Meet time: 08:45 am
Start time: 09:00 am
(Estimated finish time 18:00 – 18:30)
Grading: Very Strenuous
Distance: 10 miles / 16.1 km
Ascent: Approx. 1,500m
Startpoint: National Trust Car Park at Wasdale Campsite. Grid reference for start point is NY 182 074.
Postcode: CA20 1EX (Please note that the Postcode takes you to Wasdale Head and past the National Trust Campsite)
Car parking: Car parking is available at the National Trust Car Park which is located at the end of Wastwater.
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: A walk to 5 Wainwrights, including the highest point in England.
Come and celebrate St Georges day by climbing the highest point in England. The walk begins at the car park connected to the Wasdale Campsite and then directly onto the path heading eastwards towards Scafell. We soon leave the main path however and follow a faint path to Goat Crags, this is steep route before it begins to become gentler after 500m. Crossing a wall near Goat Crags we begin our final ascent to Lingmell (807m).
We descend from Lingmell to Lingmell Col where we divert from the main path to Scafell Pike and head towards Great End. We cross Piers Head Gill and follow the south bank of Greta Gill on our way to Great End (910m). From Great End we head over bouldery ground before following the path that dissects Broad Crag and Ill Crag. From here we will need to follow a very rough path through boulders before we reach Scafell Pike (978m).
From the highest point in England we are going to descend to Mickledore between Scafell Pike and Scafell. We are not going to go via Broad Strand or Lord’s Rake but will instead head south and around to Foxes Tarn. We will lose quite a bit of height between Scafell Pike and Scafell before ascending again to the plateau of Scafell (964m). The summit of Scafell is at the south of this plateau.
We follow a ridge from Scafell over Long Green before reaching the final Wainwright of the day. Slight Side (762m) is marked by a small cairn. The route is now pathless and we will need to cross Long Gill and Hardrigg Gill. After Hardrigg Gill we will eventual join the bridleway and then we will be on our route back to the start point.
Please contact Jack on 07517 765959 by 9pm on Saturday 22nd April if you are coming on this walk.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing as the weather can change quickly), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.