19th April 2009 - Scafell
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.3 miles
Total ascent: 3525 ft
OS map used: OL6 - The English Lakes, South-western area
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Layby at Wha House Farm, Eskdale-Birdhow-Taw House-Scale Bridge-Sampson's Stones-Cam Spout-Foxes Tarn-Scafell-Long Green-Slight Side-Terrace Route-Layby at Wha House Farm, Eskdale
Only my second ever ascent of Scafell done on a fine spring day. Hazy though, so no long distance views.
I parked in the little car park opposite Wha House Farm in Eskdale for the start of this walk. I then took the footpath past Taw House to reach Scale Bridge and the zig-zags up by Scale Beck. The path was then followed into upper Eskdale to reach Sampson's Stones and then Cam Spout. I climbed up past Cam Spout to reach the gully to Foxes Tarn, from where I made the ascent of Scafell via Foxes Tarn. While at the summit I paid a visit to Symonds Knott to have a look at the rock architecture of Scafell Crag. My route of descent was by Long Green, Slight Side and the Terrace Route back to Eskdale.
Total ascent: 3525 ft
OS map used: OL6 - The English Lakes, South-western area
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Layby at Wha House Farm, Eskdale-Birdhow-Taw House-Scale Bridge-Sampson's Stones-Cam Spout-Foxes Tarn-Scafell-Long Green-Slight Side-Terrace Route-Layby at Wha House Farm, Eskdale
Only my second ever ascent of Scafell done on a fine spring day. Hazy though, so no long distance views.
I parked in the little car park opposite Wha House Farm in Eskdale for the start of this walk. I then took the footpath past Taw House to reach Scale Bridge and the zig-zags up by Scale Beck. The path was then followed into upper Eskdale to reach Sampson's Stones and then Cam Spout. I climbed up past Cam Spout to reach the gully to Foxes Tarn, from where I made the ascent of Scafell via Foxes Tarn. While at the summit I paid a visit to Symonds Knott to have a look at the rock architecture of Scafell Crag. My route of descent was by Long Green, Slight Side and the Terrace Route back to Eskdale.
Route map
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A view up Eskdale from near Scale Bridge. The crag on the left is Heron Crag.
Scale Gill
Above the zig-zags and the first view of the high fells ahead. Scafell, Scafell Pike and Ill Crag behind Silverybield Crag.
Esk Pike, Bowfell and the Long Top of Crinkle Crags
Zooming in on Esk Pike and Bowfell
Around a corner and I reach Great Moss. Scafell Pike, Ill Crag and the crag of Eskdale Buttress, named Dow Crag on the OS map.
and the same view across a bend in the River Esk. Sampson's Stones are below Cam Spout Crag on the left.
Esk Pike and its long south ridge and the pointed top of Bowfell
The same views from Sampson's Stones..
I've finally arrived at the summit of Scafell. A short distance away is Symonds Knott with Great Gable behind to the left.
Bowfell and Crinkle Crags
Scafell Pike, Esk Pike and Bowfell
Scafell Pike from Symonds Knott. Symonds Knott is only a short distance from the summit and it's well worth paying it a visit for the views and the chance to have a look down Deep Gill.
Great Gable. The obvious path below is the popular route up Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head.
Pillar and the fells around Mosedale
Scafell Pinnacle at the top of Deep Gill
Deep Gill
A view of Pillar and Mosedale past the Pinnacle
I've started on my way back and I'm on the subsidiary top of Long Green. The view across upper Eskdale to Esk Pike and Bowfell.
Scafell Pike and Ill Crag
The pointed top of Harter Fell and the next stop of Slight Side
A very hazy view to the south. The largest patch of water is Stony Tarn beyond Eskdale Fell.
Burnmoor Tarn and the Whin Rigg to Illgill Head ridge
The Coniston fells and Hard Knott
A last shot from Long Green of Bowfell and the Crinkle Crags
The last summit of the day, Slight Side. The path back up to Long Green can be seen on the left then the summits of Scafell Pike, Ill Crag and Esk Pike.
Bowfell and Crinkle Crags across Great Moss