Scafell Pike
Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England and is located in the Central Fells and stands at 978metres / 3209 ft with superb 360 degree views. Scafell Pike is one huge pile of boulders set amidst the Volcanic belt of the southern Cumbrian Mountains and this surviving reminder of the mountain's turbulent past provides the roughest walking on this challenge.
Scafell Pike consists of igneous rock dating from the Ordovician period, and is geologically part of the Borrowdale Volcanics. The summit plateau of Scafell pike, and the other neighbouring peaks, is covered with shattered rock debris which provides the highest altitude example of a summit boulder field in England. The boulder field is thought to have been caused in part by weathering, such as frost action and possibly earth movement caused by earthquakes. From a logistical point of view and especially for those groups based in or around Keswick, the best route involving the least amount of driving is via Seathwaite Farm. This route is 6.5km longer than via Wasdale Head and Lingmell Col and is more taxing, but scenically far superior. Our approach begins at Seathwaite Farm at the end of Borrowdale, proceeding via Sty Head Tarn then taking the Corridor Route, formerly known as the Guides Route. This is a delightful walk along the western flank of the Sca Fell massif affording intimate views of the mountain, before joining the route from Wasdale near the summit. The return leg is back the same way or alternatively heading between Broad Crag and Ill Crag towards Great End and descending by Grains Gill back to Seathwaite. We have run a number of company team building days while the group ascends Scafell Pike, using its great location and views to forge new freindships and bonds. |
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