Scafell & Scafell Pike via Lord's Rake

Scafell & Scafell Pike via Lord's Rake - Friday 10 May 2024

Route

Burnthwaite - Wasdale Head - Lingmell Gill - Brown Tongue - Lord's Rake - Scafell - Symonds Knott - Foxes Tarn - Foxes Gully - Mickledore - Scafell Pike - Lingmell Col - Piers Gill - Corridor Route - Skew Gill - Sty Head - Toad How - Bursting Knotts - Moses Trod - Burnthwaite

Parking

I started the walk from our accommodation at Burnthwaite Farm however there are various parking options at Wasdale Head including the Village Green (free). The Grid Reference is NY 18682 08508 and the nearest postcode is CA20 1EX.

Mileage

9.7 miles

Terrain

Whilst a Grade 1 Scramble, Lord's Rake is steep and over loose scree therefore requires concentration.

Climbing Scafell via this route is not recommended in ice and snow unless equipped and experienced in these conditions.

Weather

Gloriously sunny & warm for the most part with the odd overcast spell

Time Taken

8hrs 10mins

Total Ascent

4448ft (1356m)

Wainwrights

2

Map

OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)

Walkers

Dave with Angie & Fudge meeting me at Sty Head

GPX File

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Route Map

Early doors as I leave Burnthwaite Farm with the sun rising above Sty Head with Great Gable centre left

I was really looking forward to today. I had done the majority of today's walk several times but had always split off up the West Wall Traverse and had never carried on to walk the full extent of Lord's Rake. I would remedy that today and later on planned to meet Angie & Fudge at Sty Head.

Looking into Mosedale with Red Pike to the left, Pillar centre and Kirk Fell to the right

Yewbarrow over Wasdale Head

St Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head

St Olaf's is England's smallest parish church and sits just 35 people. The church is always worth a visit and we have wandered inside many, many times. Wasdale Head was originally a Norse settlement, its first settlers being 2nd and 3rd generation Norse explorers who became farmers after landing on the west coast from Ireland and the Isle of Man around 1000 AD, bringing Christianity with them.

St Olaf (995 - 1030) was the King of Norway and is widely credited with uniting his country with a widespread adoption of Christianity. Before inheriting the throne he took part in a raid on London in 1014 and helped depose King Canute and restore Ethelred the Unready back to the English throne. However in 1028, Olaf himself was overturned by Canute and was killed at the Battle of Stiklestaad in 1030 as he attempted to regain his throne. He was eventually canonised by Pope Alexander III in 1164.

Wasdale Head with Pillar beyond

The Green at Wasdale Head. It was pretty quiet as I passed but hey ho, give it an hour..............

Just after The Green, a signpost on the left points the way over fields towards Lingmell Beck

The footbridge over Lingmell Beck

Looking down Lingmell Beck from the footbridge. Whilst the beck looks dry there is water running under the stones.

Illgill Head & Wastwater across a carpet of Bluebells

Looking back to the path junction - I had come from Wasdale Head on the path to the right whilst the left hand route comes up from the NT Car Park & Camp Site at Brackenclose.

The Tourist Path to Scafell Pike via Brown Tongue. I would be following this path for just over half a mile.

Crossing Lingmell Gill with Scafell Pike, Mickledore & Scafell now in view. The gill was fairly dry today and therefore easy to cross however after rain it can be a totally different experience.

Continuing my way up the Brown Tongue path. It was starting to warm up now and the sun was burning off the cloud - I reckoned that I was going to be in for a good weather day.

The path junction at Grid Reference NY 20158 07232. The path to the left is the Hollow Stones route to Scafell Pike and to the right is my route to Mickledore.

Looking back down my route of ascent from the path junction. Wastwater is over to the left with Buckbarrow, Middle Fell, Seatallan, Yewbarrow, Haycock & Red Pike providing the backdrop.

Black Crag

Pikes Crag, Pulpit Rock & Mickledore Buttress with the col of Mickledore to the right

Lingmell's west ridge with the summit over to the right

Scafell Crag & Shamrock - the two are separated by Lord's Rake which I would be cutting across to shortly

The path passes between a large erratic - in Book 5 Wainwright refers to this rock as a "big boulder" in his description of the ascent from Wasdale Head (Scafell 10)

Pulpit Rock & Mickledore Buttress from the boulder

A large cairn at Grid Reference NY 20788 07024 marks the point at which the route over to Lord's Rake is taken. The path can be seen snaking its way up the scree ahead.

A diagram of my route up to Lord's Rake starting from the large cairn. As Wainwright points out in Book 5, there are 3 ups and 2 downs when making a complete transit of Lord's Rake. The path known as Rake's Progress is the narrow, descending track from Mickledore and leads to the start of Lord's Rake. It is used to avoid climbing Broad Stand which is strictly off limits to walkers without the necessary climbing equipment. If you wish to climb Scafell via the West Wall Traverse and Deep Gill then links to that route are here and here.

The scree slope that leads to the foot of Lord's Rake. The terrain is hard going underfoot but thankfully is only 300 yards.

Looking across to the Hollow Stones path with Lingmell & Kirk Fell beyond

Looking back down my ascent of the scree slope - that was hard work

At the entrance to Lord's Rake is a cross which has been cut into the rock face. The cross marks the site of a tragic accident which happened on 23 September 1903 when 4 climbers fell to their deaths attempting to make a new direct route to Hopkinson's Cairn on Scafell Pinnacle.

The start of Lord's Rake which is at Grid Reference NY 20781 06879. The start of the Rake is a narrow and steep stone chute between Deep Gill Buttress on the left and Shamrock on the right which rises steeply to a narrow col. The best way up is left at first and then cut across to the right from a point roughly in the centre of the photo where easier ground and hand holds can be found.

Looking down Lord's Rake from roughly two thirds of the way up to the first col

Another look down Lord's Rake this time from the first col which is at Grid Reference NY 20712 06854. The start of the West Wall Traverse path can be seen to the right.

Scafell Pike across Mickledore from the first col

From the first col there is a short descent which then leads to a loose stone path up to the second col

Up close and personal with rock formations at the second col

The top of the second col looking back to Scafell Pike & Mickledore

Another view of the second col, this time from a little further on

Great Gable now appears in view over the summit of Lingmell

From the col there is the final descent into what Wainwright described as a stony ampitheatre

As can be seen, the views were absolutely superb today

The descent finally levelled out at the bottom of the amphitheatre and all that was left was to negotiate the final climb in order to exit Lord's Rake

Looking back to the second col from the amphitheatre

The final section of Lord's Rake is up a short scree slope. I kept to the left hand side and it was easy climbing.

Looking down from the top of the scree slope to the amphitheatre and back to the second col. The top of Lord's Rake is at Grid Reference NY 20534 06823.

Lord's Rake emerges onto the western slope of Scafell to give a splendid view over to Burnmoor Tarn, Illgill Head, Wastwater, Middle Fell, Seatallan & Yewbarrow

The path junction I was at earlier for Hollow Stones/Mickledore can clearly be seen below to the left

Symonds Knott from the top of Lord's Rake

From the top of Lord's Rake it is a simple walk up to the ridgeline and a col between Symonds Knott & Scafell. At the col is a cross of stones, the origin of which I have never been able to ascertain.

The summit of Scafell looking to Symonds Knott with Scafell Pike over to the right

Looking along Scafell's summit ridge to the wind shelter and Eskdale beyond

From Scafell I dropped back to the col and headed over to the left to make the short climb to the summit of Symonds Knott

Looking over Scafell Pinnacle & Pisgah to Scafell Pike from the summit of Symonds Knott

High Man on Scafell Pinnacle to the left with Pisgah to the right and the Jordan Gap between the two - taken from the head of Deep Gill

From Deep Gill I made my way down to Foxes Tarn via the steep scree path - the best route of descent is via the left hand side of the scree

Foxes Tarn - or Foxes Puddle as it is sometimes referred

From Foxes Tarn I made the enjoyable descent down through Foxes Gully - again I kept mainly to the left hand side where there are good hand holds. Roughly 50 yards from the base of the gully I crossed over to the right hand side.

Looking back up Foxes Gully from the base - great fun either in ascent or descent

From the base of Foxes Gully a path on the left leads up the steep slope to Mickledore

Upper Eskdale with Crinkle Crags over to the left

As I made my ascent to Mickledore I bumped into the only other walker I had seen thus far. After a brief chat we walked together as far as Scafell Pike.

Up on Mickledore with Pulpit Rock & Pikes Crag ahead of me. The Mountain Rescue Stretcher Box is just about visible to the right.

Broad Stand from Mickledore

Looking down from Mickledore with Lord's Rake centre right. Rake's Progress can be seen making its way around the crag in the centre of shot.

The Mountain Rescue Stretcher Box at Mickledore complete with accompanying graffiti from the knuckle dragging members of society

From the Stretcher Box I started the gradual ascent to Scafell Pike but not before a final look back at Mickledore & Broad Stand

Approaching the summit of Scafell Pike I met up with members of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team who were out on a shout searching for a lost walker - as can be seen they had the Search Dogs out also. More about the rescue later.

The summit of Scafell Pike

The large cairn that marks the summit of Scafell Pike has a plaque inserted into the stonework. The inscription reads:

'In perpetual memory of the men of the Lake District who fell for God and King, for freedom, peace and right in the Great War 1914 - 1918. This summit of Scafell was given to the nation subject to any commoners rights & placed in custody of the National Trust by Charles Henry, Baron Leconfield"

Heading down the tourist path to Lingmell Col which is over to the right with the path up to Lingmell clearly visible. Yewbarrow is to the left with the Pillar group centre and Kirk Fell over to the right.

Descending from the top I was now going against the flow of people coming up from Wasdale Head. Lots of dogs out enjoying the day including this lovely Springer who gave me a wonderful greeting as I snapped him in full flow.

Looking over to the right to Great End & Broad Crag

Lingmell Col now clearly in view as I continue my descent with Great Gable also putting in an appearance. The body of water over to the right is Styhead Tarn.

I veered off path for a hundred yards or so to have a quiet lunch away from the many people making their way up to and off Scafell Pike

Almost down now - I would be heading to the right when I reached the col as my intention today was to descend to Sty Head via the Corridor Route then return to Wasdale from there.

Lingmell Col is reached at Grid Reference NY 21086 07683 - left for Wasdale Head and right for Piers Gill, the Corridor Route & Sty Head

Broad Crag & its col with the slopes of Scafell Pike over to the right. My path to reach the Corridor Route can be seen heading from left to right.

The bulk of Great End with Round How in the foreground

Lingmell

Great Gable across Piers Gill

The head of Piers Gill at Grid Reference NY 21360 07856

This has recently (2023) become a Mountain Rescue black spot. In mist people who do not know the area often descend into the gill presuming it is the way back to Wasdale or Seathwaite. The bed of the gill is impassable therefore unwary walkers soon get into trouble and cannot find their way out resulting in many a Mountain Rescue call out. As of 2024, it has been agreed that signs should be placed in the area in and around the head of the gill warning walkers of the dangers.

Piers Gill from the path junction with the Corridor Route (Click Play to view)

At Grid Reference NY 21360 07886 the path splits with the Piers Gill route heading off to the left and the Corridor Route to the right. Both paths can be used to return to Wasdale - the Piers Gill path drops down to meet Lingmell Beck whilst the Corridor Route heads for Sty Head. Whichever route you choose there is some exposed sections and scrambling but in good conditions nothing too technical or dangerous.

Lingmell, Piers Gill, Kirk Fell, Great Gable & Middleboot Knotts from the Corridor Route

The route passes to the right of an unnamed tarn. Great Gable is to the left, Criscliffe Knotts centre and Skiddaw & Blencathra distant

At Grid Reference NY 21556 07936 a path heads off to the right which leads to Broad Crag Col - the Corridor Route continues straight on

Round How with Great End beyond

Another glorious view of Great Gable with Kirk Fell left and Green Gable right. The path cutting across Great Gable's lower flank is the one I would be using in order to return to Wasdale Head.

The Corridor Route snaking its way around the lower slopes of Great End

Looking back to Lingmell across Piers Gill

The route passes around a rocky knoll which has some mild exposure - as usual I just took my time

At Grid Reference NY 21891 08520 there is a bit of hand on rock and helpful arrows show the way up. Whilst this scramble looks daunting it is fairly easy to negotiate.

Looking down to Wasdale from the Corridor Route with our return path on the right hand side of the beck

Looking to Sty Head as the Coastguard Helicopter circles and comes in to land (Click Play to view)

During today and the previous few days a large, multi agency search was being carried out in order to locate a missing walker. Sadly a body was found on this day in one of the gullies on Great End. The helicopter was on task to transport the mans body off the fell.

The Coastguard Helicopter leaving Sty Head (Click Play to view)