Starting from Seathwaite
Sca Fell Pike, the long way round,
with exceptional weather,
clear sky,
no wind.
A rare, fine, April day
between incessant showers.
It was the day to go.
Seathwaite
Seathwaite valley was as crowded as I’ve ever seen it. A bank holiday hike. The only weather window this Easter had pulled everyone out of cars and cafes.
Taylor Gill Force
Taylor Gill was quieter than the easy trail up past Stockley Bridge. Our only companions some scouts practising their navigation. Though they didn’t get as far as the scramble.
Styhead Gill
The scurge of water had at least filled the falls. It was already worth looking back.
Back to Seathwaite
And forward to our destination
.
Styhead Tarn had hardly a ripple
Styhead Tarn
Winter may be hanging on, defying spring, but the colours were almost as good in the clear day.
Corridor Route
Eventually, quite high up, we hit the snowline, and for a while, things became a little more formidable.
Corridor Route
But then, as we turned the corner, there were people out to play! Tens, may be 100. Out in all kinds of attire. Kitted up as ice climbers, or simply in their trainers and t-shirts. Mountain rescue’s worst nightmare all rolled up on one mountain.
Lingmell and the Wasdale Hills
People, though, were happy. It was impossible not to smile. Piers Gill slashed ominously across the folds as we headed over to Broad Crag
Piers Gill
Leaving most of the hoards behind, taking their trail back to Wasdale, we took the almost deserted route over the quiet hill,
Broad Crag
down past Grains Gill, and the muted greens of a struggling spring.
Grains Gill
