|
My final walk of the weekend
was to my favourite Lakeland peak - Scafell Pike, coupled with visits to
peaks adjacent to the route that I had not visited. I got a little excited
as I drove through Barrowdale as I could see a light covering of snow on
the tops. (It may seem odd, but I have often wanted to walk the fells in
the snow.) |
|
No problem parking at
Seathwaite. I started out for Stockley Bridge, turned left then followed
the path leading up Grains Gill. The path became steeper the further into
the Gill I went. Great End soon loomed large and, thankfully, clear of
clouds.
(photo: Great End)
|
|
|
At the top of Grains Gill I turned right, passed Sprinkling Tarn,
to the start of the Corridor route.
(Sprinkling Tarn) |
|
|
After crossing the first gully, the
path steadily climbed with Great End and Broad Crag to the left, and
Lingmell - my first Peak - ahead and to the right.
(photo: Lingmell above Piers Gill) |
 |
Just before Piers Gill
there was a bit of a scramble down some rocks to a ledge path that
traversed around a large gully. At Piers Gill the path passed below
Scafell Pike and up to Lingmell Col. The temperature cooled considerably
the higher I went, so I stopped to put on my top layer of clothing ....
including my wooly hat and gloves.
(photo: Looking back along the Corridor Route, with Great Gable in
the distance) |
|
At Lingmell Col I followed the
path to the top of Lingmell. The view was spectacular from the top, north
into Barrowdale, south into Wasdale and beyond.
(photo: view north from the top of Lingmell) |
|
After a wee drink of water
it was back down to the col and join the path leading up Scafell Pike.
Although the path was for the most part hidden by snow, there was the odd
foot print to follow. (my navigation checks ensured the ‘boots’ were
heading in the right direction) There were a few people on the way to the
top from both the Corridor Route and Wasdale direction.
(photo: Scafell and Mickledore) |
|
As I approached
the top a few wisps of clouds shrouded both Scafell Pike and Scafell. Thankfully, the clouds soon passed over leaving it clear for my arrival.
(photo: Resting on Scafell Pike) |
 |
I
made my way to the bench mark, then shared a stone wind break with a
couple of walkers where I had a welcome lunch break.
(photo: Clouds passing over Mickledore) |
 |
I didn’t sit around too long
as it was rather chilly, so it was on rucksack and headed north to
continue on my planned route. I dropped down to Little Narrow
Cove, up to the rocky area to the right of Broad Crag, then to the top of
Broad Crag. Continuing north across the rocks I then headed east over to
Ill Crag.
(photo: Looking across to Ill Crag)
|
 |
The views down Eskdale and along to Windermere
were very
pleasant. I ‘parked’ myself on comfortable rock in the sun, then
enjoyed an apple and mars bar while savouring the scenery across Esk Pike
to Bowfell and Crinkle Crags. It was so peaceful I
could happily have sat there for hours. However, I still had one more peak
to visit before my return, Great End, so after a relaxing 15 minutes it
was up and back on the track to Great End summit.
(photo: Looking down into Eskdale) |
 |
A
relatively short walk brought me
to Calf Cove then up to Great End. Rather a barren flat top, though good
views down to Derwent Water and across to Great and Green Gable. I returned
to Calf Cove, followed the path to Esk Hause then left down to Grains
Gill. It was, then, literally all down hill to Stockley Bridge and on to
the car.
(photo: Syhead Tarn and the 'Gables')
|
 |
| It had been an excellent days
walking, perfect weather, and new peaks visited. All that I needed was a warm
shower, a pint of beer and a hearty meal. Sadly, this was the last walk of my
weekend visit. Still, I had achieved a good few miles and covered a few new
peaks over the 3 days. I could only look forward to my next visit. |
