Walkhighlands

I found this to be a very, very hard slog which starts just above sea level and for the most part is a stone staircase of lung-bursting proportions. Most of the 3,000ft ascent is achieved in about 1 mile of very steep climbing and after that there are many false summits which sap the strength from your will and your legs. This is definitely the most difficult lump of rock I have ever trudged up. It took me around 5 hours to cover less than 7 miles.

The view from the top was stunning, as was the view from the bottom and all points on the ascent. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful place I have ever been. It took my breath away in more ways than one.

I've never tackled the pike from Wasdale. Did you go Via Styhead? I like the route from Seathwaite and Esk Hause, Returning Via the Corridor route and Styhead. I've written elsewhere about my thoughts on Scafell Pike, for me it's a G.U.S.O (Get Up, Sod Off) mountain. Once there enjoy the view for a few minutes the beat a hasty retreat from the noise and crowds. Ideally head for Lingmell with it's summit perched on the edge of the cliffs overlooking Piers Gill and with superb views of Mosedale, Great Gable and the Scafells and that all important peace and tranquility.

colgregg wrote:it's a G.U.S.O (Get Up, Sod Off) mountain

Agreed. The walk up those steps was bad enough but meeting 200 people on the summit was just horrific.

I went up the path/steps from the Wasdale Head car park, up and over Brown Tongue, left and over the boulder fields to Lingmell Col and then up, up and up to the summit. It's a mountain that everyone should do at some point but the enjoyment is in having done it rather than the crowded experience following a conga up and down and searching for a place to sit on the summit to enjoy your cup of tea.

G.U.S.O. Applies to all the main summits in the lake district during the summer months.I walked Scafell Pike the winter before last,me and my mates had the summit to ourselves and a beautiful sunset to watch as well.

If your looking at doing Scafell at some point go from Eskdale/Hardknott side this is a generally quieter as is the summit of Scafell ,you ll be able to see the massed crowds on the Pike from there whilst you have a nice quiet lunch.Enjoy

You need to be early to get a parking place and to be alone on the summit!

The problem is magnified in the approaching summer months.

For some reason a lot of interesting fells don't get the attention they deserve and therefore are quieter.

Also when choosing routes some paths seem to have fallen out of favour !

Regarding Scafell Pike, at the moment, if you can be parked before 9.00 you'll get a space and if you can be on the summit by about 10.30 you might be lucky to have it to yourself.

From about the end of this month things will start to get busier - so you will need to be even earlier!

There's lot of nice, quiet summits in the Lakes - obviously Scafell Pike will never be one as it's the main attraction for tourists, being the biggest. But I love both the Wasdale ascent which is short and quick, and the one from Seathwaite, especially via The Corridor Route, as it's very interesting - it is long though...