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Scafell
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Key Information
| Name | Grid ref | Height | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Symond's Knott | NY207067 | 959 m (3,146 ft) | Nuttall |
Scafell (/ˈskɔːfəl/ or /skɑːˈfɛl/;[1] also spelled Sca Fell, previously Scawfell[2]) is a mountain in the Lake District region of Cumbria, England. It has a height of 964 metres (3,163 feet), making it the second-highest mountain in England after its neighbour, Scafell Pike, from which it is separated by Mickledore col.
Topography
[edit]Scafell stands between Wasdale in the west and upper Eskdale to the east. The highest part of the fell is a ridge running south from Mickledore as far as Slight Side, which is counted as a separate fell by most guidebooks.[1][3] Despite regarding Slight Side as a separate entity, Wainwright included the wide upland area beyond it to the south west as a part of Scafell. More modern guides have partitioned the plateau off as a further independent top, Great How.[3]
The opposing flanks of Scafell are entirely different in character. To the south, monotonous smooth slopes, stony and lacking vegetation at higher levels, run down toward Burnmoor and the head of Wastwater. But on the east side several large crags loom impressively over upper Eskdale. On the north side, the sheer faces of Scafell Crag provide some the finest rock scenery in the Lake District.
From the narrow ridge of Mickledore the northern face of Scafell rises precipitously, an unusually complete barrier to progress along a Lakeland ridge, which frustrates many ridge walkers who find that this is a cliff for rock climbers only. At the top of the rise from Mickledore is Symonds Knott (959 m or 3,146 ft), the northern top. The wall of crags – Scafell Crag to the west and the East Buttress above the Eskdale side of Mickledore – has two main weaknesses. Running laterally across Scafell Crag is Lord's Rake, a scree-filled chute with several intermediate cols. It has two upper entrances onto the saddle separating Symonds Knott from the main summit. Formerly passable as a scramble, Lord's Rake suffered from a serious rock fall in 2002 — with subsequent further falls — and recent guidebooks do not consider it a viable route, although it is gradually becoming more stable. The block that was bridged across the head of Lord's Rake collapsed into the gully in July 2016, leaving several small unstable blocks behind, which can be avoided with care. The access to West Wall Traverse is clear of debris.[3][4] The second breach in the crags is Broad Stand, a series of sloping steps which drop down from Symonds Knott almost to Mickledore; however, these steepen immediately above Mickledore and cannot be negotiated safely except by rock-climbers.[1][3] The main summit stands a little to the south of the saddle, all around being a sea of stones. An easy ridge then steps down southward over Long Green to Slight Side. On the east are Cam Spout Crag and the fine high waterfall after which it is named.
Beyond Slight Side is a rough upland with many craggy tops and a number of tarns, before the southward descent finally ends in Lower Eskdale. South West of Scafell, below the scarp of Great How, is Burnmoor Tarn, one of the largest in Lakeland. Around 40 ft (12 m) deep, it holds trout, perch and pike. The tarn is prevented from following what would appear the natural line of drainage into Miterdale by moraines, and empties southward, reaching the Esk at Beckfoot. Near the southern shore stands Burnmoor Lodge, once a keeper's cottage and a dwelling two miles (three kilometres) from the nearest road.[5]
Summit
[edit]The main summit bears a large cairn on a short rocky ridge. Northward is a saddle, marked by a large cross of stones and then the bouldery climb to Symonds Knott, the north top. This gives views straight down to Mickledore. Scafell gives a very different view to that from its higher neighbour with Wastwater and the coastal plain given great prominence. There is a fine vista of the Western Fells, together with Bowfell and the Coniston Fells.[1]
Ascents
[edit]Wasdale
[edit]The classic ascent via Lord's Rake path from Wastwater follows the main Scafell Pike footpath to Hollow Stones, then up to Lord's Rake. Lord's Rake may be followed in its entirety, or near the top of the first col, a diversion may be made onto the West Wall Traverse, the exit of which lies closer to the summit. However one section of Lord's Rake is now threatened by unstable rocks following a rock fall in 2001. An alternative is to ascend from the Burnmoor track via Green How, but this misses the rock scenery of Scafell Crag.
Eskdale
[edit]A pleasant but lengthy alternative begins from Boot in Eskdale, following the River Esk upstream, and scrambling up to the summit by way of Foxes Tarn. A gentler return can be made across moorland, by way of the Burnmoor Tarn. Also starting in Eskdale, the Terrace route can be followed from Wha House, first ascending Slight Side.
From Scafell Pike
[edit]
The route from Scafell Pike to Scafell (or its reverse) is one of the most frustrating in the Lake District. What seems like a direct route is in fact very hazardous as it has to negotiate Broad Stand crag, which is a dangerous and exposed scramble that has caused many accidents and injuries. It is usually treated as a rock climb, with appropriate ropes and belay protection. Wainwright warns against its dangers to walkers. Its dangers are more obvious travelling from Scafell Pike, but travelling from Scafell, the route loses a lot of height before the danger is seen. Instead there are two walking routes, but they entail some loss of altitude. The first is via Foxes Tarn to the East of Scafell summit, and the second is via Lord's Rake and the West Wall traverse. All routes go via Mickledore.
Rock Climbing
[edit]Scafell Crag, the massive north buttress of Scafell, and the overhanging East Buttress to the East of Mickledore Col, are the site of many famous historic and contemporary rock climbs. The history of climbing on these crags is documented by a book by The Fell and Rock Climbing Club called Nowt but a fleein' thing. ISBN 978-0-85028-059-3, Latitude Press.
Name history
[edit]Until about 1920, the phonetic spelling "Scawfell" was the most common version.[6] This was used by, among others William Wordsworth who, in addition to poetry, wrote a popular guide book to the Lake District, Harriet Martineau (whose work replaced Wordsworth's as the definitive guidebook),[7] Jonathan Otley (who was one of the first to measure the height of most of the Lakeland fells), John Dalton (who also estimated the elevation of many of the fells), the surveyor of the Wasdale Head Enclosure map of 30 January 1808 [8] and the hotel keepers and tour operators who lived or operated in the area, as typified by the many adverts in M. J. B. Baddeley's guide of 1895 (versus the guide text which was consistent with the maps therein).[9] This split between local usage and maps printed by national publishers is further illustrated by the Wasdale Hall Estate Plan and Sales Particulars, dated 30th Sept 1920.[8] This uses the spelling "Scawfell" throughout except in the map attached which was reproduced with permission of the Ordnance Survey. The first edition of the Rock and Fell Club Guide was titled "Climbs on the Scawfell Group".[10] The phonetic "Scawfell" was still noticeably in use in the 1950s.[11]
The change to the shorter spelling appears to have originated in the Donald Map of 1774,[12] a document with a noticeable number of placename errors. This was then perpetuated by the Ordnance Survey from 1867.[13] The Donald map is the first to name many mountains in the Lake District - earlier maps concentrated on showing passes through the mountains. Until 1867 the two spellings are roughly equally split on maps, the shorter form being more common with London publishers. General usage at the time was predominantly "Scawfell". The only notable guide book that used "Scafell" prior to 1867 is Ford.[14] The Ordnance Survey produced detailed procedures on capturing correct placenames in 1825, largely as a result of their survey work transferring to Ireland between 1824 and 1838. However, when they restarted their work in England, given the status of Sca Fell as an essential surveying station (taking bearings of Slieve Donard and Snowdon, thereby helping to fix the relative positions of Ireland and England), the familiarity with this mountain probably meant that the "Name Book"[15] procedures were overlooked. Hence the correct enquiries were not made and the mistake of Donald was perpetuated.
Wainwright stated that, originally, the name Scawfell/Scafell referred to the whole of the massif from Great End south to Slight Side; only more recently had the general term become applied solely to the part of the fell south of Mickledore. Wainwright's comments on this in book 4: "When men first named the mountains, the whole of the high mass south of Sty Head was known as Scaw Fell....".[1] However, Jonathan Otley, writing in the first concise guide to the Lake District, maintained that local shepherds applied the name "Scawfell" only as far as Mickledore, with the summits beyond called simply "the Pikes". Otley also comments that the Donald map of 1774 and the Ordnance Survey were incorrect in their naming.[16] Scafell Pike and Scafell were referred to by the Ordnance Survey in their 1811 report as "Sca-Fell Higher Top" and "Sca-Fell Lower Top".[17] This can be confirmed from the 1811 account, a modern map and some elementary trigonometry. .
Once Scafell Pike (which has its own convoluted name history) had been identified as England's highest mountain, that fact and the greater interest in climbing and fell-walking necessitated the Scafell Range being broken down into a number of individually named elements. This process was completed before the death of Jonathan Otley in 1856, as Otley commented on this change.[18]
It was once believed that Scafell was the highest mountain in this part of the Lake District – it is much more prominent in views from many directions than its higher neighbour – with the three apparently inferior peaks to the north (those now known as Scafell Pike, Ill Crag and Broad Crag) being known collectively as the "Pikes of Scawfell".[1] The heights of many of the fells were first measured by John Dalton (Scafell: 990 m or 3,240 ft) as a result of his study of meteorology and Jonathan Otley, who published a height of 940 m (3,100 ft) for "Scawfell" on his map of 1818. The Ordnance Survey first gave a height of 965 m (3,166 ft),[17] but this remained essentially unpublished until the maps of Cumberland were printed.[19] Dorothy Wordsworth did discover shortly after her ascent of "The Pikes" (Scafell Pike) in 1818 that this peak was higher than Sca Fell - presumably from Otley's map and guide book.[20]
Gallery
[edit]-
Scafell massif from Middle Fell. -
Scafell massif from Middle Fell -
Lords Rake, Scafell, Cumbria - 2010 -
Scafell Crag, Cumbria, from the north, 2010 -
Scafell from Scafell Pike, - 2010. -
Detail in snow of Broadstand, Scafell, Cumbria - 2010 -
Scafell Crag with Lord's Rake on the left. -
The ascent from Wasdale to Mickledore (on the right) -
Botterill's slab on Scafell Crag, first climbed in 1903.
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Wainwright, A. (1960). The Southern Fells. London: Francis Lincoln. ISBN 0-7112-2230-4.
{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) - ^ "Lakes Map, Otley 1818". www.geog.port.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
- ^ a b c d Richards, Mark: Mid-Western Fells: Collins (2004): ISBN 0-00-711368-4
- ^ Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team. Accessed 29 September 2007
- ^ Blair, Don: Exploring Lakeland Tarns: Lakeland Manor Press (2003): ISBN 0-9543904-1-5
- ^ from a study of more than 3,600 search results in the British Newspaper Archive, items searched: "Scawfell", "Scaw Fell", "Scafell", "Sca Fell"
- ^ Martineau, Harriet; Banks, William; Aspland, Theophil Lindsey; Ruthven, John (6 June 1855). "A complete guide to the English lakes". Windermere : John Garnett; London : Whittaker and Co. – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b Cumbria Record Office, Whitehaven
- ^ M.J.B Baddeley, BA, The English Lake District, 7th edn., publ. Dulau & Co. 1895
- ^ C F Holland, Climbs on the Scawfell Group, publ. Fell and Rock Climbing Club of the English Lake District, 1st edition, ?1921
- ^ British Newspaper Archive
- ^ Cumbria Record Office, Carlisle
- ^ OS 6" to the mile, sheet 174, surveyed 1860-62, published 1867
- ^ Rev. William Ford BA, A Description of the Scenery in the Lake District intended as a Guide to Strangers 3rd edn. 1843
- ^ "Ordnance Survey Maps Six-inch 1st edition, Scotland, 1843-1882 - National Library of Scotland". maps.nls.uk.
- ^ Otley, Jonathan (1827). Concise Description of the English Lakes and Adjacent Mountains, etc (3rd. ed.). Retrieved 9 August 2015.
- ^ a b Lieutenant-Colonel William Mudge, RA FRS and Captain Thomas Colby, RE An Account of the Trigonometrical Survey Carried on by Order of the Master-General of His Majesty's Ordnance in the Years 1800,1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808 and 1809. publ.1811
- ^ Thomas Fletcher Smith Jonathan Otley, Man of Lakeland, publ. Bookcase 2007
- ^ letter to the editor, Carlisle Journal, 25th Nov 1853
- ^ "Dorothy Wordsworth on Scafell Pike". www.pastpresented.ukart.com.
Scafell
View on GrokipediaGeography and Location
Overview
Scafell is a mountain in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England, renowned for its rugged terrain and prominence in the English landscape.[1] Rising to an elevation of 964 metres (3,163 feet), it ranks as the second-highest mountain in England, surpassed only by its neighbor Scafell Pike at 978 metres.[1] Positioned within the Southern Fells, a subregion of the Lake District, Scafell lies at coordinates 54°26′53″N 3°13′30″W.[8] With a topographic prominence of 132 metres, Scafell meets the criteria for classification as both a Hewitt—British hills exceeding 2,000 feet (610 metres) in elevation with at least 200 feet (61 metres) of prominence—and a Nuttall, which includes English and Welsh hills over 2,000 feet with a 50-foot (15-metre) drop.[9] It forms an integral part of the Scafell massif, a compact cluster of high peaks connected by narrow ridges, immediately adjacent to Scafell Pike across the Mickledore col.[10] Scafell holds significant appeal for outdoor enthusiasts, serving as a key destination for hikers and climbers drawn to its challenging ascents and dramatic vistas.[11] The broader Lake District, encompassing Scafell and its surrounding fells, attracts approximately 18 million visitors annually (as of 2023), with the high fells like the Scafell massif contributing substantially to this figure through popular walking and mountaineering activities.[1]Topography
Scafell forms part of a prominent massif in the Lake District, characterized by a rugged main ridge that extends southwest to Slight Side, a subsidiary peak rising to 762 meters (2,499 feet). This ridge connects eastward to Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain at 978 meters (3,209 feet), via the narrow Mickledore col at approximately 840 meters (2,760 feet), a slender rocky traverse that exposes walkers to steep drops on either side. The terrain here features loose scree and eroded paths, demanding careful navigation due to the col's exposed nature. The mountain's western flanks are dominated by dramatic crags, including Scafell Crag, renowned as the steepest precipitous face in England with heights reaching up to 170 meters (about 560 feet) from base to summit. Adjacent to it lies the East Buttress, a bulging wall of rhyolite offering varied climbing lines up to 80 meters high, known for its overhanging cracks and grooves. These features create a formidable barrier, with near-vertical rock faces plummeting toward Wasdale, contrasting with the gentler, grassier slopes on the eastern approaches from Eskdale that allow for more accessible ascents.[12][13] Lord's Rake serves as a major access gully between Scafell Crag and the neighboring crags, a steep, boulder-strewn chute rising over 180 meters (600 feet) that has historically provided a route to the summit but is fraught with hazards. In December 2002, a massive rockfall collapsed much of the upper section, rendering parts unstable and prompting warnings from mountain rescue teams. Further instability occurred in August 2016 when a large perched boulder at the gully's head fragmented and fell, an event monitored by authorities due to ongoing erosion risks.[14][15] Broad Stand, a key rocky barrier on the direct ridge from Mickledore to Scafell's summit, consists of a series of steep slabs and steps requiring hands-on scrambling, graded as Difficult in traditional climbing terms due to polished holds and exposure to falls up to 6 meters. This feature, part of the mountain's southwestern terrain variations, underscores Scafell's challenging topography, where steep western descents give way to broader, undulating plateaus toward the east.[16][17]Geology
Rock Types
The rocks comprising Scafell belong to the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, a sequence of Ordovician volcanic deposits that dominate the geology of the Lake District. The primary compositions include rhyolite, a fine-grained, light-colored felsic volcanic rock high in silica and characterized by quartz and feldspar phenocrysts; andesite, an intermediate volcanic rock with a porphyritic texture often containing plagioclase, pyroxene, and hornblende; and breccia, consisting of angular fragments of volcanic material embedded in a finer matrix, formed through explosive eruptions and debris flows. Rhyolite predominates on major crags such as Scafell Crag, where flows and welded tuffs form the bulk of the exposed faces, valued for their structural integrity in maintaining near-vertical profiles. Andesite appears more commonly along ridges and lower slopes, including aphanitic basaltic varieties and porphyritic types that contribute to the mountain's undulating terrain. Breccia is distributed in episodic lenses and beds, particularly within formations like the Pavey Ark Breccia, reflecting localized collapses and pyroclastic accumulations during caldera activity.[18] These rock types possess high resistance to chemical and physical weathering owing to their interlocking crystalline structures and low porosity, which has sustained Scafell's steep cliffs and sharp summits against prolonged glacial and fluvial erosion. Fracture patterns, influenced by jointing and cleavage in the rhyolite and andesite, produce blocky outcrops and ledges that enhance the mountain's suitability for rock climbing by offering reliable holds and routes.[19]Geological History
Scafell's geological origins trace back to the Ordovician period, approximately 450 million years ago, when it formed as part of an extensive volcanic arc along the southern margin of the closing Iapetus Ocean.[20][21] Subduction of oceanic crust beneath the Avalonian margin triggered intense magmatic activity, leading to the eruption of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, which constitutes the core of the Scafell massif.[20] This group encompasses a thick succession exceeding 6,000 meters, built up over less than 5 million years through predominantly subaerial and submarine lava flows, pyroclastic deposits, and ignimbrite eruptions within caldera systems, such as the Scafell Caldera.[20][22] Following deposition, the region underwent significant uplift during the Caledonian Orogeny, a late Ordovician to early Devonian mountain-building event driven by the final closure of the Iapetus Ocean between Laurentia and Avalonia.[23] This tectonic collision deformed the volcanic rocks through folding, faulting, and associated igneous intrusions, elevating the Borrowdale Volcanics into a nascent mountain range trending northeast-southwest across northern England.[23][20] The orogeny marked the transition from active volcanism to structural stabilization, with no subsequent magmatic activity in the area.[23] Over the ensuing 400 million years, relentless erosion by rivers, weathering, and multiple glaciations—from the Devonian period onward through Quaternary ice ages—sculpted the original volcanic plateau into the prominent peaks visible today.[23][20] These processes reduced the once-vast orogenic highlands, exposing the resistant Borrowdale Volcanics as a rugged upland distinct from the surrounding older sedimentary sequences, such as the Skiddaw Group.[20] Scafell now stands as a deeply eroded remnant of this ancient volcanic terrain, with its current form largely attributable to Pleistocene glacial carving that accentuated cirques and arêtes.[22]Summit Features
Description
The summit of Scafell reaches an elevation of 964 metres (3,163 feet), marking it as the second-highest mountain in England. It is distinguished by a prominent large cairn, constructed as a pile of stones atop a short rocky ridge, which serves as the primary marker of the highest point. Nearby lies an Ordnance Survey trig point, officially named Sca Fell but positioned on the adjacent Scafell Pike summit, providing a reference for surveying and navigation in the vicinity.[9][24][25] The summit area forms a flat, rocky plateau spanning approximately 200 metres across, characterised by loose scree slopes and scattered boulders that create a rugged, uneven terrain. This bouldery expanse extends from the main ridge, offering a stable yet challenging surface underfoot due to the fragmented rock cover derived from the surrounding volcanic formations. The plateau's exposure contributes to its stark, elemental appearance, with minimal vegetation clinging to the edges.[25][26] Scafell's summit is highly exposed to severe weather conditions typical of the Lake District fells, including frequent high winds that can exceed 30-35 mph on exposed ridges, persistent fog reducing visibility to near zero, and heavy precipitation throughout the year. The area experiences average annual rainfall exceeding 3,000 mm, concentrated in prolonged wet spells that amplify the challenging conditions for visitors. Infrastructure remains minimal, with no permanent buildings or facilities; navigation relies on occasional temporary markers such as stone cairns or path indicators that may shift with erosion or weather.[27][28][29]Views and Visibility
From the summit of Scafell, the primary views extend westward to the serpentine expanse of Wastwater, England's deepest lake, with the Irish Sea shimmering on the horizon during clear conditions.[30] To the south, the verdant Eskdale valley stretches out, dotted with farmland and framed by distant hills. Eastward, the imposing forms of Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes rise sharply, accompanied by the jagged outline of Crinkle Crags and glimpses of the Coniston Fells.[30] The northern panorama reveals the bold silhouette of Great Gable, with Pillar Rock and the Ennerdale valley nestled below, offering a sweeping vista of the western fells.[30] This 360-degree aspect encompasses approximately 10-12 other fells exceeding 2,000 feet (610 meters) in elevation, among them the prominent profile of Scafell Pike to the northeast. On exceptionally clear days, visibility extends eastward up to 50 kilometers, allowing sight of Windermere and beyond.[30] However, these vistas are frequently challenged by the region's variable weather, where hill fog and low cloud often obscure the summit, with the fells experiencing precipitation on over 200 days per year.[31] Visibility is typically best during summer mornings, when overnight clouds may dissipate to reveal expansive panoramas before afternoon mists return.[27]Routes and Access
From Wasdale
The classic pedestrian route to Scafell from Wasdale begins at Wasdale Head, near the National Trust car park or inn, and follows a path along Lingmell Gill before ascending via Lord's Rake to the summit. This out-and-back trail covers approximately 8-10 km round trip with around 900 m of ascent, typically taking 4-6 hours for fit walkers depending on pace and conditions.[32][33] The initial section involves a steep climb from the valley floor, crossing Lingmell Beck and following the gill's cascades through grassy slopes and rocky steps up to the col at Hollow Stones, where the terrain transitions to loose scree and boulder fields. Once in Lord's Rake—a narrow, steep gully—the path becomes increasingly hazardous, characterized by unstable scree slopes and fragmented rock debris from major rockfalls in 2002 and 2016, which have left large boulders and loose material that can shift underfoot, posing risks of slips or falls.[32][34][15][35] Navigation requires careful route-finding, starting with a clear, signposted path from Wasdale Head that parallels Lingmell Gill and ascends Brown Tongue—a broad, eroded ridge—to the col at Hollow Stones, from where a faint scree path leads into Lord's Rake. The route then involves a moderate grade 1 scramble up the rake's loose slopes to Foxes Tarn, followed by a short, exposed traverse along the West Wall to the base of Deep Gill, and a final hand-over-hand climb to the broad summit plateau; exposure is notable on the narrow sections of the rake and gill, where a misstep could lead to injury.[32][34] In winter, the route demands caution due to ice accumulation on the steep scrambles and scree, often requiring crampons, ice axes, and experience in snow conditions to mitigate slips on frozen ground. It gains popularity during charity events like the National Three Peaks Challenge, where participants sometimes extend from nearby Scafell Pike to include Scafell, though the direct Wasdale approach remains favored for its accessibility from the valley base.[36][37]From Eskdale
The primary hiking route to Scafell from the Eskdale valley follows the upper reaches of the River Esk, passing Cam Spout and ascending via Foxes Tarn, offering a scenic and relatively remote approach to the summit. This path typically begins at the car park in Brotherilkeld, at the foot of Hardknott Pass, or slightly further down the valley from Eskdale Green for those preferring a longer warm-up along the river. The round-trip distance is approximately 10 km with an elevation gain of 800 m, suitable for completion in 5-7 hours depending on pace and conditions.[38][39] From the starting point, hikers follow well-marked paths alongside the River Esk through the wild, boggy terrain of Upper Eskdale toward Cam Spout, a striking waterfall on How Beck with a total drop of about 90 m, often divided into multiple tiers that can be viewed from below or ascended alongside in drier weather. Beyond the waterfall, the route steepens into a rocky gully leading to Foxes Tarn, a small, picturesque corrie tarn nestled in a hanging valley below Scafell's eastern flanks; the path here becomes rougher with loose scree and wet patches, particularly near the tarn's outlet. This section provides dramatic views of the surrounding fells while remaining less crowded than the more popular Wasdale approaches, allowing for a quieter experience amid the Lake District's southern wilds.[40][39][41] The route is rated moderate overall, with some wet and boggy sections in Upper Eskdale and minor scrambles around Foxes Tarn requiring good balance but no significant exposure or technical climbing gear. It serves as an excellent alternative for avoiding the hazardous Broad Stand scramble associated with western routes. For variations, hikers can extend the ascent by detouring to the subsidiary summit of Slight Side before summiting Scafell, creating a rewarding circuit that adds minimal distance while enhancing the panoramic vistas; descent typically retraces the ascent or links to nearby paths for a loop back to Brotherilkeld.[39][41]From Scafell Pike
The traverse from Scafell Pike to Scafell primarily follows a path over the Mickledore col, a narrow ridge at 840 m (2,756 ft) that connects the two summits.[42] This route adds approximately 2-3 km to ascents of Scafell Pike, involving a descent of about 138 m to the col followed by a 124 m ascent to Scafell's summit, typically extending the journey by 1-2 hours depending on conditions and fitness.[43] The Mickledore ridge itself is a sharp, exposed feature that demands careful navigation, particularly in poor visibility.[44] The most direct continuation from the col onto Scafell involves Broad Stand, a series of steep rock slabs and steps culminating in a challenging approximately 3-6 m vertical rock step graded as Moderate to Difficult in scrambling terms.[45] This obstacle requires hands-on scrambling with potential abseil for descent or bypass options for inexperienced walkers, though it carries a high risk of slips due to polished holds and exposure over a significant drop.[46] The rough texture of the local rhyolite rock can provide some grip, but wet or icy conditions exacerbate the hazards.[17] For those seeking a safer alternative, the route descends from Mickledore to Foxes Tarn via loose scree paths, then ascends Scafell via the Foxes Path, avoiding Broad Stand but adding extra distance and time.[47] This option is recommended for novices despite its steeper initial descent.[11] This extension is a popular addition for hikers aiming to complete the "full Scafell" experience by summiting both peaks, though the National Trust and mountain rescue teams issue strong warnings about the dangers, citing multiple fatalities on Broad Stand due to falls.[44][46]Rock Climbing Routes
Scafell Crag, the dominant feature on the mountain's eastern face, hosts over 150 traditional rock climbing routes ranging from Very Difficult to Extreme grade E9, offering climbers a mix of crack systems, slabs, and overhanging walls on rhyolite and andesite rock up to 120 meters in length.[12][48] The crag's position at around 900 meters elevation provides a high-mountain atmosphere with significant exposure, making it one of England's premier venues for multi-pitch trad climbing, though the rock can become slippery in damp conditions.[12] Key climbing areas include the imposing Central Buttress and the more accessible East Buttress, alongside gullies like Moss Ghyll, which features the classic Moss Ghyll Grooves (VS 4c), first ascended in 1926 after years of effort by H. Kelly and a team.[49][50] Another historic route is Botterill's Slab (VS 4c), a beautifully cleaved slab pioneered on June 3, 1903, by Fred Botterill and companions, representing an early bold ascent on the crag.[51] Rakes such as Fisher's Rake provide easier access to upper tiers, while harder lines like Jones Route Direct (HVS 5a), first climbed in 1898, traverse the dramatic Scafell Pinnacle.[52] Modern extreme routes push the limits, exemplified by Return of the King (E9 6c) on the East Buttress, first ascended by Dave Birkett in 2004 and repeated with on-sight gear placement in 2019.[53] Representative examples from the 1920s include routes like the Direct Route variations (HVS), which built on early explorations to establish more direct lines up the buttresses.[54] Access to the crags is typically via Lord's Rake from Wasdale, a steep scree-filled gully leading to the base, or from Eskdale through Grains Gill for a longer approach.[55] Essential gear includes a full rack of nuts and cams for natural protection, double ropes for the pitches, and helmets due to potential rockfall.[12] In winter, the gullies transform into ice and mixed climbs, with Moss Ghyll offering Grade IV options when frozen, though conditions vary and require ice screws, crampons, and axes.[56] Safety concerns are paramount given the high exposure and loose rock; climbers must assess weather and rock quality carefully, as underestimation has led to incidents including leader falls and the historic 1903 tragedy on nearby faces.[12][57] Recent rescues highlight the risks, such as a 2025 fall injuring a leader severely on the crag.[58]History
Etymology and Naming
The name Scafell originates from Old Norse, likely combining skalli, meaning "bald" or "bare" (referring to the mountain's rocky, vegetation-scarce summit), with fjall, meaning "mountain" or "fell." An alternative interpretation derives it from skagi, denoting a "cape," "promontory," or "shoulder," possibly describing the mountain's protruding form.[59][60] These elements reflect the Norse settlers' influence in the Lake District during the Viking Age, where such descriptive terms were common for landscape features.[61] Historical records show the name evolving through various spellings. It was first attested in 1578 as Skallfield, a form that preserved the Old Norse roots more closely.[3] By the late 18th century, variants like Scafell and Scawfell emerged, with Scawfell—reflecting the local Cumbrian pronunciation of "Scaw"—becoming the predominant spelling in literature and maps from the early 19th century until around 1867.[62] The Ordnance Survey's 1867 edition of the Wasdale map standardized Scafell without the "w," drawing from earlier surveying triangles but diverging from local orthography; this official adoption gradually supplanted Scawfell, which remained common in regional usage until the 1920s.[62] The naming of Scafell has long been intertwined with its higher neighbor, Scafell Pike, leading to historical confusion. Originally, Scafell encompassed the entire massif, including its subsidiary peaks; the term Pike (from Old Norse pik, meaning "pointed peak") was appended in the early 19th century—first noted around 1818–1856—to specify the prominent eastern summit and distinguish it after surveys revealed it as England's highest point.[62] Local Cumbrian speakers often still refer to the area holistically as Scawfell, blurring the modern distinction and highlighting ongoing variations in usage.[62]Exploration and First Ascents
The earliest recorded exploration of Scafell occurred in August 1802, when the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge undertook a traverse of the mountain during a nine-day walking tour of the Lake District, reaching the summit on August 5 and subsequently descending the challenging Broad Stand ridge, which may represent the first known summit via that route.[63][64] This expedition, documented in letters to Sara Hutchinson, marked a pivotal moment in British mountaineering history, as Coleridge's vivid description of the rock scramble on Broad Stand is often cited as the first account of recreational rock climbing in England.[65] During the 19th century, further surveys and mappings of Scafell were conducted by figures including William Wordsworth and associates such as the Hutchinsons, contributing to early topographical understanding of the fell's challenging terrain amid limited prior documentation.[66] The 1820s saw the emergence of the first guided ascents from Wasdale, led by local shepherds and innkeepers who facilitated access for tourists, establishing foundational routes and popularizing the mountain beyond solitary literary ventures.[66] Climbing milestones accelerated in the late 19th century, with Walter Parry Haskett-Smith's solo first ascent of Napes Needle on nearby Great Gable in 1886—a 70-foot freestanding rock pinnacle—heralding the birth of rock climbing as a distinct sport and inspiring rapid development of routes on Scafell's crags.[67][25] In the 20th century, Scafell's adjacent fells gained symbolic significance post-World War I, when the Fell and Rock Climbing Club purchased and donated land encompassing Great Gable and Scafell Pike to the National Trust in 1920 as a war memorial to honor fallen members, with a plaque unveiled on Great Gable in 1924. This era also witnessed pioneering routes on Scafell itself, including the first ascent of Central Buttress in 1914 by Siegfried Herford, George S. Sansom, Charles F. Holland, Charles G. Crawford, and David G. Murray—a severe, exposed climb that advanced technical standards and was repeated in the 1920s, such as Mabel Barker's female ascent in 1925.[68][69]Notable Incidents
One of the most tragic events in British climbing history occurred on 21 September 1903, when four experienced climbers—R. W. Broadrick, A. E. W. Garrett, H. L. Jupp, and S. Ridsdale—perished after a fatal fall on Scafell Crags near Scafell Pinnacle.[57] The group, roped together, was attempting a new route on the buttress when a slip by the leader caused the entire party to plummet approximately 200 feet onto the scree below Lord's Rake; three died immediately, while Ridsdale succumbed to his injuries during rescue efforts early the next morning.[57] This incident marked the first major multiple fatality in British rock climbing, highlighting the perils of uncharted routes and inadequate protection on steep terrain.[57] Rockfalls have posed ongoing hazards in the Scafell area, particularly along Lord's Rake. In December 2002, a massive pillar collapsed in the upper section of the rake, creating unstable conditions and loose debris that endangered subsequent climbers and walkers.[70] Further instability culminated in August 2016, when a large perched boulder—precariously balanced since the 2002 event—fragmented and fell, prompting mountain rescue teams to issue warnings and temporarily advise against using the path due to fresh rockfall risks.[15] A rockfall on 12 October 2019 injured two walkers in Lord's Rake, one with a head injury and the other with leg injuries, requiring assistance from the Coastguard helicopter and Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team.[71] No major rockfall incidents have been reported in the area since 2019 as of November 2025. Other notable events include several hypothermia cases in the 1990s, often linked to sudden weather changes during ascents, as well as incidents during World War II training exercises where military aircraft crashed into the crags, such as two Hurricanes striking Horn Crag on 12 August 1941.[72] The Scafell region continues to see frequent emergencies, with the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team averaging over 100 callouts annually, approximately 20-30 of which involve Scafell or Scafell Pike, primarily due to slips, exposure, and navigation errors.[73] These incidents have influenced safety protocols, leading to enhanced signage in high-risk areas like Mickledore and recommendations to abseil the exposed steps of Broad Stand rather than scramble them without ropes, reducing subsequent accidents at this notorious black spot.[46]Ecology
Flora and Fauna
The flora of Scafell features alpine species well-suited to the exposed, nutrient-poor soils and severe weather of the high fells. Moss campion (Silene acaulis) grows in dense, cushion-like mats on rocky outcrops, enabling it to resist strong winds and desiccation.[74] Starry saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris) flourishes in moist cracks and flushes, its star-shaped white flowers emerging in summer.[75] Lichens, such as various Rhizocarpon species, colonize boulders extensively, forming colorful crusts that stabilize the rock surface over time.[76] In sheltered gullies and corries, dwarf willow (Salix herbacea), Britain's smallest native tree, forms prostrate mats no more than a few centimeters tall, adapted to cold and shade.[76] The broader upland fells encompassing Scafell host including bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and common heather (Calluna vulgaris), which dominate dry heath communities. These low-growing perennials exhibit compact growth forms and deep root systems to endure high winds, frost, and poor soil fertility.[76] Scafell's fauna reflects the challenging montane environment, with species that exploit diverse microhabitats from scree to tarns. Birds are prominent, including peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), which breed on steep cliffs and hunt using high-speed dives.[77] Ravens (Corvus corax) are year-round residents, scavenging and nesting in rocky crags, while ring ouzels (Turdus torquatus)—summer visitors—favor boulder fields for breeding and foraging on invertebrates.[77] Many of these birds undertake seasonal migrations to milder climates during winter. Mammals on Scafell include red deer (Cervus elaphus), which graze the open fell sides in herds and use the terrain for shelter. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) prowl the slopes, preying on smaller mammals and birds at night. Invertebrates thrive in localized wet areas, with rare butterflies such as the mountain ringlet (Erebia epiphron) occurring near tarns and flushes. Microhabitats play a key role: scree slopes support ferns like parsley fern (Cryptogramma crispa) in unstable gravel, while damp zones around Foxes Tarn host aquatic plants such as shoreweed (Littorella uniflora) and associated amphibians.[76] These pockets of moisture contrast with the surrounding dry, acidic substrates derived from Borrowdale Volcanic rocks, fostering specialized communities.[76]Conservation Efforts
Scafell, as part of the Lake District National Park established in 1951, benefits from stringent protections under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which safeguards sites of special scientific interest and controls activities that could harm biodiversity across the region.[78] The entire Lake District was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, recognizing its cultural and natural significance and mandating ongoing conservation to preserve its landscapes from development and degradation. Key initiatives focus on mitigating human impact through path maintenance and restoration. The Fix the Fells program, a multi-agency partnership launched in the early 2000s to address erosion on upland paths, has repaired sections on Scafell and surrounding fells, with over £2.5 million raised by the Lake District Foundation supporting local projects since the 1990s.[79][80] In August 2025, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) organized a volunteer effort where 12 participants constructed a 20-meter-long earth barrier, or "megabund," at Hollowstones on Scafell Pike to divert water and prevent further path erosion, as part of their Mend Our Mountains campaign.[81] Major challenges include severe footpath erosion driven by approximately 250,000 annual visitors to Scafell Pike, exacerbated by heavy rainfall and climate change, which widens scars on fragile slopes and threatens vegetation stability.[82][83] Additionally, rockfalls, such as the 2016 collapse of the iconic Lord's Rake boulder on Scafell, have prompted enhanced monitoring and safety measures to manage loose scree and protect both the terrain and climbers.[15] These efforts have yielded positive outcomes, including stabilized paths that support habitat recovery and biodiversity enhancement through reduced soil loss. Monitoring by Fix the Fells rangers tracks vegetation regrowth, while park guidelines enforce restrictions on off-path travel to minimize disturbance, ensuring long-term preservation of the fell's ecological integrity.[79][84]References
- https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Scafell