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Wasdale 2006

 

Ascent of Scafell Pike

 

 

 

Monday 14th August

Dark clouds loomed over the mountains when we woke at about 7 o'clock. The mist over Scafell Pike was low and it seemed that we would see nothing and possibly have difficulties with the route that we had planned. Dad got the cooked breakfast going and Pete noticed blue sky breaking through in the west. We agreed that Red Pike would be a possible objective if it was still clear by about 10am. However, as we ate sausages and bacon, something dramatic was happening outside. The forecast had predicted cloudy skies, but blue sky was appearing all over the place and - astonishingly - the mist was starting to lift over our biggest target: Scafell Pike. Pete and I decided to go for it, checked our kit, and set off up Styhead Pass. We felt fit after the previous day, and the trek to the pass seemed easier than before, the sun shining in the valley, and the summit ridge of Scafell Pike coming into sight in the distance. Now we had to turn onto the Corridor Route, which was quite a challenging path which most tourists don't take.

 

 

(Above: Peter on the Corridor Route up Scafell)

We'd met a very friendly couple on the way up the pass, and we talked to them quite often along the way, when they rested or we did. The Corridor Route cuts across the face of the mountain with huge drops to the right. About halfway along we got to the most difficult bit: a steep corner where you have to half climb half scramble down the rock to a narrow ledge, with a hundred foot drop below you if you slip. Dad went first, then Pete showed calm determination and soon we were on our way again. Gradually the path got easier as we approached the gap between Lingmell and our summit ridge. We stopped for some chocolate, and our friends took some photos for us.

 

(Above: Dad and Pete about to attempt the summit ridge to Scafell Pike)

Then we got started up the final ridge to the summit of Scafell Pike. There were amazing views of Great Gable and gradually we rose above it and neared the top. We felt fit and made good progress, finally reaching the highest point in England at ten to two. It had taken us three and a half hours.

 

(Above: Pete - the highest person in England - summit of Scafell Pike)

We had views in all directions and there was hardly any wind. We sat and ate our well-deserved lunch in the sunshine, and dad took some photos for the couple we had talked to on the way up. Now we could see the huge cliffs of Scafell. In any directions we looked we could see mountains. To the west, the sea. Meanwhile Pete had got up on the huge pile of stones at the summit and was talking to mum and Rebekah on his mobile phone.

 

(Above: Peter on Scafell Pike summit with the crags of Scafell behind)

(Above: Peter on Scafell Pike summit with Great Gable behind ... Below: Dad the same)

 

Finally we set off down the tourist route, under the dark cliffs of Scafell and down, down, down with Wastwater gleaming in the sunlight. Up above, the mists closed in again - we had chosen exactly the right time to go up the mountain.

 

(Above: Peter on the way down Scafell Pike with Wastwater beyond ... Below: Dad the same)

 

We cut off right, round the side of the hill, and the white walls of our cottage came into sight, twinkling in the sunshine in the distance. We crossed a footbridge over a completely dried up riverbed and headed across a field to arrive at Wasdale Head where we bought ice-cold drinks. Back at the cottage we rested, then went out to play frisbee where we broke the world record (well, our record) with a stunning 58. Soon after we witnessed an unusual Lakeland event. The quiet of the evening was broken by the sound of yelping dogs. An aniseed trail had been laid across the bracken slopes around our cottage, and with Rachel and her boyfriend we watched the dogs, leaping up and down through the undergrowth before they returned to cheering crowds and sounding horns at Wasdale Head.

 

(Above and Below: Pete approaching Wasdale Head)

 

(Above: Pete pointing towards out cottage ... Below: zoom shot of our cottage)

 

Pete and I then went indoors. Peter had a bath while I prepared a roast beef supper which we ate with about a million roast potatoes. We'd agreed that we'd have this meal if we managed to climb Scafell Pike, so we sat down in a cheerful mood, our legs tired, but feeling we'd had a great day. After supper our cards rivalry continued, and by the end of the evening Peter led 34-30. The forecast was bad for tomorrow, so we planned to have a well-earned rest day.

 

Chilling Out

 

 

Tuesday 15th August

Sure enough, we awoke to drizzle and mist way down on the hillsides around us, so we knew that this would be a day to rest and recover. After our usual cooked breakfast we walked to Wasdale Head, where we posted postcards and bought supplies for our day of chilling out. Basically we ate snacks, drank fizzy drinks, watched videos and played cards all day long. It was a really lazy day. For supper we had cheesy pasta. By nightfall the mist had come down even lower, and the whole valley seemed dark and mysterious. We had hot chocolate over our final games of cards. The score was 52-52. Then we went to bed.

 

 

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