Scafell Pike March 2003 - No photos today
Hoping to see some snow I set off for the hamlet of Seathwaite, starting point for the Corridor Route to Scafell Pike.
From Seathwaite take the track through the farm leading to Stockley Bridge, cross the bridge and take the path straight ahead up the fell then follow Styhead Gill to its Tarn and the pass of the same name.
I have a walking companion with me today, my son; at the stretcher box at Styhead Pass we pick up some more company. The thick mist and snow on the hills had Peter and Richard wondering whether to turn back but as soon as they realised I knew where I was going they asked to come along. So the four of us set off to the Corridor Route, a very popular path most of the time but today nobody else is mad enough to share it with us.
At Styhead the snow was quite wet, soon after joining the Corridor Route the snow became less wet and a bit deeper. It was necessary to take a bit of care at the scramble around the top of Greta Gill and the snow at the top of Piers Gill was quite sound. My local knowledge was well used in finding the proper path up to Lingmell Col.
The snow on the ascent up to Scafell Pike summit got deeper, several people were coming down from the summit but not going down the Corridor Route, there were several people at the top when we got there even in these conditions.
The snow got a bit thicker and deeper on the steep slope down to Broad Crag col, a bit of care is necessary when you get close to the edge. Up the path to Broad Crag, over to Ill Crag and across to Calf Cove, there are not many footprints leading to Great End.
The best snow of the day on the way down to Esk Hause, nearly ended up in Eskdale by following footprints but something told me it was the wrong way and the path was quickly regained. From Esk Hause took the path down to Ruddy Gill, bypassing the cross shaped wall shelter further down, followed Ruddy Gill and then Grains Gill back down to Seathwaite.
Andy Wallace 3rd March 2002