but we can always add positively to a mountain day. Oh, and we always carry essential safety equipment :-)

Thanks for reading. Do get in touch if we can be of any help.

Mark

#hire-a-guide-for-scafell-pike

Off the beaten path on the Scafell range

#scafell-pike-routes

Thick mist on Scafell Pike from Lingmell

Scafell Pike For Families - A magical Wonderland

21/2/2023

#scafell-pike-family-walks

Enjoying the cloud inversion from the summit - Scafell Pike for Families

Half term week brought some rather delightful weather to the Lakes. Whilst we've been away in Spain (raining quite a lot here) those visiting the Lakes have been treated to stella conditions. The best of the days reserved for when Zoe and her family chose to climb Scafell Pike from Wasdale.

Our associate guide Kristina was with the family for the day and after seeing their swift and sure-footed progress up the Brown Tongue path asked if they would like to try a more adventurous route to the summit of Scafell Pike.

So they veered off the main path to Lingmell Col and instead set their sights for Mickledore. This smaller path hugs the huge cliffs of Scafell Crag and is a seriously dramatic place. The final scramble up to Mickledore proved to be fun for all and especially so for young Oscar. Scrambling in a safe environment is a great way to introduce and engage youngsters to the outdoor and mountain environment. It's fun and play-like, with kids being naturally good at it.

Bluebird conditions on the summit and a sea of cloud below. These are the days we go out for.

If you're considering to walk up Scafell Pike or any other Lake District mountain and would like the re-assurance of having a guide with you, please do get in touch. We'd really like to help.

And if it's more adventurous activities you're after, please check out our Activities website Mountain Journeys

Thanks for reading

Mark

#scafell-pike

Scafell Pike for families

#scafell-pike-summit

The summit plateau - Scafell Pike for Families

Pinnacle Ridge - St. Sunday crag

14/11/2022

#scrambling-pinnacle-ridge-lake-district

Approaching the final pinnacle on the ridge

There are many excellent climbs and scrambles here in the Lake District. Some routes stand out more than others and as a scramble / mountaineering route Pinnacle Ridge on St.Sunday crag is about as iconic and classic as they come.

Over the years we've taken many people over this fine ridge and whatever the weather it's a great day out. Here's a little more information about what a day on Pinnacle Ridge is like.

As with any mountain route, the approach walk is a significant part of the day. Setting off from Patterdale the walk will usually take around 1.5 hours and covers some pretty steep terrain. Thankfully the initial walk makes for a nice warm-up, but once beyond the Elmhow plantation the ground steepens....a lot.
The now vague path zig-zags up the hillside and into Blind Cove, from here a rising traverse leads below the steep crags of St. Sunday crag. A small cairn at the base of a scree fan marks the final ascent up to the start of the ridge.

Now at the 'gearing up point' it's time to get a helmet and harness on. We would often rope up here too.

The ridge starts easy and soon becomes blocky with lots of small pinnacles of rock. A well worn route can easily be seen as can the many crampon scratches from countless winter ascents. The first proper tricky section is up a huge flake of rock that juts out over the abyss. The climbing is still mostly straightforward but the holds have now become smaller. A large ledge lies at the top of this and it's a fine place to take a rest and enjoy the views if weather allows. An easy section follows and this leads left of a huge pinnacle, soon arriving below steep terrain with an obvious corner. Things get a bit more serious now, this is steep and has a few tricky moves. If the rock is damp this can feel much harder than a scramble. Thankfully the difficulties are short-lived and another commodious ledge is gained and this affords a wonderful view over the huge pinnacle.
The next section includes a short traverse that leads to the next pinnacle, this is the photogenic spot. A down-climb is required from this. More easy scrambling up and left lead to the final challenge. A variety of finishes can be savoured. My preferred option is to trend leftwards onto a rocky ramp that leads to good belays just below the top of the climb.

A large platform yes just above and this is a good spot to take off the harness and put the rope away. To descend a small path veers up and left to gain the main path leading to/from the summit of St. Sunday crag. For those wanting to tick the summit turn right and for those wanting to head straight back to the valley turn left. It's about an hour or so to reach Patterdale.

All in all this is a fabulous day out that can be enjoyed at many times of the year and in many weather conditions. We would recommend avoiding on very windy days though.

Thanks for reading.

If wanting to have a go at this ridge or any other mountain activities here in the Lake District please don't hesitate to get in touch. We can offer guiding or happy to offer advice to those wanting to go under their own steam.

Mark & Kate

#pinnacles-of-pinnacle-ridge

Kate with the pinnacles in the background

#pinnacle-ridge-crux-corner

Tacking the crux corner

#lake-district-pinnacle-ridge

The exposed flake

#guided-mountain-days-and-activities-lake-district

Views towards the Helvellyn range

All smiles at the top. Pretty excellent weather for mid-November

Hiking to Scafell Pike - the quiet way

30/10/2022

#scafell-pike-walk-via-piers-gill

The dramatic cleft of Piers Gill

We offer a wide variety of route choice for our Scafell Pike days and are always happy to discuss and describe these with people prior to booking. This allows customers to make an informed decision, picking the route best suited to aspirations. We think it works pretty well.
Want a long route passing lots of high mountain terrain? Start from either Seathwaite or the Old Dungeon Ghyll. During dry spells in the summer you can add in Eskdale to this, just be prepared for some rougher terrain with this one.
But for many, starting in the Wasdale valley is going to make most sense. The scenery is continuously wonderful, the route is fairly short, and there are options to extend if wanted.

It is from Wasdale we started from this week. But on a less trodden path, in fact the path is occasionally non-existent. Initially the Moses Trod path is good and clear, but to stay on this is to go to Styhead, so we venture off the well trodden path, deep in the Wasdale valley and aiming for the huge cleft of Piers Gill. A vague path tries to follow the water course but it is only occasionally successful.
Peering through the mist we catch a glimpse of a huge waterfall - it has been raining a lot - this is Greta Gill. Soon we will have to cross this river as it is Piers Gill that we will follow, this is an even more dramatic sight. Once across the river a small path clings to the side of Piers Gill, we negotiate rocky outcrops to gain height and marvel at the wonderful landscape surrounding us.
Soon our tiny path joins up with the Corridor route from Styhead, we stay on this for all of about 100 metres. Keeping in theme for the day, we turn off the main track and forge a route up below Dropping Crag. This ascends steeply to a col where we turn right for the final pull to the summit.

It is the middle of October half term week and we are yet to pass or see another walker on what is one of the most popular mountains in the Lake District.

A few fellow walkers huddle at the summit. It is cool and breezy, thick mist obscures the view, but overall we have enjoyed fantastic scenery today. At this point, if unfamiliar with the mountain a map & compass will prove to be vital pieces of equipment as all the terrain looks the same. I have walked up Scafell Pike hundreds of times and still always carry map & compass. If you choose not to, prepare to walk in the wrong direction because it's very likely to happen.

We follow the masses on the Lingmell Col route into the Wasdale valley. Easy, if rather rocky walking takes us back down out of the mist for those splendid views over Wast Water.

There has been some wind and rain today, lots of low cloud too. But we were well equipped and prepared for all this, so a wonderful day could still be enjoyed. Thanks to Ian for the top banter and good company.

If wanting to walk up Scafell Pike and would like any help / advice we are happy to offer this. We can offer route advice, equipment suggestions and more. Lots of people choose to walk without a guide and this is of course completely fine. We are happy to help you too, just ask. If not hiring a guide, please please please take a map & compass and know how to use them, this will save the volunteers at Wasdale Mountain Rescue from un-necessary callouts.

Thanks for reading
Mark

#guided-hikes-on-scafell-pike-lake-district

The route involves short sections of scrambling

#summit-of-scafell-pike-on-a-misty-day

View from the summit can often be like this

Autumnal magic on Scafell Pike

21/10/2022

#scafell-pike-guided-hikes

Just wow!

As I drove over to Wasdale Head from Ambleside the rain lashed down all around, the rivers were in spate and the roads glistening with water. The cloud level was very low and all the ingredients were here for a properly damp day in the mountains. Today I was meeting father and son Dan & Alfie who were super keen for a mountain adventure on Scafell Pike. They had camped at Wasdale the previous night and heard the rain for much of the night. Oh dear, it's going to be a wet one.
But as we set off towards Brown Tongue, the rain abated, the air was still and the clouds began to part. For the following couple of hours we were treated to some of the finest conditions I have ever experienced on Scafell Pike. Thick cloud would blow across Mickledore from Eskdale, smothering the crags of Scafell to create wonderfully atmospheric conditions that are a delight and privilege to see.
Eventually we did become enveloped in the thick cloud and views disappeared, but no matter, we'd had our fill. Descending from the rocky summit of Scafell Pike, a lone walker approached and looking beyond him I noticed that once more the mountains were peeking out of the clouds, the view was beautiful. Not that any of us needed it, but this was an uplifting experience.
We cruised down the mountain, chatting about the landscape, flora and fauna, and erosion control as we went. For the last half an hour or so it rained on us, but even this wasn't heavy. Once back in the car and heading home the rain returned more forcefully and didn't stop all day/night.

A good luck day for sure. And one spent with two very uplifting and positive people, Alfie I'm sure you'll go on to do great things with your life. Thanks both for the good company.

If looking for a guided walk to Scafell Pike or any other Lake District mountain please do get in touch.

Thanks for reading.
Mark

#how-rocky-is-scafell

Views from the summit plateau

Walking Scafell Pike - what's it really like?

30/9/2022

#scafell-pike-walk-from-langdale

The rocky summit of Scafell Pike looking towards Scafell

Many walkers prefer to ascend Scafell Pike from the Wasdale valley. And this is a route we recommend as it is more suitable for more people. So this is the route we are going to focus on in this blog post.

How long does the walk take?
This depends on many factors. As a guideline, if starting from Wasdale Head, allowing around 5 hours in total is sufficient for the round trip. If completing a 3 Peaks challenge, you'll be aiming for about 4 hours in total.

Will I find it difficult?
Due to the rocky nature of the mountain, many consider this to be a challenging day even though the actual distance is short at only 5 miles. The ascent is steep and can feel relentless. The terrain is mostly rough, with a lot of loose boulders. However, If you are fit and determined, it is very achievable and highly enjoyable.

Is Scafell Pike suitable for kids?
This is a question we are often asked. It is a tricky one to answer as it's not clear cut. In short, it can be. Many youngsters have a great day on Scafell Pike and love the satisfaction gained from the achievement. If your kids are already used to being outdoors and in the mountains, then they are likely to have a great time on Scafell Pike. But this isn't a great first time option.

Is it a good first mountain?
It isn't the ideal first mountain! Scafell Pike is very rocky and very steep. Walk some of the lower and easier mountains first, this will enable your body to cope better when you do. Walking for 10 miles on undulating terrain or smaller hills is incomparable to even a 5 mile walk on Scafell Pike, this is much tougher. We can arrange guided walks on any Lakeland mountains.

Am I fit enough?
A good level of fitness is required. A day on Scafell Pike will consist of approximately 4 - 6 hours of mountain walking. You need to feel comfortable carrying a small day-sack and walking for extended periods and during adverse weather conditions. Complete some training walks before you arrive. Time invested in training is time well spent.

What is the weather like?
It's no secret the Lake District is quite a damp part of the world. And Scafell Pike is the wettest part of the Lake District. It rains a lot. The western mountains here in Cumbria create their own weather systems and warm air arriving off the Irish Sea will rise, cool, condense and rain. This makes the region stunningly beautiful with an abundance of colour and many water features, including big waterfalls. There are plenty of pleasantly dry days too though.
The temperature on the summit is typically 10C cooler than in the valley. So warm clothing is always needed, even during summer

What to wear / bring
Waterproof jacket - ideally with taped seams. A lightweight cagoule will not be sufficient to keep out heavy rain.
Waterproof over-trousers - as above.
Lightweight / quick drying walking trousers. Not jeans or anything similar to jeans.
Fleece jacket / top.
Wicking / quick drying ‘sports’ t-shirt or similar. As a base layer.
Hat and gloves - at least 1 set per person. During the cooler months, please bring 2 sets per person.
Hiking boots with ankle support - these should be well fitting and in good condition with plenty of tread depth.
Food and water - a minimum of 1 litre per person.
A small / medium sized backpack to carry essentials.
Personal medical supplies - for example, if any participants are prescribed an inhaler for Asthma, this must be carried during the walk.

Why are you climbing the mountain?
For some, choosing Scafell Pike is simply down to it being the biggest in England. We think that's a good enough reason. If you're looking for a peaceful summit and empty footpaths, this isn't the best choice, we can advise on many more Lakeland summits that will fit this better.
If wanting magnificent views throughout the walk and especially from the summit, Scafell Pike is also a good choice. Although a clear summit cannot be guaranteed! When it is cloud free it is a very hard act to follow.

The Route from Wasdale:
From the National Trust car park at Lake Head a footpath follows by Lingmell Gill. Initially this is on a compact surface and not steep. Going through a gate the path crosses a grassy field before returning to a compact surface and soon another gate is encountered as a footpath joins in from the left (coming from The Green at Wasdale Head). Once through this gate the path becomes engineered and the rocky steps are often at an inconvenient angle and can be slippery when wet. After only a few minutes the river crossing is reached. During normal flow rate it is straightforward to cross the river here and rarely is it necessary to get wet feet. After heavy rainfall this changes and the river can become impassable or dangerous to cross. About 30 minutes to here.
A clear path is reached on the far side of the river, this is the first steep section and follows the feature known as Brown Tongue. Take small steady steps and just keep going, this section is likely to take around 30 minutes at a steady pace.
As the angle of ascent eases there is a split in the path and you have reached the start of the Hollow Stones boulder field. Most will turn left here and that's what we describe here. Heading left at the fork the path soon becomes very rocky as it ventures into the boulder field. Thankfully the angle is now rather more pleasant even if the route isn't quite as clear. The scenery has now opened up much more, it's pretty epic to be honest.
Alas the easy angled terrain of Hollow Stones will come to an end and another rocky path forges towards Lingmell Col, soon to become a more compact path that zigzags up to the col. Total time through Hollow Stones to this point will be around 30 minutes.
Lingmell Col can be a very windy place, so it's well worth putting on an extra layer prior to reaching this point and have a rest in the lee of the wind. A level section of path awaits, but only for a few minutes before it veers off rightwards for the final assault on the summit. This is the rockiest and steepest section yet, but don't despair, there isn't far to go. The path becomes indistinct as it wiggles skyward around various rocky buttresses. After about another 30 minutes a huge cairn (pile of stones) is reached and this marks the edge of the summit plateau. From here it's a stones throw to the top and on a clear day the summit is clearly visible. The ground remains very rocky and loose so remain cautious with footing. About a further 25m of ascent gains the very top of this super rocky mountain.
Well Done! About 2 hours up :-)
Retrace your steps down. Or if with a guide or you have map & compass with you why not explore the various other options for the return journey.

Should I hire. a guide?
Whilst having a guide is not a necessity for scaling Scafell Pike, there are plenty of advantages to doing so. Just a few of these benefits include:

A guide takes care of the route planning
Will navigate safely through the varied terrain
Can easily divert to other routes/mountains if needed
Will always carry safety equipment including a First Aid Kit and Storm Shelter
Can advise on the best route for you / your group
Will show points of interest and share knowledge throughout the day
Can advise on progress, what's coming next, and how much further to go

I hope this has been helpful and of interest. Please do get in touch if we can be of further help.
Mark

#walking-scafell-pike-from-wasdale-how-difficult

Walkers making their way through the Hollow Stones boulder field

#walking-scafell-pike-in-the-cloud

Heading back towards Langdale on a misty day

Summer still clinging on....even in Cumbria

1/9/2022

#scafell-pike-mountain-guide

Attempting a selfie! During a guided walk last weekend for a family raising funds for the British Heart Foundation

It's been a fantastic summer and we've been super busy throughout. Thank you to all who joined us for guided walks and all the other fun activities we offer. We sincerely appreciate your custom and support.

The number of blog entries has dwindled a little in recent times and there's been a few reasons for this. Firstly, we haven't had enough spare time. Secondly, I've been busy putting the finishing touches to a new guidebook I wrote covering the Costa Blanca area of Spain, read more about it on the Cicerone website
Or to hear me chatting about the place try this link - podcast

Back to Scafell Pike and the Lakeland mountains. The summer has blessed us with many sunny days and this has been perfect for spending time in the mountains. Many many people have been doing so and it's great to see. Many choose Scafell Pike without realising there are other mountain walks available nearby and this is always worth considering, as Lingmell and Scafell are just next door to the mighty 'Pike and much quieter whilst still offering wonderful views and a great day out.
But of course for many it's about reaching the top of England, the highest summit, the rocky one, the mighty one, the 'big hill' - Scafell Pike. And we're here to help you achieve that.

At the weekend I was guiding a family to the summit of Scafell Pike and they were doing this as a fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation. They all wore the BHF t-shirts and this proved to be very helpful as they received donations from fellow walkers during the day. This isn't something I've seen often and was uplifting to see :-)

On another note, the footpath works above Hollow Stones are progressing very well and it looks like a new, improved and wider path will soon be ready for walkers to use. Big thanks to the National Trust workers for doing this seriously tough job.

Thanks for reading, I'm away for some rest now ahead of a busy weekend of guiding on Scafell Pike, including some 3 Peaks challenge support.
And remember, if you're wanting a guide for Scafell Pike or any other Lakeland mountain, please do get in touch.

Mark & Kate

#guided-walks-from wasdale-to-scafell-pike

Pikes crag on the left and Scafell crag taking centre stage

#scafell-pike-summit-during-guided-walk-from-wasdale

Final steps to the summit

Sunrise walks in the Lake District

8/8/2022

#lake-district-sunrise-walk

Red Screes summit - before breakfast

It's been a very busy year so far, hence not so many blog updates. We've been on Scafell Pike and many other Lakeland mountains a lot this season, showing many lovely people these fine mountains. Thank you all :-)

A couple of weeks ago I was due to take a family to the summit of Scafell Pike so they could enjoy the sunrise from a mountain top. Weather conditions were not looking perfect for us, so we diverted to a smaller but still significant summit in the hope that staying slightly lower and further east there was a higher chance of some clearer skies. So we set off from Kirkstone Pass for the summit of Red Screes at around 3am. Sadly the clouds didn't part, but seeing the bright lights of Windermere and the coast in the distance was some consolation. A big achievement was felt by all at the summit. All now also thankful that daylight had arrived and we could actually see the path and where to put our feet. A leisurely stroll back to Kirkstone with much chatter about how big breakfast was going to be and who was in charge of cooking it, all good fun :-)
Big thanks to the Given family for being such great company. I hope to see you again sometime.

If wanting a guided walk onto Scafell Pike or any other Lakeland mountain, we can help and would be delighted to do so. Please call or e-mail anytime

Mark

#red-screes-guided-walk-at-night

Head torches on for our very early morning ascent

Winter returns......but only briefly

12/4/2022

#guided-walk-to-scafell-pike-from-wasdale

Descending to Hollow Stones

It's been a busy time here at Climb Scafell and a real mixed bag of weather to go with it. From shorts & t-shirt sunbathing on the summit, to full winter kit and minus 15C in the wind and all sorts in-between. Keeps us on our toes that's for sure.

Many of the people we've been with recently have been well able to get themselves up and down the mountain without a guide, but all benefitted from having a guide on hand. Why?

Why hire a guide?
Well, the list is pretty long. Here are a few reasons:
1) we can advise on route choice in advance of your visit. Each route is quite different and depending on where you wish to start from may influence where you choose to stay and keep drive times to a minimum for you.

2) We will take care of all the navigation. On a clear day, navigating is fairly straightforward. But clear conditions can and do change very rapidly with mist and cloud covering the mountain down to a low level. This does happen without warning. When covered in mist, the Scafell range is a place where efficient navigation is required in order to stay safe. Don't take our word for it, have a look at the call-out list from Wasdale Mountain Rescue team

3) Sometimes, due to weather conditions or fitness, it may be sensible and more enjoyable to divert to a nearby mountain instead. Never a decision we would take lightly and always something that would be discussed with participants on a walk. There are times when summiting Lingmell or Great Gable will be a far nicer experience. Being able to read into the mountain weather reports and our 15 years experience on the mountain help us make these decisions.

4) A guide will always carry essential safety equipment including a storm shelter and 1st aid kit. We also always carry a map and compass.

5) For anyone new to the area or the mountains in general, there is so much we can show you. A knowledgable guide will be able to show you points of interest, have a few mountain stories to share, and identify local wildlife and flora.

Okay, so these are a few of the pros of hiring a guide. Are there any downsides?
There is a cost involved ie we need paying. Thankfully our daily rate is reasonable - well we think so anyway. About the same amount as the taxi ride from Seathaite to Wasdale.

We aren't due back on Scafell Pike for a few days now. As it's Easter hols we are mostly running Family Adventure Days in the valleys. Rock climbing, Abseiling, Scrambling and the like.

If you're planning to visit Scafell Pike or any other Lakeland mountains and would prefer to have a guide. Please do get in touch, we'd be very happy to help.

Thanks for reading

Mark

#guide-for-scafell-pike-lake-district

Summit of Scafell Pike

#scafell-pike-from-seathwaite-the-corridor-route

High above the Corridor Route with a sunny Lingmell behind us

Blue sky day for a charity challenge hike

20/3/2022

#guided-walks-to-scafell-pike-from-wasdale

The dramatic crags of Scafell and Scafell Pike

Yesterday we were on Scafell Pike guiding a group of 20 walkers all out raising funds to be used to help the people of Yemen. I'm always inspired to hear of the efforts people will go to to fundraise for good causes. Everyone involved was on a bus by 4am to travel up to the Lake District for this day event. So even by the time we met up in Wasdale, there was much tiredness amongst the team. But determination shone through and we were soon on our way to Scafell Pike.

Due to time constraints and some traffic issues on the way, our late set out time did mean a plan 'b' was going to be needed and a few conversations later a variety of plans had been devised in order that everyone got the most possible from the experience whilst still feeling they had put in maximum effort.

An advance party set a course to the summit of Lingmell. This is a nearby satellite peak of Scafell Pike. Whilst it is a little smaller, it is always much quieter and the views are every bit as good.

I took some of the team through the Hollow Stones boulder field before skirting over to Lingmell shoulder and descending from there. And Kristina stayed with the remainder of the team and made it to Hollow Stones, taking a more leisurely pace to fully soak up. the splendid views.

Thanks to Richie and Kristina for your help guiding, much appreciate your professionalism and experience as always.
And thanks too to Sulayman for organising and co-ordinating the whole event.

Whether you're an individual or a group of 50+ walkers we can cater for your Scafell Pike guiding requirements. We know these mountains and the rest of the Lake District very well indeed. I lost count long ago how many times I've been to the summit of Scafell Pike. But it is in the hundreds and from all sides

So if you're considering tackling this mountain and would like the reassurance of a guide. Please do get in touch. We can discuss all route options and suggest the best for you.

Mark

#3-peaks-challenge-charity-hike-scafell-pike

Taking a short cut over to Lingmell