Scafell X marks the spot - No photos today

The weather is good, it may be my last chance to see Lord’s Rake this year. The path up towards Scafell is a long steady climb on good constructed footpaths until the path forks left for Lingmell Col and right for Mickledore.

After passing an unmistakably large boulder there is a fan of scree coming down from the right, don’t start to climb the scree straight away a bit further along the path the other edge of the scree is easier to climb. Scramble up to the top of the scree, and the start of Lord’s Rake is on the right hand side, the way up is obvious.

Lord’s Rake is a strenuous climb, keeping left for the initial slippery scree section, cross over to the right hand side for some scrambling over slightly greasy rock. Just before a large, fallen boulder that leans diagonally across the top of the first section, is the start of the path on the left leading to the West Wall Traverse. As usual the mist rolls in, leaving only the occasional glimpse of the surrounding crags

The approach to the top of the first section is very loose, there is plenty of room to get under the leaning boulder at the top. The second section of the rake is an easy descent and ascent, the third section is another descent and ascent which looks more intimidating than it actually is.

At the exit from the rake a path leads up to the pleasant, flat grassy saddle between Symonds Knott and the summit of Scafell. Wainwright doesn’t mention the stones that have been laid out in the shape of a cross – does anybody know what this is?

I had intended to descend either Lord’s Rake or the West Wall Traverse neither of which I have descended before and I won’t today because the weather has now closed in. I use the path to Foxes Tarn, and then down the gully to the Mickledore path.

I think about going straight over to Scafell Pike in order to avoid the horrible path which goes up to the top of Mickledoor ridge but I come across another path which provides an easier route to the lower part of the ridge.

Scafell Pike is busy as usual, the many people wearing shorts and summer coats begin to look a little bedraggled in the wind and rain on the summit. Down to Broad Crag col and I take the path down to meet the Corridor Route, turn left back to Wasdale.

Andy Wallace 1st September 2001