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Scafell

Scafell is a prominent mountain in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England, rising to 964 metres (3,163 ft) and ranking as the second-highest peak in the country after its neighbouring Scafell Pike.^[1] Part of the rugged Scafell massif, it overlooks Wastwater—the deepest lake in England—to the west and offers panoramic views eastward toward the Langdale Pikes.^[2] The name derives from Old Norse skalli (bald or rocky) + fjall (mountain).^[3] Geologically, Scafell is composed primarily of Borrowdale Volcanic Group rocks from the Ordovician period, formed as part of an ancient caldera volcano system that shaped much of the central Lake District.^[4] Erosion over millions of years has sculpted its steep cliffs and gullies, contributing to the area's distinctive high, craggy landscape alongside peaks like Helvellyn.^[4] The massif's volcanic origins include silicic ignimbrites and dacite lavas, evident in exposures around Scafell Crag.^[5] Scafell is renowned among mountaineers for its world-class rock climbing, particularly on Scafell Crag, one of England's most iconic and challenging venues.^[6] The crag, divided by gullies into major buttresses like the Central Buttress and Broad Stand, features routes ranging from classic Victorian-era ascents—such as the 1890 first ascent of the Scafell Pinnacle via Jordan Gap—to modern extreme lines like the E9 Welcome to the Cruel World established in the 2000s.^[6] The narrow ridge of Mickledore, separating Scafell's eastern and western ramparts, adds an alpine character to approaches, though it requires care due to exposure.^[6] Access is typically via Wasdale Head, with ascents involving a 90-minute approach to the crag base, best attempted in warm weather from late spring to early autumn.^[6] As a key feature of the Lake District—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017—Scafell attracts thousands of visitors annually for hiking, though its steeper terrain and remote sections demand experience and preparation compared to more accessible fells.^[1] The surrounding Wasdale area, including the National Trust-managed lands, provides starting points for routes that often combine Scafell with Scafell Pike for a full massif traverse.^[7] Its cultural significance ties into the Lake District's Romantic heritage, inspiring poets and artists with its wild, untamed beauty.^[1]

Geography and Location

Overview

Scafell is a mountain in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England, renowned for its rugged terrain and prominence in the English landscape.^[1] Rising to an elevation of 964 metres (3,163 feet), it ranks as the second-highest mountain in England, surpassed only by its neighbor Scafell Pike at 978 metres.^[1] Positioned within the Southern Fells, a subregion of the Lake District, Scafell lies at coordinates 54°26′53″N 3°13′30″W.^[8] With a topographic prominence of 132 metres, Scafell meets the criteria for classification as both a Hewitt—British hills exceeding 2,000 feet (610 metres) in elevation with at least 200 feet (61 metres) of prominence—and a Nuttall, which includes English and Welsh hills over 2,000 feet with a 50-foot (15-metre) drop.^[9] It forms an integral part of the Scafell massif, a compact cluster of high peaks connected by narrow ridges, immediately adjacent to Scafell Pike across the Mickledore col.^[10] Scafell holds significant appeal for outdoor enthusiasts, serving as a key destination for hikers and climbers drawn to its challenging ascents and dramatic vistas.^[11] The broader Lake District, encompassing Scafell and its surrounding fells, attracts approximately 18 million visitors annually (as of 2023), with the high fells like the Scafell massif contributing substantially to this figure through popular walking and mountaineering activities.^[1]

Topography

Scafell forms part of a prominent massif in the Lake District, characterized by a rugged main ridge that extends southwest to Slight Side, a subsidiary peak rising to 762 meters (2,499 feet). This ridge connects eastward to Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain at 978 meters (3,209 feet), via the narrow Mickledore col at approximately 840 meters (2,760 feet), a slender rocky traverse that exposes walkers to steep drops on either side. The terrain here features loose scree and eroded paths, demanding careful navigation due to the col's exposed nature. The mountain's western flanks are dominated by dramatic crags, including Scafell Crag, renowned as the steepest precipitous face in England with heights reaching up to 170 meters (about 560 feet) from base to summit. Adjacent to it lies the East Buttress, a bulging wall of rhyolite offering varied climbing lines up to 80 meters high, known for its overhanging cracks and grooves. These features create a formidable barrier, with near-vertical rock faces plummeting toward Wasdale, contrasting with the gentler, grassier slopes on the eastern approaches from Eskdale that allow for more accessible ascents.^[12]^[13] Lord's Rake serves as a major access gully between Scafell Crag and the neighboring crags, a steep, boulder-strewn chute rising over 180 meters (600 feet) that has historically provided a route to the summit but is fraught with hazards. In December 2002, a massive rockfall collapsed much of the upper section, rendering parts unstable and prompting warnings from mountain rescue teams. Further instability occurred in August 2016 when a large perched boulder at the gully's head fragmented and fell, an event monitored by authorities due to ongoing erosion risks.^[14]^[15] Broad Stand, a key rocky barrier on the direct ridge from Mickledore to Scafell's summit, consists of a series of steep slabs and steps requiring hands-on scrambling, graded as Difficult in traditional climbing terms due to polished holds and exposure to falls up to 6 meters. This feature, part of the mountain's southwestern terrain variations, underscores Scafell's challenging topography, where steep western descents give way to broader, undulating plateaus toward the east.^[16]^[17]

Geology

Rock Types

The rocks comprising Scafell belong to the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, a sequence of Ordovician volcanic deposits that dominate the geology of the Lake District. The primary compositions include rhyolite, a fine-grained, light-colored felsic volcanic rock high in silica and characterized by quartz and feldspar phenocrysts; andesite, an intermediate volcanic rock with a porphyritic texture often containing plagioclase, pyroxene, and hornblende; and breccia, consisting of angular fragments of volcanic material embedded in a finer matrix, formed through explosive eruptions and debris flows. Rhyolite predominates on major crags such as Scafell Crag, where flows and welded tuffs form the bulk of the exposed faces, valued for their structural integrity in maintaining near-vertical profiles. Andesite appears more commonly along ridges and lower slopes, including aphanitic basaltic varieties and porphyritic types that contribute to the mountain's undulating terrain. Breccia is distributed in episodic lenses and beds, particularly within formations like the Pavey Ark Breccia, reflecting localized collapses and pyroclastic accumulations during caldera activity.^[18] These rock types possess high resistance to chemical and physical weathering owing to their interlocking crystalline structures and low porosity, which has sustained Scafell's steep cliffs and sharp summits against prolonged glacial and fluvial erosion. Fracture patterns, influenced by jointing and cleavage in the rhyolite and andesite, produce blocky outcrops and ledges that enhance the mountain's suitability for rock climbing by offering reliable holds and routes.^[19]

Geological History

Scafell's geological origins trace back to the Ordovician period, approximately 450 million years ago, when it formed as part of an extensive volcanic arc along the southern margin of the closing Iapetus Ocean.^[20]^[21] Subduction of oceanic crust beneath the Avalonian margin triggered intense magmatic activity, leading to the eruption of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, which constitutes the core of the Scafell massif.^[20] This group encompasses a thick succession exceeding 6,000 meters, built up over less than 5 million years through predominantly subaerial and submarine lava flows, pyroclastic deposits, and ignimbrite eruptions within caldera systems, such as the Scafell Caldera.^[20]^[22] Following deposition, the region underwent significant uplift during the Caledonian Orogeny, a late Ordovician to early Devonian mountain-building event driven by the final closure of the Iapetus Ocean between Laurentia and Avalonia.^[23] This tectonic collision deformed the volcanic rocks through folding, faulting, and associated igneous intrusions, elevating the Borrowdale Volcanics into a nascent mountain range trending northeast-southwest across northern England.^[23]^[20] The orogeny marked the transition from active volcanism to structural stabilization, with no subsequent magmatic activity in the area.^[23] Over the ensuing 400 million years, relentless erosion by rivers, weathering, and multiple glaciations—from the Devonian period onward through Quaternary ice ages—sculpted the original volcanic plateau into the prominent peaks visible today.^[23]^[20] These processes reduced the once-vast orogenic highlands, exposing the resistant Borrowdale Volcanics as a rugged upland distinct from the surrounding older sedimentary sequences, such as the Skiddaw Group.^[20] Scafell now stands as a deeply eroded remnant of this ancient volcanic terrain, with its current form largely attributable to Pleistocene glacial carving that accentuated cirques and arêtes.^[22]

Summit Features

Description

The summit of Scafell reaches an elevation of 964 metres (3,163 feet), marking it as the second-highest mountain in England. It is distinguished by a prominent large cairn, constructed as a pile of stones atop a short rocky ridge, which serves as the primary marker of the highest point. Nearby lies an Ordnance Survey trig point, officially named Sca Fell but positioned on the adjacent Scafell Pike summit, providing a reference for surveying and navigation in the vicinity.^[9]^[24]^[25] The summit area forms a flat, rocky plateau spanning approximately 200 metres across, characterised by loose scree slopes and scattered boulders that create a rugged, uneven terrain. This bouldery expanse extends from the main ridge, offering a stable yet challenging surface underfoot due to the fragmented rock cover derived from the surrounding volcanic formations. The plateau's exposure contributes to its stark, elemental appearance, with minimal vegetation clinging to the edges.^[25]^[26] Scafell's summit is highly exposed to severe weather conditions typical of the Lake District fells, including frequent high winds that can exceed 30-35 mph on exposed ridges, persistent fog reducing visibility to near zero, and heavy precipitation throughout the year. The area experiences average annual rainfall exceeding 3,000 mm, concentrated in prolonged wet spells that amplify the challenging conditions for visitors. Infrastructure remains minimal, with no permanent buildings or facilities; navigation relies on occasional temporary markers such as stone cairns or path indicators that may shift with erosion or weather.^[27]^[28]^[29]

Views and Visibility

From the summit of Scafell, the primary views extend westward to the serpentine expanse of Wastwater, England's deepest lake, with the Irish Sea shimmering on the horizon during clear conditions.^[30] To the south, the verdant Eskdale valley stretches out, dotted with farmland and framed by distant hills. Eastward, the imposing forms of Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes rise sharply, accompanied by the jagged outline of Crinkle Crags and glimpses of the Coniston Fells.^[30] The northern panorama reveals the bold silhouette of Great Gable, with Pillar Rock and the Ennerdale valley nestled below, offering a sweeping vista of the western fells.^[30] This 360-degree aspect encompasses approximately 10-12 other fells exceeding 2,000 feet (610 meters) in elevation, among them the prominent profile of Scafell Pike to the northeast. On exceptionally clear days, visibility extends eastward up to 50 kilometers, allowing sight of Windermere and beyond.^[30] However, these vistas are frequently challenged by the region's variable weather, where hill fog and low cloud often obscure the summit, with the fells experiencing precipitation on over 200 days per year.^[31] Visibility is typically best during summer mornings, when overnight clouds may dissipate to reveal expansive panoramas before afternoon mists return.^[27]

Routes and Access

From Wasdale

The classic pedestrian route to Scafell from Wasdale begins at Wasdale Head, near the National Trust car park or inn, and follows a path along Lingmell Gill before ascending via Lord's Rake to the summit. This out-and-back trail covers approximately 8-10 km round trip with around 900 m of ascent, typically taking 4-6 hours for fit walkers depending on pace and conditions.^[32]^[33] The initial section involves a steep climb from the valley floor, crossing Lingmell Beck and following the gill's cascades through grassy slopes and rocky steps up to the col at Hollow Stones, where the terrain transitions to loose scree and boulder fields. Once in Lord's Rake—a narrow, steep gully—the path becomes increasingly hazardous, characterized by unstable scree slopes and fragmented rock debris from major rockfalls in 2002 and 2016, which have left large boulders and loose material that can shift underfoot, posing risks of slips or falls.^[32]^[34]^[15]^[35] Navigation requires careful route-finding, starting with a clear, signposted path from Wasdale Head that parallels Lingmell Gill and ascends Brown Tongue—a broad, eroded ridge—to the col at Hollow Stones, from where a faint scree path leads into Lord's Rake. The route then involves a moderate grade 1 scramble up the rake's loose slopes to Foxes Tarn, followed by a short, exposed traverse along the West Wall to the base of Deep Gill, and a final hand-over-hand climb to the broad summit plateau; exposure is notable on the narrow sections of the rake and gill, where a misstep could lead to injury.^[32]^[34] In winter, the route demands caution due to ice accumulation on the steep scrambles and scree, often requiring crampons, ice axes, and experience in snow conditions to mitigate slips on frozen ground. It gains popularity during charity events like the National Three Peaks Challenge, where participants sometimes extend from nearby Scafell Pike to include Scafell, though the direct Wasdale approach remains favored for its accessibility from the valley base.^[36]^[37]

From Eskdale

The primary hiking route to Scafell from the Eskdale valley follows the upper reaches of the River Esk, passing Cam Spout and ascending via Foxes Tarn, offering a scenic and relatively remote approach to the summit. This path typically begins at the car park in Brotherilkeld, at the foot of Hardknott Pass, or slightly further down the valley from Eskdale Green for those preferring a longer warm-up along the river. The round-trip distance is approximately 10 km with an elevation gain of 800 m, suitable for completion in 5-7 hours depending on pace and conditions.^[38]^[39] From the starting point, hikers follow well-marked paths alongside the River Esk through the wild, boggy terrain of Upper Eskdale toward Cam Spout, a striking waterfall on How Beck with a total drop of about 90 m, often divided into multiple tiers that can be viewed from below or ascended alongside in drier weather. Beyond the waterfall, the route steepens into a rocky gully leading to Foxes Tarn, a small, picturesque corrie tarn nestled in a hanging valley below Scafell's eastern flanks; the path here becomes rougher with loose scree and wet patches, particularly near the tarn's outlet. This section provides dramatic views of the surrounding fells while remaining less crowded than the more popular Wasdale approaches, allowing for a quieter experience amid the Lake District's southern wilds.^[40]^[39]^[41] The route is rated moderate overall, with some wet and boggy sections in Upper Eskdale and minor scrambles around Foxes Tarn requiring good balance but no significant exposure or technical climbing gear. It serves as an excellent alternative for avoiding the hazardous Broad Stand scramble associated with western routes. For variations, hikers can extend the ascent by detouring to the subsidiary summit of Slight Side before summiting Scafell, creating a rewarding circuit that adds minimal distance while enhancing the panoramic vistas; descent typically retraces the ascent or links to nearby paths for a loop back to Brotherilkeld.^[39]^[41]

From Scafell Pike

The traverse from Scafell Pike to Scafell primarily follows a path over the Mickledore col, a narrow ridge at 840 m (2,756 ft) that connects the two summits.^[42] This route adds approximately 2-3 km to ascents of Scafell Pike, involving a descent of about 138 m to the col followed by a 124 m ascent to Scafell's summit, typically extending the journey by 1-2 hours depending on conditions and fitness.^[43] The Mickledore ridge itself is a sharp, exposed feature that demands careful navigation, particularly in poor visibility.^[44] The most direct continuation from the col onto Scafell involves Broad Stand, a series of steep rock slabs and steps culminating in a challenging approximately 3-6 m vertical rock step graded as Moderate to Difficult in scrambling terms.^[45] This obstacle requires hands-on scrambling with potential abseil for descent or bypass options for inexperienced walkers, though it carries a high risk of slips due to polished holds and exposure over a significant drop.^[46] The rough texture of the local rhyolite rock can provide some grip, but wet or icy conditions exacerbate the hazards.^[17] For those seeking a safer alternative, the route descends from Mickledore to Foxes Tarn via loose scree paths, then ascends Scafell via the Foxes Path, avoiding Broad Stand but adding extra distance and time.^[47] This option is recommended for novices despite its steeper initial descent.^[11] This extension is a popular addition for hikers aiming to complete the "full Scafell" experience by summiting both peaks, though the National Trust and mountain rescue teams issue strong warnings about the dangers, citing multiple fatalities on Broad Stand due to falls.^[44]^[46]

Rock Climbing Routes

Scafell Crag, the dominant feature on the mountain's eastern face, hosts over 150 traditional rock climbing routes ranging from Very Difficult to Extreme grade E9, offering climbers a mix of crack systems, slabs, and overhanging walls on rhyolite and andesite rock up to 120 meters in length.^[12]^[48] The crag's position at around 900 meters elevation provides a high-mountain atmosphere with significant exposure, making it one of England's premier venues for multi-pitch trad climbing, though the rock can become slippery in damp conditions.^[12] Key climbing areas include the imposing Central Buttress and the more accessible East Buttress, alongside gullies like Moss Ghyll, which features the classic Moss Ghyll Grooves (VS 4c), first ascended in 1926 after years of effort by H. Kelly and a team.^[49]^[50] Another historic route is Botterill's Slab (VS 4c), a beautifully cleaved slab pioneered on June 3, 1903, by Fred Botterill and companions, representing an early bold ascent on the crag.^[51] Rakes such as Fisher's Rake provide easier access to upper tiers, while harder lines like Jones Route Direct (HVS 5a), first climbed in 1898, traverse the dramatic Scafell Pinnacle.^[52] Modern extreme routes push the limits, exemplified by Return of the King (E9 6c) on the East Buttress, first ascended by Dave Birkett in 2004 and repeated with on-sight gear placement in 2019.^[53] Representative examples from the 1920s include routes like the Direct Route variations (HVS), which built on early explorations to establish more direct lines up the buttresses.^[54] Access to the crags is typically via Lord's Rake from Wasdale, a steep scree-filled gully leading to the base, or from Eskdale through Grains Gill for a longer approach.^[55] Essential gear includes a full rack of nuts and cams for natural protection, double ropes for the pitches, and helmets due to potential rockfall.^[12] In winter, the gullies transform into ice and mixed climbs, with Moss Ghyll offering Grade IV options when frozen, though conditions vary and require ice screws, crampons, and axes.^[56] Safety concerns are paramount given the high exposure and loose rock; climbers must assess weather and rock quality carefully, as underestimation has led to incidents including leader falls and the historic 1903 tragedy on nearby faces.^[12]^[57] Recent rescues highlight the risks, such as a 2025 fall injuring a leader severely on the crag.^[58]

History

Etymology and Naming

The name Scafell originates from Old Norse, likely combining skalli, meaning "bald" or "bare" (referring to the mountain's rocky, vegetation-scarce summit), with fjall, meaning "mountain" or "fell." An alternative interpretation derives it from skagi, denoting a "cape," "promontory," or "shoulder," possibly describing the mountain's protruding form.^[59]^[60] These elements reflect the Norse settlers' influence in the Lake District during the Viking Age, where such descriptive terms were common for landscape features.^[61] Historical records show the name evolving through various spellings. It was first attested in 1578 as Skallfield, a form that preserved the Old Norse roots more closely.^[3] By the late 18th century, variants like Scafell and Scawfell emerged, with Scawfell—reflecting the local Cumbrian pronunciation of "Scaw"—becoming the predominant spelling in literature and maps from the early 19th century until around 1867.^[62] The Ordnance Survey's 1867 edition of the Wasdale map standardized Scafell without the "w," drawing from earlier surveying triangles but diverging from local orthography; this official adoption gradually supplanted Scawfell, which remained common in regional usage until the 1920s.^[62] The naming of Scafell has long been intertwined with its higher neighbor, Scafell Pike, leading to historical confusion. Originally, Scafell encompassed the entire massif, including its subsidiary peaks; the term Pike (from Old Norse pik, meaning "pointed peak") was appended in the early 19th century—first noted around 1818–1856—to specify the prominent eastern summit and distinguish it after surveys revealed it as England's highest point.^[62] Local Cumbrian speakers often still refer to the area holistically as Scawfell, blurring the modern distinction and highlighting ongoing variations in usage.^[62]

Exploration and First Ascents

The earliest recorded exploration of Scafell occurred in August 1802, when the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge undertook a traverse of the mountain during a nine-day walking tour of the Lake District, reaching the summit on August 5 and subsequently descending the challenging Broad Stand ridge, which may represent the first known summit via that route.^[63]^[64] This expedition, documented in letters to Sara Hutchinson, marked a pivotal moment in British mountaineering history, as Coleridge's vivid description of the rock scramble on Broad Stand is often cited as the first account of recreational rock climbing in England.^[65] During the 19th century, further surveys and mappings of Scafell were conducted by figures including William Wordsworth and associates such as the Hutchinsons, contributing to early topographical understanding of the fell's challenging terrain amid limited prior documentation.^[66] The 1820s saw the emergence of the first guided ascents from Wasdale, led by local shepherds and innkeepers who facilitated access for tourists, establishing foundational routes and popularizing the mountain beyond solitary literary ventures.^[66] Climbing milestones accelerated in the late 19th century, with Walter Parry Haskett-Smith's solo first ascent of Napes Needle on nearby Great Gable in 1886—a 70-foot freestanding rock pinnacle—heralding the birth of rock climbing as a distinct sport and inspiring rapid development of routes on Scafell's crags.^[67]^[25] In the 20th century, Scafell's adjacent fells gained symbolic significance post-World War I, when the Fell and Rock Climbing Club purchased and donated land encompassing Great Gable and Scafell Pike to the National Trust in 1920 as a war memorial to honor fallen members, with a plaque unveiled on Great Gable in 1924. This era also witnessed pioneering routes on Scafell itself, including the first ascent of Central Buttress in 1914 by Siegfried Herford, George S. Sansom, Charles F. Holland, Charles G. Crawford, and David G. Murray—a severe, exposed climb that advanced technical standards and was repeated in the 1920s, such as Mabel Barker's female ascent in 1925.^[68]^[69]

Notable Incidents

One of the most tragic events in British climbing history occurred on 21 September 1903, when four experienced climbers—R. W. Broadrick, A. E. W. Garrett, H. L. Jupp, and S. Ridsdale—perished after a fatal fall on Scafell Crags near Scafell Pinnacle.^[57] The group, roped together, was attempting a new route on the buttress when a slip by the leader caused the entire party to plummet approximately 200 feet onto the scree below Lord's Rake; three died immediately, while Ridsdale succumbed to his injuries during rescue efforts early the next morning.^[57] This incident marked the first major multiple fatality in British rock climbing, highlighting the perils of uncharted routes and inadequate protection on steep terrain.^[57] Rockfalls have posed ongoing hazards in the Scafell area, particularly along Lord's Rake. In December 2002, a massive pillar collapsed in the upper section of the rake, creating unstable conditions and loose debris that endangered subsequent climbers and walkers.^[70] Further instability culminated in August 2016, when a large perched boulder—precariously balanced since the 2002 event—fragmented and fell, prompting mountain rescue teams to issue warnings and temporarily advise against using the path due to fresh rockfall risks.^[15] A rockfall on 12 October 2019 injured two walkers in Lord's Rake, one with a head injury and the other with leg injuries, requiring assistance from the Coastguard helicopter and Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team.^[71] No major rockfall incidents have been reported in the area since 2019 as of November 2025. Other notable events include several hypothermia cases in the 1990s, often linked to sudden weather changes during ascents, as well as incidents during World War II training exercises where military aircraft crashed into the crags, such as two Hurricanes striking Horn Crag on 12 August 1941.^[72] The Scafell region continues to see frequent emergencies, with the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team averaging over 100 callouts annually, approximately 20-30 of which involve Scafell or Scafell Pike, primarily due to slips, exposure, and navigation errors.^[73] These incidents have influenced safety protocols, leading to enhanced signage in high-risk areas like Mickledore and recommendations to abseil the exposed steps of Broad Stand rather than scramble them without ropes, reducing subsequent accidents at this notorious black spot.^[46]

Ecology

Flora and Fauna

The flora of Scafell features alpine species well-suited to the exposed, nutrient-poor soils and severe weather of the high fells. Moss campion (Silene acaulis) grows in dense, cushion-like mats on rocky outcrops, enabling it to resist strong winds and desiccation.^[74] Starry saxifrage (Saxifraga stellaris) flourishes in moist cracks and flushes, its star-shaped white flowers emerging in summer.^[75] Lichens, such as various Rhizocarpon species, colonize boulders extensively, forming colorful crusts that stabilize the rock surface over time.^[76] In sheltered gullies and corries, dwarf willow (Salix herbacea), Britain's smallest native tree, forms prostrate mats no more than a few centimeters tall, adapted to cold and shade.^[76] The broader upland fells encompassing Scafell host including bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and common heather (Calluna vulgaris), which dominate dry heath communities. These low-growing perennials exhibit compact growth forms and deep root systems to endure high winds, frost, and poor soil fertility.^[76] Scafell's fauna reflects the challenging montane environment, with species that exploit diverse microhabitats from scree to tarns. Birds are prominent, including peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), which breed on steep cliffs and hunt using high-speed dives.^[77] Ravens (Corvus corax) are year-round residents, scavenging and nesting in rocky crags, while ring ouzels (Turdus torquatus)—summer visitors—favor boulder fields for breeding and foraging on invertebrates.^[77] Many of these birds undertake seasonal migrations to milder climates during winter. Mammals on Scafell include red deer (Cervus elaphus), which graze the open fell sides in herds and use the terrain for shelter. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) prowl the slopes, preying on smaller mammals and birds at night. Invertebrates thrive in localized wet areas, with rare butterflies such as the mountain ringlet (Erebia epiphron) occurring near tarns and flushes. Microhabitats play a key role: scree slopes support ferns like parsley fern (Cryptogramma crispa) in unstable gravel, while damp zones around Foxes Tarn host aquatic plants such as shoreweed (Littorella uniflora) and associated amphibians.^[76] These pockets of moisture contrast with the surrounding dry, acidic substrates derived from Borrowdale Volcanic rocks, fostering specialized communities.^[76]

Conservation Efforts

Scafell, as part of the Lake District National Park established in 1951, benefits from stringent protections under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which safeguards sites of special scientific interest and controls activities that could harm biodiversity across the region.^[78] The entire Lake District was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, recognizing its cultural and natural significance and mandating ongoing conservation to preserve its landscapes from development and degradation. Key initiatives focus on mitigating human impact through path maintenance and restoration. The Fix the Fells program, a multi-agency partnership launched in the early 2000s to address erosion on upland paths, has repaired sections on Scafell and surrounding fells, with over £2.5 million raised by the Lake District Foundation supporting local projects since the 1990s.^[79]^[80] In August 2025, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) organized a volunteer effort where 12 participants constructed a 20-meter-long earth barrier, or "megabund," at Hollowstones on Scafell Pike to divert water and prevent further path erosion, as part of their Mend Our Mountains campaign.^[81] Major challenges include severe footpath erosion driven by approximately 250,000 annual visitors to Scafell Pike, exacerbated by heavy rainfall and climate change, which widens scars on fragile slopes and threatens vegetation stability.^[82]^[83] Additionally, rockfalls, such as the 2016 collapse of the iconic Lord's Rake boulder on Scafell, have prompted enhanced monitoring and safety measures to manage loose scree and protect both the terrain and climbers.^[15] These efforts have yielded positive outcomes, including stabilized paths that support habitat recovery and biodiversity enhancement through reduced soil loss. Monitoring by Fix the Fells rangers tracks vegetation regrowth, while park guidelines enforce restrictions on off-path travel to minimize disturbance, ensuring long-term preservation of the fell's ecological integrity.^[79]^[84]

References

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Ten highest mountains · Scafell Pike (978 metres) · Scafell (964 metres) · Helvellyn (950 metres) · Skiddaw (931 metres) · Great End (910 metres) · Bowfell (902 ...
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[16]
Lake District leaning boulder plunges down Lord Rake ravine - BBC
Aug 2, 2016 · A huge rock pillar which has leaned across a ravine in the Lake District for almost a decade has collapsed. The boulder plunged down Lords Rake steep gully.Missing: 2002 | Show results with:2002
[17]
Broad Stand: As bad as its reputation?? - Google Groups
I think Broad Stand is a Diff, though grades have a habit of changing. It's more difficult than it used to be as the holds are polished. There have been ...
[18]
Broad Stand & Other Scrambles | Routes | Climb Scafell
The Broad Stand route to the summit of Scafell has been graded by the FRCC (Fell and Rock Climbing Club) to reflect the serious nature of the terrain.Missing: topography | Show results with:topography
[19]
Geology of the Keswick district. Sheet description 1:50 000 sheet 29
The Scafell Dacite (ScD) consists of garnetiferous dacite lava, which crops out in the extreme south of the district between Kirk Fell [NY 195 105] and Green ...
[20]
Northern England British Regional Geology - BGS Application Server
Surrounding Scafell is craggy, mountainous terrain formed by Ordovician volcanic rocks and associated igneous intrusions, mostly granitic ( Plate 1). To the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[21]
A stratigraphical framework for the upper Ordovician and Lower ...
The primary survey, from 1860 until 1890, produced the first complete geological maps of the Lake District. However, it was some time before Marr (1900) and ...
[22]
Borrowdale volcanics & Crinkle Crags - The Geological Society
The Borrowdale volcanic group are a series of andesitic lavas and pyroclastic rocks, erupted from an arc of volcanoes that had developed above an active ...
[23]
The violent story of Cumbria's ancient volcanoes - Deposits
Dec 4, 2022 · Increasingly violent volcanic eruptions continued for some five million years, eventually burying all of what is now the Lake District under ...
[24]
Caledonian Orogeny - The Geological Society
The subduction of the Iapetus Ocean formed volcanoes, whose ash deposits can still be seen in Anglesey and the Lake District. Major plutonic intrusions ...
[25]
T:UK - Sca Fell - TrigpointingUK
Scafell Pike is highest summit and trig point in England although the OS have named the triangulation station after the neighbouring second highest summit, Sca ...
[26]
Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, from Wasdale - Mark Horrell
Jul 18, 2018 · Then we zigzagged west across another small col to the flat grassy plateau of Ill Crag (935m). Its summit is the highest point on another pile ...
[27]
Scafell Pike and Sca Fell - Lakeland Walking Tales
Dec 18, 2016 · Scafell Pike's summit is notoriously disorientating in mist. As it comprises entirely of boulders, there are no paths, so you have to follow the ...
[28]
Lake District Forecast - MWIS
How windy? (On the summits) ... Southwestery 30-35mph or stronger before dawn, easing gradually to 20mph, soonest in south; a brief lull into dusk. Increasing ...
[29]
Facts and figures - Lake District Weatherline
Ten highest mountains · Scafell Pike at 978 metres (3210 feet) · Scafell at 964 metres (3162 feet) · Helvellyn at 950 metres (3114 feet) · Skiddaw at 931 metres( ...
[30]
Upper Eskdale : In the Land of Giants - summit and camp
Aug 7, 2015 · There's no denying that it is a wet area with an average of 200 wet days per year and around 3000mm annual rainfall. I usually try to time ...
[31]
Scafell Route One - Wainwright Routes
Pulpit Rock and Mickledore Buttress, the latter provides the best views of Scafell Crag. The summit of Great Gable appears over the top of Lingmell. Looking ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[32]
Climate - Lake District National Park
Some general figures for average weather in the Lake District are 200 wet days per year and 145 dry days per year and 20 snowy days per year. However the ...
[33]
Scafell from Wasdale Head Walk, Lake District - Walking Britain
Tough Lake District walk taking a difficult route to summit of Scafell from Wasdale via Lords Rake & West Wall Traverse. With maps and GPS file.
[34]
Scafell via Lord's Rake | All the gear but no idea
Jun 15, 2013 · Route length: 7.0 miles (11.2km) ; Time taken: 3:46 ; Average speed: 1.9mph ; Ascent: 1061m ; Descent: 1061m.
[35]
Scafell & Scafell Pike via Lord's Rake - MASARNEN RAMBLERS
The path known as Rake's Progress is the narrow, descending track from Mickledore and leads to the start of Lord's Rake. It is used to avoid climbing Broad ...Missing: topography | Show results with:topography
[36]
Lord's Rake Block on Scafell Collapses - UKClimbing
Aug 3, 2016 · The iconic block perched precariously at the top of Lord's Rake on Scafell in the Lake District for nearly a decade has collapsed.Missing: 2002 | Show results with:2002
[37]
Climbing Scafell Pike in Winter
Things can get particularly wet in the winter, and it's not a great way to begin your day. The loose rocky sections are also tricky when it's snowy and icy.<|control11|><|separator|>
[38]
Three Peaks Challenge - Scafell Pike guidelines
Wasdale is 'Britain's favourite view', the birthplace of British mountaineering, an iconic farmed landscape and a popular gateway to England's highest ...Missing: height facts
[39]
The Scafells - Striding Edge
May 21, 2007 · Start point: Brotherilkeld, car park at the bottom of Hardknott Pass (NY 214 011). Brotherilkeld Farm – Lingcove Bridge – Great Moss – Esk ...
[40]
Scafell via Esk Gorge and Cam Spout - England - AllTrails
Rating 4.3 (25) ... conditions with perfect visibility ... Scafell via Esk Gorge and Cam Spout in Lake District National Park. Scafell ...
[41]
Cam Spout - Sca Fell Cumbria, UK - Waterfalls on Waymarking.com
Cam Spout is situated on Cam Spout crag on the ... Eskdale,walking from Brothilked to upper Eskdale ... Watercourse: How Beck. Waterfall Height: 300
[42]
Scafell from the South | Where2Walk
Apr 4, 2019 · It really is a steep and unremitting climb up to Foxes Tarn and beyond from the Upper Esk. Better to explore the Upper Esk without climbing ...
[43]
Highest Mountain In England | Top 10 - Active-Traveller
Jun 24, 2019 · Mickledore, which means “great door”, is a mountain saddle 840 metres high. Not only does the col join Scafell Pike to Sca Fell, it is also ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[44]
Lake District Walk: Scafell Pike via Mickledore - WalkLakes
Continue, choosing the easiest looking ground directly ahead. Looking up over your right shoulder is Lord's Rake - a bit of a desperate gully climb to Scafell.
[45]
Scafell Pike via Hollow Stones route - Wasdale - National Trust
Climb England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike in the Lake District, on the most direct route from the Lake Head car park (by the campsite) via Hollow ...Scafell Pike Via Hollow... · Start Point · Prepare For The Climb
[46]
UKH Articles - Mini Guide: Scafell and Scafell Pike - UKHillwalking
Jan 6, 2016 · The peaks of the Scafells are amongst the roughest and most spectacular in England, and include Scafell Pike itself - highest in the nation.
[47]
Broad Stand – There is no easy route direct from Scafell to Scafell ...
This is a narrow and greasy path with difficult rock steps above a large drop. In winter it banks out to 45+ degrees with snow and ice. Several accidents have ...Missing: grade | Show results with:grade
[48]
Lake District Walk: Scafell Pike - The Easy Way - WalkLakes
Lake District Walk: Scafell Pike - The Easy Way, 9.4km (5.8 miles), difficulty rating 3/5. Near to Broughton in Furness, Cockermouth, Ulverston, Wasdale, ...
[49]
Scafell East Buttress
Dec 20, 2019 · Home to magnificent routes from VS to E9, all of them will linger in memories for many years. Crag information. Climbing Area: Lake District ...
[50]
Moss Ghyll Grooves (VS 4c) - UKC Logbook - UKClimbing
Scafell Crag ... Start below the long groove that is reached by scrambling up the right side of Moss Gill, or by climbing the first two pitches of Moss Gill.
[51]
[PDF] M Linnell
Scafell Crag lies near the summit of Scafell, 964m (3162ft), the sister peak to Scafell Pike which, at 978m (3208ft), is England's highest mountain. The ...
[52]
Botterills Slab - The Magnificent Scafell crag | Mountain Journeys
May 27, 2017 · Botterills Slab. Way back on the 3rd of June 1903 Fred Botterill made the 1st ascent of this beautifully cleaved slab.
[53]
My Top 10 Favourite Lakeland Crags #9: Scafell
Jun 3, 2020 · There are several different climbing areas on Scafell, but my favourites are East Buttress and Scafell Crag. East Buttress: Mickledore Grooves.
[54]
Return of the King E9 6c - YouTube
Sep 28, 2019 · The first repeat placing gear on lead of Dave Birkett's E9 on Scafell ... Falls and sends in Wales - Mission impossible E9 7a. Dave MacLeod ...
[55]
Climbing on Scafell - The Finest Mountaineering routes in England
Jun 11, 2023 · Climbing on Scafell crag is a dream, it is the finest crag in England with climbs to suit all abilities. It takes days to dry and the ...
[56]
Great Walks – Scafell via Lord's Rake - Martin Crookall
Mar 14, 2013 · Ahead, an increasingly stony, loose and steep route scrambles up to Mickledore, though this is effectively only a route once more to the Pike, ...Missing: topography | Show results with:topography<|control11|><|separator|>
[57]
Steep Ghyll, Moss Ghyll and Great End - Facewest.co.uk
Feb 12, 2009 · Moss Ghyll is an uber classic and one of the best Grade IV's I have ever done. The climbing is continually interesting and sustained; I would recommend this ...
[58]
The Disaster On Scafell Crags - The Yorkshire Ramblers' Club
The line of route lies not many yards to the right of Jones's Pinnacle route from Lord's Rake. The rocks have been examined from above since the accident by ...
[59]
Scafell – Mon 24th Mar 2025 - Wasdale Mountain Rescue
Apr 2, 2025 · Two climbers were ascending a crag on Sca Fell, when the lead climber took a large fall. He was seriously injured, unable to communicate and ended the fall ...
[60]
[PDF] English Place-Names from a Scandinavian Perspective - DiVA portal
Jul 9, 2021 · Gunnerside, derived from Old Norse name Gunnar and Old Norse sætr ... Scafell pike scand probably ON “skalli” (bald) or “skagi” (cape ...
[61]
Norse landscape words in Lakeland
... Norse from an Anglo -Saxon etymology. Tun, for example means field in both Old English and Old Norse ... Scafell, Whitbarrow Scar). Scale (scali) – a ...
[62]
Scafell Pike Facts: Celebrating 100 Years - The Herdy Company
Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, was gifted to the National Trust in 1919. Its name comes from Old Norse, and it is 3,209 ft tall.
[63]
Scafell - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
First recorded in 1578 as Skallfield; inherited from Middle English *Scalfel, from Old Norse skalli (“baldness”) +‎ fjall (“peak”).Missing: roots | Show results with:roots
[64]
How do you pronounce Scafell Pike? - Go4AWalk
The local spelling when Wasdale was first mapped by the OS (in 1867) was "Scawfell". The OS had been using Scafell as one corner of the Principle Triangles ...
[65]
Coleridge's Nine-day Tour of 1802 - Ronald Turnbull
200 years ago, on 5th August 1802, the poet Coleridge made the first recorded ascent of Scafell – and sat down on the summit to write the first ever Scafell ...
[66]
The birth of mountaineering, 1802 - Histories | Andrew Chapman
Apr 8, 2022 · The first ever description of a recreational rock climb was written by one of my literary heroes, Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834).
[67]
Coleridge and the first sport climb in history by Marina Morpurgo
May 7, 2021 · The first official ascent of Mount Scafell, which - with its only 978 meters - is still the second peak in Great Britain and the first in England.
[68]
A History of Climbing on Scafell - FRCC
Sep 20, 2016 · This book covers the full 200 year history of climbing on the crags of Scafell in both summer and winter conditions, in an extensive and ...
[69]
CLASSIC ROUTE: Napes Needle and Needle Ridge, Great Gable
Jul 29, 2009 · But for the benefit of those who aren't yet bored to stone by the fossilised old adage, the first ascent by Walter Parry Haskett-Smith in 1886 ...<|separator|>
[70]
Rock Climb Central Buttress., England - Mountain Project
Rating 3.8 (4) Routes in Scafell ; Type: Trad, 405 ft (123 m), 6 pitches ; GPS: 54.45237, -3.21668 ; FA: S.W.Herford, G.S.Sanson, C.F.Holland. April 20th 1914 ; Page Views: 2,487 ...
[71]
Central Buttress Scafell - Mabel Barker & C. D. Frankland. August ...
Apr 12, 2016 · Mabel Barker made the first female ascent of Central Buttress in 1925, the fourth overall, using hobnail boots and 80 feet of rope.Missing: 1920s | Show results with:1920s
[72]
Accident Blackspot Lords Rake - wasdale mountain rescue team
WASDALE Mountain Rescue team is warning of a massive rock fall on Scafell, making conditions very dangerous. Lord's rake approached from Mickledore Ridge or ...
[73]
Collapse of the Lord's Rake boulder in the English Lake District
Aug 3, 2016 · The perched block at the top of Lords Rake has fragmented and is now in bits close to where it was stuck. There are some loose boulders where it was standing.Missing: 2002 | Show results with:2002
[74]
Lake District - Military Aircraft Crash Sites
On the 12th August 1941 these two Hurricanes crashed into Horn Crag on the flank of Scafell in the English Lake District . Flying out of RAF Usworth as part ...
[75]
Wasdale Mountain Rescue – Serving Wasdale and Eskdale
### Summary of Annual Incident Statistics and Rescues on Scafell or Scafell Pike
[76]
[PDF] Lake-District-White-Guide.pdf - Keswick Mountain Rescue
Dec 3, 2010 · The saxifrages, alpine catchfly, moss campion and alpine cinquefoil cling to the cliffs, rooting in small cracks and pockets. Many of these ...
[77]
Mountain Plants in the UK – Undervalued and Under Threat? Article
May 18, 2021 · The two most common saxifrages are Mossy Saxifrage and Starry Saxifrage, both of which occur at relatively low altitudes in the mountains.
[78]
Lake District High Fells - Special Areas of Conservation
Pillar and Ennerdale Fells is bryophyte-rich with a number of oceanic species present including Anastrepta orcadensis, Herbertus aduncus, Bazzania tricrenata, ...
[79]
[PDF] The Lake District - GReeN CLIMBING GUIDe - Mountain Training
This area contains england's highest mountain – Scafell Pike (3206 ft), and with the associated east and Central buttresses, some of the finest high-mountain ...
[80]
Offical site for the Lake District National Park. Discover. Explore ...
The Lake District is England's largest National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover spectacular landscapes, picturesque villages, a warm welcome ...Plan your visit · Visiting · Getting to and around · Careers and job vacancies in...
[81]
Fix The Fells – Caring for the Lake District's mountain paths and ...
Fix the Fells tackles this erosion problem by repairing and maintaining 344 upland paths, covering 410 miles (661 km), helping to keep the Lake District a ...Frequently Asked Questions · Fix the Fells repairs three... · Volunteering with us
[82]
Lake District Foundation
The Lake District Foundation has generated more than £2.5million for local conservation projects through its innovative Visitor Giving schemes.
[83]
Largest in the Lakes! BMC volunteers create earth barrier to ...
Aug 21, 2025 · This August, 12 BMC volunteers spent two days on Scafell Pike, Lake District, making a 20m 'megabund' in the latest Get Stuck In event, ...
[84]
Scafell Pike – Three Peaks - Fix The Fells
This is a much steeper route to the summit and the pitched stone path soon turns to lose scree near the summit.Missing: 200m | Show results with:200m
[85]
Walkers in the Lake District urged to stick to paths
Jan 8, 2021 · Higher visitor numbers and social distancing causing fresh erosion at Lake District hot spots · Wet and winter weather likely to make pathway ...