I had a look outside on Saturday morning before breakfast. The clouds were well above 2,500 feet. The forecast was for much lower clouds - but I didn't believe that - the day looked pretty good. We all slept like logs - exhaustion makes any bed comfortable! After breakfast I waxxed the boots while the sandwich-making team were hard at work in the dining room. We got the all clear for the sore knees and we agreed to stick with the original plan.
Leaving Eskdale Hostel, Uploaded by M+MD.
Another ambitious day - Scafell, at 3,184, the second highest mountain in England. The proposed route had an opt-out plan, to stop at Slight Side, which at 2,499 feet was a respectable alternative. This also left the option for a sub group to travel on to Scafell if they so wished. The path started just 5 minutes down the road from the hostel, so we had no driving and we were on the road before 10.15.
We found the path pretty easily - we were taking the better high level path this time. The path up the valley, taken 30 years ago, does have the spectacular waterfall and wonderful views looking upwards. My memory that day is that we left the climbing too late and we had a very challenging finish. The high level route had us gaining height straight away and we got to 1,200 feet pretty early in the day. After that we had a gradual climb with lovely views.
There were small bracken hills and crags around us. We had the occasional rowan tree. The clouds rose as the morning progressed and we had clear views of all the peaks from about 11.30 onwards. The day was warm and hazy - nothing wrong with that! The path was well defined and generally dry.
Kevin lead the way at a great pace with Christopher hot on his heels. Senan had a slow start - but then he started counting steps and before we knew it he was off with the rest of them - the old tricks are the best! By 12.30 we were ready for lunch. It was a lovely spot for a picnic. The views over the raised valley below us and across to crinkle Crags and Bow Fell were wonderful. We were making good progress and Slight Side was clearly in view and we could see Scafell lurking in somewhere behind it! Lunch was the usual fair. Lots of chat and laughter.
After lunch we decided to leave the path and go higher to the ridge that was about 250 feet above us. It was through wet terrain and I was not certain that it was the right option - I was afraid that the ridge above would be a false top and that a path wouldn't materialise. But when we got up we found the path and we had a pleasant, if occasionally damp, ridge walk.
The path up Slight Side was clearly visable up ahead. When we got to the bottom of Slight Side we had a steep pull up. But with a clear path and great views it was not too hard. The mood of the group was beginning to diverge on how far we would go. But that was part of the plan - those who felt up to the assault on Scafell would lighten their packs and go for it while the second group were happy to wait and relax. We took a break about 200 feet below the summit. Mags Sheila and Senan decided to sit and wait and enjoy the view over the valley. The advance party unloaded most excess baggage and headed for the top of Slight Side. No prizes for guessing who was first on top - Christopher continued his winning performance! Greg had to keep up with him. As we rounded the last crag before the top Greg was there above us with his best impression of a human cross!
Greg on Slight Side, Uploaded by M+MD.
We had spectacular views on all sides. 30 years ago we did not have time to enjoy them - we were running out of time and had still a long way to go. We could also see that Scafell was not the second highest mountain in England for nothing. There was a ridge walk ahead of us up to 2,800 feet and then we had to lose another 150 feet before reaching the top. It was now beginning to look far away. The ground was getting rockier - though there was still a lot of green. On we went and we reached the next summit in about 20 minutes. There while taking on liquids and chocolate we met a group who had just come down from Scafell. They said that it had taken them an hour to get down. That was hard to believe. But even if we could do the round trip in an hour - which would be a challenge we would still be leaving the resting group waiting a long time. So we decided that we had reached turn-back. Scafell would still be there next year. We enjoyed even more spectacular views as we were almost directly above the valley below.
So we headed back skirting around Slight Side and rejoined the waiting group. It was another excuse to sit down and regroup and eat some chocolate and biscuits! They had found a good spot - sheltered under a rocky outcrop but perched above the open ridge and valley below. You could even see the Irish sea, hazy in the distance. A few photographs and then on we went. The descent was steep and fast - the path was almost a scree run in parts.
"What - Another Photo?!", Uploaded by M+MD.
We were back on the ridge pretty quickly. Now that were not under time pressure the idea was to take an alternative route home - as suggested by Wainwright! We found the ridge path all the way and descended down via Stone Tarn and Ell Tarn. The path on the way down did get quite wet and after a long day walking, the group we were stretching out over a wide distance. Remind me to put lead in Christopher's boots next year. (oh yes I think there will be a next year!). Down we went passing Stone Tarn in the distance and then the path round around to Ell Tarn where we regrouped and took another break. We were still above 1,000 feet so the views over the very green Eskdale Valley were very pleasant. Greg was resting on the opposite side of the Tarn. .
The walkie talkies were a great addition - mobile phones generally don't have the coverage. Greg talked is through the boggy part around the lake and we all joined up to trail down to the bracken. The Woolpack pub (just beside the hostel) was where this path finished. For some of us, it was the thought of a nice cool pint that kept us going. Down through the bracken we went - again streching out as we travelled at different speeds. The pint in the Woolpack was most refreshing.
We headed back to the hostel for showers and a clean up and decided to try the Boot Inn for dinner. We had another excellent meal and another pint before we returned for a well earned sleep. The morning promised a ly-in and what should be an easy run back to the boat.
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