Tuesday 5 July 2011

Scafell Pike with KR Guided Walks

Sunday's forecast was excellent so I was surprised that only four people were waiting for me in Keswick at 9am for the programmed walk up Scafell Pike.  Two I were expecting because they had been in contact by e-mail and the others turned up on the day having seen our programme at the Information Centre in Keswick.

To ensure we didn't end up with a rush to catch the last bus from Seatoller after our walk we took cars down to Seathwaite so we were on the fell by 10am.  Everywhere is very dry at the moment and there was very little water in the streams.  We followed the west bank of Sty Head Gill  with a bit of a scramble above Taylor Force and were able to climb the slabs in the stream for some of the way without getting wet - apart from Mick who slid in at one point but he soon dried off!

after a fun bit of scrambling above Taylor Force - don't look down!
a much more interesting path to Styhead than via Stockley Bridge



wonderful view back to Styhead from Corridor Route

From Sty Head Tarn we joined the throng up to Sty Head and then followed the Corridor Route along the flanks of Great End and Broad Crag, gently ascending all the way.  As we had made good time we diverted to the top of Lingmell for a quiet lunch before climbing to the summit of Scafell Pike. 



view to Great Gable - Skye really wants me to through a stick in the tarn; not much chance up here!
Lingmell is a much nicer and more interesting summit than that of Scafell Pike really with fabulous views in all directions.
to Styhead from Lingmell with superb pinacles above Piers Gill
From the bouldery wilderness that is Scafell Pike we boulder hopped our way towards Great End and down to Calf Cove - look out for the iron ring to tie up your pony next time you are there!  All down hill now over Esk Hause and down by Ruddy Gill and Grains Gill.  I could really have done with a cup of tea when we got down - such a pity that the tea room at Seathwaite Farm is no longer open.

Saturday 2 July 2011

Glorious Saturday on Jack's Rake

Not the fastest ascent of Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark but one of the most satisfying!  I first did this scramble a good many years ago with my three year old son bounding up just in front of me.  This time it was with five mum's who had left their families at home for the week and were keen to get a bit of adrenalin flowing!
pause for reflection half way up but don't look down! ( I didn't get much chance to take phoyos on the steep bits!)

A stroll across to Pike o'Stickle was easy and a time to enjoy the views