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Total Distance: 14 Miles
Highest Point: 3188 Feet
Total Realistic Time: ~8 Hours

“There is a better-known war memorial on Great Gable, commemorating the members of the Fell & Rock Climbing Club. Scafell Pike is one of three British peaks climbed as part of the National Three Peaks Challenge, and is the highest ground for over 90 miles.”

– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scafell_Pike

Started at the National Trust car park in Rossett in the Langdale area.  If you get there early enough there are free parking spaces around the area.  We joined National Trust to help support the parks around the UK, also benefit from free parking in National trust car parks around multiple amazing parks.

There was a heat wave going on in the UK at the time which the Lake District area had water restrictions going on due to no rainfall for a month.  The pub toilets and the usual toilets in National Parks were closed, replaced by portaloos temporarily while this was going on.  After a quick refreshment we headed to the start of the walk which was by the car park.

The first part of the walk was hard going, a what seems to be a never ending gradual incline made me feel a bit sick, probably overdone it, rather than keeping to a steady pace throughout.  After a quick stop for first sandwich and cola bottles to fuel, we carried on start stop start stop, it was challenging.  When the fuel kicked in I felt a lot better.  I think a Full English Breakfast would have been a good start before starting this strenuous walk.

The weather was amazing, on looking up at the mountains, clouds were sitting on top and slowly clearing.  Where we were at the top halfway up, it was clear blue skies, you could see clear views of the Great Gable, beautiful scenery.

Most of the way there is a path, mainly of loose stones, big steps and rocks.  Where there was not a path, there were mounds of rocks which did not have a particular path, you could get across whichever way you liked, on smaller rocks or bigger rocks which eventually takes you back onto the path towards the big finish.  

When you look at the last section of rocks, it looks like a very steep ascent up to the top.  When you are actually on the last section of rocks, it does not seem that bad at all compared to some of the parts coming up, there were denser area of rocks which could lead you anywhere if the weather is not clear to actually see the summit.  I found it enjoyable and it works on your balancing skills, jumping or walking from rock to rock, got to be careful as there are big rocks which are loose.  

When you do get to the summit, the views are unbelievable, you have to be there to experience the beauty with the vast amounts of amazing formed mountains surrounding the area and the peacefulness.

EQUIPMENT

• Camelbak Backpack
• Apple iPhone 7 with Apple iPhone Smart Battery Case
• OS Maps app (signed up to 1 year auto renew at £19.99 to use the app with OS Explorer Map 1:25k – click here for more info)
• Salomon Women’s Ultra 3 GTX Low Rise Hiking Shoes (first big hike with these new GoreTex Waterproof shoes, been on shorter walks previously and they were fine.  I was wearing the Compression sock sleeves and the 1000 Mile socks on top, I noticed side of the small toes were rubbing a little bit against the side of the shoe as the compression sock sleeves seemed to stop just below the toes – will try with just 1 pair of socks next time.  No blisters so I will keep these shoes)
• Long 1000 Mile Women’s Ultimate Walking Socks
• Helly Hansen running t-shirt
• DHK Sport Zip Jacket
• North Face Walking Trousers
• Modetro Sports Knee Support (for left knee)
• Footcare compression sock sleeves for arch and ankle support by Modetro
• Buff Neck Scarf
• Smidge That Midge Insect Repellent (great for deterrent of midges and mosquitoes.  I seem to be tasty and usually get multiple bites, I tried this as it was DEET free it also smells nice and it seems to be working so far)

FOOD AND DRINK

• 1 Litre Water Bladder
• 1 x 500ml Flask with cold water
• 1 x 500ml Evian water
• 1 and 1/2 Toasted Sandwiches with Peanut Butter and Jam
• Handful of Cola Bottles

WISH I HAD

• Shorts (it was a hot day, hotter than I thought once the clouds cleared)
• More snacks, healthy snacks like nuts and dried fruit
• A full english breakfast an hour before the walk
• Thin pair of gloves (to protect your hands from the sharp rocks)
• Cap (protection from the sun)
• Suntan Lotion (protection from the sun’s rays as it was out most of the entire walk)