A (sort of) Scandale Round.

[mamoset]

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Being a total romantic, I decided to spend Valentines Day out on the hills, joined by my usual walking mate and also my eldest son, who has decided he wants to get out and about more. We chose Red Screes after arriving at the Lakes and finding the weather forecast of covered summits to be wrong. At last, one in our favour. We were going to go to Lingmoor Fell. Left Ambleside and followed the path through Nook End Farm.

Ruined watch tower near Ambleside.

It was fairly easy going on this track right up to High Sweden Bridge, where we scared a pair of Ravens from a sheep carcass!!!

High Sweden Bridge.

Instead of heading up to Scandale Pass, we turned right and went straight up the fellside, aiming for the path near Snarker Pike. Views improved a little as we gained height.

Low & High Pike, with Great Rigg beyond.

Distant Coniston Fells, Crinkles & Bowfell.

Originally, we were thinking of going to Wansfell from Red Screes, but figured doing a Scandale Round would be better option.

Wansfell over Pets Quarry.

We reached Snarker Pike and headed straight on to Red Screes.

Red Screes & Caudale Moor from Snarker Pike.

The snow was surprisingly deep and soft in places but we made Red Screes in time for lunch

Testing the water.

For those who don't know, this small tarn near the summit is about 50cm deep, and the ice on top was @ 40cm thick, so he's not as daft as he looks . Some nice views were had from the summit after we had eaten.

Helvellyn & Striding Edge.

Middle Dodd to Brothers Water.

Across to Harter Fell, Froswick & Ill Bell.

The wind really picked up intensity and cold at this point, so we quickly headed down to Scandale Pass before ascending Little Hart Crag.

Little Hart Crag.

At the Pass, a couple were feeding a pair of Ravens, which showed no fear at all.

Raven.

Low & High Pike over the heart shaped Scandale Tarn. Appropriate I think!!

As the weather appeared to be closing in from the west, we picked up the pace, and quickly nipped over to Dove Crag, before beginning a long descent over the High and Low Pike ridge.

Red Screes and the start of the long ridge.

Low Pike from High Pike.

It wasn't the easiest underfoot descending this ridge, but we made it without mishap. There is an excellently constructed wall running the length of this ridge, almost Hadrianesque.

The wall running to Low Pike.

After Low Pike, it was a steady descent all the way back to the car.

Looking back into Scandale.

Got to say, it was a far better day out than we had anticipated on the drive over, long may the MetOffice cock up

[SusieThePensioner]

That sounded a great day out! Enjoyed reading your report and some excellent photos of the views