Scafell Pike
Scafell Pike involves a mere 913m (2,995ft) of climbing, and is the smallest of the three mountains on the challenge at 977m (3,206ft). Past experience from other walkers suggests that the best route to choose is the one starting from the National Trust Camp site at Wasdale Head. Starting at Seathwaite has its advantages in that it's easier to get to from Scotland, and saves total driving time, but the walk itself takes a lot longer. Also navigation from this side is more difficult in low visibility conditions or at night. We all felt that we made the right decision by starting out at Wasdale Head. Whichever way you climb Scafell, it's always going to be tough. It's not a very touristy mountain like Ben Nevis, and especially Snowdon, which has a cafe and a train station at the top. Thus you are going to find yourself on a rubbish track rather than a well-groomed motorway. Scafell was unpleasant and it was probably just as well that we climbed it in the dark, and got it over and done with. The terrain is a rocky path from rough crag to scree and has a rock summit. The route difficulty is regarded as strenuous. The distance from the start to the summit is approximately 2.5 miles (4km).
Maps
OS Landranger (1:50,000) no 90 and 89: OS Outdoor Leisure (1:25,000) no 6 and 4: Harvey's Walkers Map (1:40,000) and Superwalker (1:25,000) Lakeland West.
Tourist Information: Windermere, Keswick or Ambleside.
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