A good day today climbing Scafell Pike from Seathwaite, despite some cloud on the top we had some great views on the way up and even avoided the forecast rain.
We set off from Seathwaite a little before 10am and headed up the track towards Stockley Bridge, aiming to climb Scafell Pike by the Corridor Route. From Stockley Bridge we followed the path up below Greenhow Knott and along Styhead Gill, crossing the bridge and climbing by Sty Head Tarn to the stretcher box at Sty Head Pass. We were making good time this morning and after a short stop by the stretcher box we pressed on, crossing to the Corridor Route, the views were pretty good, only the highest tops were in cloud today and as we crossed the head of the valley there were views out to the Irish Sea. We followed the Corridor Route up past Skew Gill and Greta Gill and were soon up on Lingmell Col, still below the cloud. We pressed on and headed up the final climb towards the summit of Scafell Pike, we were soon into the clouds though so no stop today for the wonderful views down over Wast Water. We were soon up at the summit of Scafell Pike though and after a few photos on top we headed down to the shelter for our packed lunches, out of the breeze. Unfortunately there were no views from the summit of Scafell Pike today, but it was very quiet up here today. After lunch we dropped down onto the path heading down towards Broadcrag Col, crossing the col and heading up the other side onto the boulders on Broad Crag. As we descended from Broad Crag there was a break in the clouds and we were rewarded with a great view over Great Gable, Sty Head and down into the Borrowdale Valley, the view didn't last too long though and we were soon back into the clouds as we climbed over Ill Crag and descended over the other boulder field. As we descended above Calf Cove the clouds broke again, this time giving us some great views north and across the Solway Coast to Scotland and to the south across Bowfell to the Coniston Fells. We were soon down at Esk Hause and descending below Great End, although there were large areas that were still covered in cloud we did get some good views, the view as we descended alongside Ruddy Gill looking along the valley towards Keswick and Derwentwater was great. We were soon back down at Stockley Bridge and following the track back to Seathwaite Farm.
