Hiking Scafell Pike - winter on the Scafell range
Hiking Scafell Pike - The highest, the biggest, the coldest!
So far this year we’ve had the pleasure of guiding lots of people to the summit of Scafell Pike and via a variety of routes. Conditions so far this year have been challenging at best, with some days being warm and settled, but many being very windy, cold, damp, and even snowy. This week it has been snowy up high and with temperatures plummeting to minus 10’C winter definitely made a comeback.
One of the many advantages of hiring a guide for a day in the mountains is we can adapt a walking route to best suit the conditions and that’s something that has been needed quite a bit in recent weeks. Mostly due to the intense cold. A job well done for us is providing our customers with a memorable and safe day in the mountains. We always aim for any objectives to be met and do our very best on this, but the priority will always be safety.
Hiking Scafell Pike - Great Gable from Scafell Pike
Reaching the summit is optional, getting back to base safely is not. In recent weeks we have been to the summit of Scafell Pike many times with lots of people, thanks to all those who have joined us, it has been a genuine pleasure to meet you all.
So this weekend, I was heading up to the summit from Wasdale with a father & son team, whilst our associates guide Dave was aiming for the same objective but starting from Seathwaite, also with a father & son team.
We all reached the summit and all making good time, especially so given the extremely cold conditions. I had briefed my team that weather would likely deteriorate by early afternoon and we should do our best to be off the high ground by then. This paid dividends as we were in fact back at base before the heavy rains arrived.
For anyone high on the mountain at that time the conditions would have been brutal. Our route was adapted to allow a slightly quicker ascent whilst still giving the guys plenty of opportunity for photos, rest stops, and food. We had an absolute ball of a time out there, and during the walk I was able to impart lots of knowledge and fun facts about the mountain and the area in general. This is another benefit of hiring a guide.
And looking back to a couple of weeks ago, during another very chilly ascent with a family. One of the walkers with us had taken ill soon after leaving the summit.
With temperatures being at about minus 10’C quick action was required and that’s exactly what happened. As a 1st aider I was able to make an initial assessment of the likely causes and offer possible solutions. This quick thinking and speedy action brought about a full recovery very quickly. The condition could and very likely would have deteriorated quite rapidly without appropriate intervention and a full scale mountain rescue would have been needed. We were able to avert all that and the whole family were able to enjoy the rest of their walking day.
An ascent of Wansfell Pike - Hiking Scafell Pike
When the unexpected happens, we carry various items of group safety equipment to help ensure that as best as possible everyone remains comfortable. We carry a group shelter that is an appropriate size for the group we are with and we always have a 1st aid kit. Naturally we carry a map and compass too, and these are useful for times when we may need to divert from a more popular route or make a last minute change during a walk. All things we are thinking about constantly, so walkers who choose to book days out with us don’t need to have these worries and considerations, they can just enjoy the day in a totally stress free way.
Oh and we always check the weather forecast prior to a guided walk, our main resource for this is the Mountain Weather Information Service.
Hopefully over the coming days temperatures will begin to climb again and balmy days can be enjoyed once more on the mountains.
One thing the cold doesn’t affect is the view, and we have being enjoying some amazing sights of late, check out a few of the photos here.
Thanks for reading
Mark
A sunny day on The Pudding Stone - Hiking Scafell Pike
Levers Water Beck - Hiking Scafell Pike
A sunny spot for lunch - Hiking Scafell Pike