6 AM up to prepare to leave, prepare food, isotonic drinks, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses,water etc, packing ALL the items you would need. This is critical. People die on these mountains, in fact Rob witnessed a rescue mission for a guy, but he was dead before they reached him. There are many mountain rescue boxes in critical places if people need to be treated urgently. We took all the necessary clothing, and gloves would have been great on the top, as temperatures change rapidly, and conditions can change quickly. We were lucky. It was a good day to climb, having already climbed the Old Man of Coniston two days before! Rob is highly organized, and if you climb he is the man to go with!! We left at 7:30 AM, and it took an hour and a half to drive to the parking spot to start the trip. At 9 AM we struck out into a large valley bottom, and followed a path for about 40 minutes. Beautiful scenery: that is why Rob lives here, to be inspired by nature. He is an experienced mountaineer, and has climbed most of the peaks here many times, even in the winter, and is very aware of the dangers, especially in winter. We noticed crampon scratches on rocks where people had done our climb in the winter. Sheep are everywhere of course, as sheep farming is going on everywhere possible. Fences are all rock mounds everywhere, sometimes fencing is added as well. We struck out across the flat valley bottom which was filled with peat: squelchy, spongy, springy grass that sinks with each step. We sidestepped boggy areas, but water did get into my shoes, but never caused a problem. Streams were everywhere, all day, and we stepped across those, stepping on rocks etc. Then we arrived at the base of the mountain. We were about to climb Scafell Pike at 3 209 feet high, then Esk Pike, 2 900 feet, then Bowfell mountain 2 960 feet. It took us nearly 10 hours, and the total ascent was 4 600 feet. Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in the UK, and we did it. Rob has done it a few times before!
Above: the start near the farmhouse, and along this valley
Above: young streams clogged with boulders
Above: a huge buttress of rock, not the one we climbed!
Below : the pics below show the start of the ascent from the valley bottom. We climbed to the right of this waterfall. It was steep, and we used hands and feet. Magnificent views of the valley below.
Below : stopped during the ascent to take this.
Once we reached the top of this waterfall, the ascent continued. There is always more to climb. We then rested before starting the scree slope climb towards the top of Scafell Pike . It is dangerous. You climb over loose boulders of all sizes and the slide from under you, so you take more care than usual.It was strenuous. Then we came to an area that linked the different mountains. We looked over at the other side, and that was great but there was a serious ascent to the top still. One step in front of another. This is spiritual work: there is a goal. Life mirrors the obstacles and difficulties and dangers. Our muscles were now so warm that they perform for you. Every step is a decision; every handhold too. There were many climbers on the mountain with gear, especially walking poles. The final ascent was a challenge ( isn't life?) and we followed the cairns ( large piles of boulders to mark the way). There was no path, as we were climbing on boulders, and rocks only. Eventually we reached the cairn marking the top of the highest peak in the UK. We had made it......the cairn was an enclosure built up and is visible from many miles away. It was quite cold up there....cold hands especially, and I didn't bring gloves. Very windy up there, and Rob and I found a small sheltered rock enclosure and had a lunch, and isotonic drink....well timed!! Then, the descent. I found it harder. I used my bum to negotiate difficult bits, especially the one very close to the edge. I was nervous of slipping on the loose rock and going over!! Rob was always ahead of me, leading the way, and that was good. We got to the col again ( linking the mountains ) but the way down was UP!! We then climbed Esk Pike. It was a challenge to go up again, but we were already up in the mountains and this was not as hard as Scafell Pike. Still it was a challenge. Then we went down again. Some of the paths were great....we were right up and views superb. Sometimes it was flat, sometimes over huge boulders again. We made this peak, and went down again to Bow Fell. Same challenges, but muscles performed. At the top of this one, we had our yoghurt and coffee. The descent was not so bad, but you had to be vigilant as always to avoid twisted ankles. We arrived at the 3 tarns ( lakes ) and Rob said we had to descend into the valley below. He has a GPS which charts everything. We knew we were not lost but there was no path. The descent was tricky. I fell on my bum as loose rocks pulled my feet out. Lucky escape: no injury. We had to be very careful not to step into holes in the grass, which we could see. Again, soggy grass on the side of the mountain. I was most relieved when we did find the path in the valley bottom, and walked towards the other side of the valley. It was the same huge valley we had started in, but we were on the other side. The going was way easier again, and we reached the stone bridge in the pic. Great to get to the car. We drove to a pub and had a local light ale, which was great, and then on home for an already prepared supper. After looking at some of my pics, we hit the sack! What a great day for a fat boy! I hope to lose some more weight before I get to Canada but no guarantees. Thanks for reading this far!! May you reach the top of your mountain with joy and peace!
Above: take great care
Above: boulder hopping
Below: the stone bridge at the beginning of the walk. We arrived here on the return.
Below: sheep rule the road
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