Scafell Pike & Blencathra

For the past 23 years, we have holidayed with the Bain family in various places in England and Wales, our children growing up together in a healthy environment of hiking, board games and irresponsible parents drinking too much wine. This year, we return to the Lake District in late September, no longer constrained by school holidays.

Our first walk is a gentle stroll round the southern end of Derwent Water, flooded due to recent rainfall.

It’s a scorcher. A cow has the right idea, cooling off in the river, ignoring Cal’s attempt to entice it with tasty grass.

Duncan and I bring up the rear. Well, someone has to stop for photographs.

The sensible people choose the road for the return to the cars. Cal, Rhys, Jude and I explore the flood waters. The lads will paddle ahead and determine if we can cross the valley without needing to strip off.

After a long wait, the phone rings. It’s Cal. I can hear the sound of water.

“It’s up to our waists. I would turn back.”

We backtrack, take the long way round and meet them on the other side. Sometimes the view is sufficient, leaving the experience for more hardy souls.

Blencathra via Sharp Edge

Having comfortably hiked along Helvellyn’s Striding Edge a few years ago, I’m keen to try Sharp Edge up to the summit of Blencathra. It’s a short drive from Keswick on another beautiful day.

Scales Tarn is a lovely spot for lunch, sheltered from the cold wind, before the group splits into scramblers and walkers.

The scrambling party consists of four children, plus Duncan and me bringing up the rear. Cal leads the way, and the dads are soon left far behind. It feels slightly more technical than Striding Edge, and a little more exposed in places.

At one point, I find myself alone as Duncan drops down for a less exposed route, and the children are off the ridge. I’m unsure of the right line to take, not helped by Matt shouting down:

“You’re going the wrong way!”

“What!!”

“Just kidding.”

I’ll be having a word with his parents. I’m sitting astride a boulder with a sharp drop on either side, but rather than stop and think about it, I tell myself to keep going and climb along the side of a rocky outcrop with small footholds. Not a good place to fall.

Three points of contact. Three points of contact. Three points of contact.

Reaching a smooth sloping slab, I resort to my hands and knees. This has my heart pumping.

We all make it up. I’d not like to descend the ridge.

The views back down to the tarn are glorious.

The party gathers at the summit to celebrate. Crib Goch next?

Scafell Pike Corridor Route

On my coastal walk, I hiked Scafell (by mistake) and Scafell Pike from Eskdale: Day 200. Today, we are taking the Corridor Route, considered the most scenic route to the summit of the highest mountain in England.

We park in a farm at Seathwaite and head up the valley, blessed once more with fine weather.

The Corridor Route starts above tranquil Styhead Tarn, where a DoE expedition has obtained permission for an overnight camp.

The traverse begins gently with expansive views down to Wasdale Head.

Great Gable dominates the skyline behind us.

The views are incredible. Although some guides suggest that you need a head for heights, it’s unclear what this refers to, as there are only a couple of easy scrambles, neither of which is exposed. The path winds round the head of the notorious Piers Gill.

The most challenging section is the final rocky ascent to the summit of Scafell Pike, which is relatively quiet. The cold wind forces us to hunker down inside a low rock shelter for a quick sandwich before making a steep boulder-strewn descent down to Broad Crag for the return leg.

Great Gable is ever-present and always changing as cloud shadows drift across its slopes.

Leaving the boulder field for a firm path, we relax and enjoy the long descent.

One of my favourite hikes. There’s nowhere finer than the Lake District in good weather.

After this September break for family holidays, I’m back on the coast path in October, picking up from Corrour Station and heading into the Morvern Peninsula, with a diversion to explore the Mamores. Wilderness, mountains and coastline — bliss.