12th March 2017
- Wasdale Head to Scafell and Back
After four months of
excited anticipation we headed to Wasdale Head National Trust
campsite at 09:30 on Sunday 12th March. I had been keeping a close
eye on the forecast for the previous two-weeks, and although it was
due to be grim, the air seemed quite calm and spring was on the way.
A faint fog hung around the top of Scafell, but we set off hoping
this would lift as the day went on.
We followed a regular route up and enjoyed some views, but we soon
started to lose the views the higher we got and it was showing no
signs of lifting either.
After some scrambling and slipping and
sliding we reached the top, however we couldn't see more than 30
feet in front of us, meaning it was going to be challenge heading
back done. With weather like this it goes to show it's all about
planning and preparation. We went armed with digital maps, paper
maps, print outs of the route, plus enough food and water to keep us
going all night if we got lost.
Although we went
slightly off the path on the way down, a quick about-turn got us
back on track and before we knew it we were below the clouds and the
views started to open up and we could see the pub, the final
destination of today's climb.
The Wasdale Head Inn is a great boozer
with lots of options of real ale, lagers and spirits. Whilst we did
not eat here, the food that was leaving the kitchen looked and
smelled lush and if we were not planning on a roast later on, I
would certainly have happily scoffed down a load of munch here.
