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Scafell

Scafell

Grid Reference: NY 20682 06484
Height: 964 metres/3163 feet

"Many folk today, even with the added knowledge that the main Pike is not only higher but actually the highest land in the country, share the old opinion that Scaw Fell (now Scafell) is the superior mountain of the group."
A Wainwright

Once considered the highest mountain in the Lake District, Scafell has now been demoted to the second highest peak, just 14m the junior of Scafell Pike but considered by many to be much the superior mountain.

The most arresting feature of the mountain is the huge Scafell Buttress, towering above Mickledore and arresting the view from the nearby Scafell Pike. Scafell Buttress has two huge rock faces, the west buttress, above Lord's Rake is home to many classic early climbing routes, particularly famous are those around Deep Gill and Scafell Pinnacle. The much steeper east buttress, once considered to difficult for climbers is home to much harder modern climbing routes of the last thirty years.

Routes between Scafell and Scafell Pike are not as simple as may be though, considering there is barely a mile between the two summits, the easiest walking rote is via Fox's Tarn, although this does involve loosing much more height than the more direct routes.

Lord's Rake follows a series of rocky gullies below the West Buttress, climbing three steep rakes to emerge on the western slopes of Scafell, a short but easy walk to the summit. The drawback to Lords Rake is that there is much loose rock in the gullies, making walking difficult.

The West Wall Traverse leaves Lord's Rake after the first climb, turning left onto a ledge it climbs into the easier upper section of Deep Gill, leaving a short scramble to emerge at the top of Scafell Crag close to the summit of Scafell.

Broad Stand is the final route between the two summits, and is the most direct taking an almost straight line between the two summits and loosing the least height, but this is a serious scrambling route, a grade 3 scramble descending a series of rocky shelves too Mickledore.

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  1. Scafell & Scafell Pike

    Scafell & Scafell Pike: Friday 18th September 2015

    £22.00

    The Wasdale side of the Scafell Range offers the best opportunity to climb the two highest mountains in the Lake District together. This guided walk climbs Scafell Pike by Lingmell Col before descending by Mickledore and climbing Scafell by Foxes Tarn. Learn More
  2. Scafell from Eskdale

    Scafell from Eskdale: Thursday 17th September 2015

    £22.00

    The Eskdale side of Scafell makes a great approack to the mountain. The quietest side of the Scafell Massif, this guided walk climbs Scafell by Slight Side, a wonderful route. Learn More
  3. Scafell from Eskdale

    Scafell from Eskdale: Private Guiding

    £120.00 From £16.00 per person

    The Eskdale side of Scafell makes a great approack to the mountain. The quietest side of the Scafell Massif, this guided walk climbs Scafell by Slight Side, a wonderful route. Learn More
  4. Scafell & Scafell Pike

    Scafell & Scafell Pike: Private Guiding

    £120.00 From £16.00 per person

    The Wasdale side of the Scafell Range offers the best opportunity to climb the two highest mountains in the Lake District together. This guided walk climbs Scafell Pike by Lingmell Col before descending by Mickledore and climbing Scafell by Foxes Tarn. Learn More

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