Scafell Pike southern approach

In message <[email hidden]>,
www.wheresthepath.co.uk <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Is there any particular reason why no-one ever talks aboutthe southern
approach to England's biggy? Everyone seems to approach from either
Wasdale Head or Seathwaite (even, disappointing, Trail magazine in the
latest issue where they were meant to be taking an alternative
approach to the 3 Peaks).

I've walked it from Seathwaite before and it was very nice. However,
looking at the map with thoughts of a further trip up there in the
future, I notice that approaching from Eskdale in the south there
looks to be a fine horseshoe taking in Sca Fell, Scafell Pike, Broad
Crag, Ill Crag, Esk Pike and Bow Fell, returning via Lingcove Beck.

Apart from the increased distance (and there's plenty of escape routes
to shorten it if you need) is there any reason why this is seemingly
so scorned? Is it an ugly or diffeicult route? I need to know!

Cheers

Anth

I would argue that the approach via the river Esk is the best of all to
the Scafell tops. There is the sense of an alp when you reach the upper
part of the river at the Great Moss.

Just choose your companions carefully - don't go with anyone who is
particularly fond of chocolate - as it is a long day.

--
Martin Richardson
663/1554 Marilyns - aiming for 777 71/118 New Donalds - only 40% to go
88/211 Irish Hewitts - 123, it's easy 42/220 Corbetts - only 81% to go

Thanks Martyn - I assume you mean up How Beck from Eskdale? Looks
interesting on the map. Is the Slight Side path (my original plan) no
fun then?

Anth

www.wheresthepath.co.uk said:

Thanks Martyn - I assume you mean up How Beck from Eskdale? Looks
interesting on the map. Is the Slight Side path (my original plan) no
fun then?

Anth

Apologies for spelling your name wrong!

In message <[email hidden]>,
www.wheresthepath.co.uk <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Thanks Martyn - I assume you mean up How Beck from Eskdale? Looks
interesting on the map. Is the Slight Side path (my original plan) no
fun then?

The Slight Side path would take you on to Scafell rather than Scafell
Pike so would make it an even longer day if you wanted to do Scafell
Pike as you'd have to drop down to Foxes Tarn.

I'd agree with Martin that the route up from Eskdale via Great Moss is a
bit special
--
Philip Powell
Looking north across the Derwent Valley and Northumberland
to The Cheviot

www.wheresthepath.co.uk said:

Is there any particular reason why no-one ever talks aboutthe southern
approach to England's biggy? Everyone seems to approach from either
Wasdale Head or Seathwaite (even, disappointing, Trail magazine in the
latest issue where they were meant to be taking an alternative
approach to the 3 Peaks).

I've walked it from Seathwaite before and it was very nice. However,
looking at the map with thoughts of a further trip up there in the
future, I notice that approaching from Eskdale in the south there
looks to be a fine horseshoe taking in Sca Fell, Scafell Pike, Broad
Crag, Ill Crag, Esk Pike and Bow Fell, returning via Lingcove Beck.

Apart from the increased distance (and there's plenty of escape routes
to shorten it if you need) is there any reason why this is seemingly
so scorned? Is it an ugly or diffeicult route? I need to know!

Well, I talk about it. Brotherilkeld - Esk Hause - Great End - Scafell
Pike - Scafell - Slightside - Brotherilkeld is at:

http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com/esksca.html

and the more extended version, Brotherilkeld - Bowfell - Esk Pike -
Esk Hause - Great End - Scafell Pike - Scafell - Slightside -
Brotherilkeld is at:

http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com/bowsca.html

HTH

John D.
--
John Dawson at home in Kendal, Cumbria.
Lake District Walks Web Pages http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com/
Kilimanjaro trip at http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com/kilimanjaro/
Egypt trip at http://www.lakedistrictwalks.com/egypt/

Wainwright said 'It seems remarkable that England's highest mountain has no
direct path
to the sunmmt on this, its finest side.It is not merely steepness that has
kept walkers away
from it, but rather the unavoidable, inescapable shawl of boulders coverng
the final 500 feet'.

(I didn't know that by heart, BTW, I just looked it up!).

The approach is great from that side and (at the risk of disagreeing with
AW) I suspect it may also
be the drive to the start that puts most people off rather than the last bit
of the walk, which is rather slow going.

"www.wheresthepath.co.uk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Is there any particular reason why no-one ever talks aboutthe southern
approach to England's biggy? Everyone seems to approach from either
Wasdale Head or Seathwaite (even, disappointing, Trail magazine in the
latest issue where they were meant to be taking an alternative
approach to the 3 Peaks).

I've walked it from Seathwaite before and it was very nice. However,
looking at the map with thoughts of a further trip up there in the
future, I notice that approaching from Eskdale in the south there
looks to be a fine horseshoe taking in Sca Fell, Scafell Pike, Broad
Crag, Ill Crag, Esk Pike and Bow Fell, returning via Lingcove Beck.

Apart from the increased distance (and there's plenty of escape routes
to shorten it if you need) is there any reason why this is seemingly
so scorned? Is it an ugly or diffeicult route? I need to know!

Cheers

Anth

Following up to "www.wheresthepath.co.uk" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I notice that approaching from Eskdale in the south there
looks to be a fine horseshoe taking in Sca Fell, Scafell Pike, Broad
Crag, Ill Crag, Esk Pike and Bow Fell, returning via Lingcove Beck.

Apart from the increased distance

the approach over slight side is at first a bit of a long gentle slog,
but by Slight side its interesting. you then have the problem of Broad
Stand or the descent down past Foxes Tarn and reascent. Then across
all those boulders to Great End and on to Esk Pike (nice) and then
Bowfell.I knackered already writing it :-) There's your reason.
--
Mike Reid
Cutty Sark appeal"http://www.cuttysark.org.uk"
to email remove clothing.

www.wheresthepath.co.uk said:

Is there any particular reason why no-one ever talks aboutthe southern
approach to England's biggy? Everyone seems to approach from either
Wasdale Head or Seathwaite (even, disappointing, Trail magazine in the
latest issue where they were meant to be taking an alternative
approach to the 3 Peaks).

I've walked it from Seathwaite before and it was very nice. However,
looking at the map with thoughts of a further trip up there in the
future, I notice that approaching from Eskdale in the south there
looks to be a fine horseshoe taking in Sca Fell, Scafell Pike, Broad
Crag, Ill Crag, Esk Pike and Bow Fell, returning via Lingcove Beck.

Apart from the increased distance (and there's plenty of escape routes
to shorten it if you need) is there any reason why this is seemingly
so scorned? Is it an ugly or diffeicult route? I need to know!

Cheers

Anth

Hi Anth,

I would be so bold as to say the walk along Great Moss is the best of
all in the Lakes, not just the best way to Scafell:
http://www.stridingedge.net/Walks/2007/05.%20May/21.05.07.htm

Regards,
Sean

In message <[email hidden]>,
www.wheresthepath.co.uk <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Thanks Martyn - I assume you mean up How Beck from Eskdale? Looks
interesting on the map. Is the Slight Side path (my original plan) no
fun then?

How Beck, Little Narrow Cove, Dow Crag or make your own way - could even
go up to Esk Hause, if motorway wide paths are your thing!. Think I have
done all of them over the years.

Slight Side is fine as a return route - nice for staying up as late as
you can as the sun is setting.

Whatever route you take from the south side has the advantage of being
free from the pesky so-called 'three peak' hordes.

--
Martin Richardson
663/1554 Marilyns - aiming for 777 71/118 New Donalds - only 40% to go
88/211 Irish Hewitts - 123, it's easy 42/220 Corbetts - only 81% to go

Thanks everyone for your comments - sounds like this'll definitely be
my route when I finally get a chance to return to the Lakes.

Cheers

Anth

Martin Richardson said:

Just choose your companions carefully - don't go with anyone who is
particularly fond of chocolate - as it is a long day.

;-)

S.

--
Stop ID cards and the Database State
http://www.no2id.net/

Sean McMahon said:

I would be so bold as to say the walk along Great Moss is the best of
all in the Lakes, not just the best way to Scafell:http://www.stridingedge.net/Walks/2007/05.%20May/21.05.07.htm

Nice page, as ever. Has the sign warning walkers not to tackle Lords
Rake vanished, or did you choose not to take a picture of it ? :-)

--
"Tact: knowing how far to go too far."

Quoted message said:

Nice page, as ever. Has the sign warning walkers not to tackle Lords
Rake vanished, or did you choose not to take a picture of it ? :-)

There are no signs there now and there hasn't been for a good while.
Not sutre whether they were removed deliberately or blew away. The
Wasdale MRT advice is 'passable with care' at the moment.

Sean McMahon said:

Quoted message said:

Nice page, as ever. Has the sign warning walkers not to tackle Lords
Rake vanished, or did you choose not to take a picture of it ? :-)

There are no signs there now and there hasn't been for a good while.
Not sutre whether they were removed deliberately or blew away. The
Wasdale MRT advice is 'passable with care' at the moment.

Thanks for the info. Perhaps the ptb have decided a period of
stability following the last collapse is a good sign.

--
"Volcano -- a mountain with hiccups."