Scafell Pike for the 1st time

Q. Hi, I really want to walk Scafell Pike.

I am new to mountain/fell walks. In fact it would be my first! I can walk all day over hills, slopes etc. Would I be fit enough?

I am planning to spend the next couple of months walking steeper hills in my area. I would like to know if this would be enough prep?

Many thanks . . . .

Kathrine Wilson, Staple

A. Hi Kathrine,

Scafell Pike was my first Lakeland Fell, I did it last week with my 15yr old daughter.

Most of our walking has been over coastal paths in South and West Wales but we prepared ourselves by walking mountains in the Brecon Beacons for a few months beforehand.

We walked up the Brown Tongue Route from the NT Car Park at Wasdale Head - Walk c111 Scafell Pike from Wasdale on a warm sunny day and it took us 5hrs 40mins inc 2 stops for a snack and numerous pauses for 'photos!

Take plenty of water and some food.

Good luck

David Bounds, Llantwit Major

A. Fitness shouldn't be a problem if you're prepared to put 4 or 5 hours in - but - depending on route up/down make sure you have map and compass basics, as cloud can make the top plateau look all the same.

Clive Shelley, Lancaster

A. Hi, yeah given that you have some experience in hill walking it is not totally out of your reach. True it maybe somewhat ambitious but to be on the safe side why not try joining a local walking club where you'll be walking with experienced folk. They will be able to offer you advice and this is also a good way of assessing your fitness.

When you plan to do your 1st big walk, take all the usual safety precaution and don't go alone, go with an experienced walker. This way if you get into any troubles you'll have the right course of action already decided.

Hope this helps

Bill Storey, Melsonby North Yorkshire

A. Walk c215 Scafell Pike from Seathwaite is a really nice route and it will whet your appetite for Great Gable.

There is nothing technical and anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do this quite easily. Try not to do it on a bad day as you want to take advantage of spectacular views from the summit. Make sure you set off early, allow plenty of daylight hours, have plenty of water & calories with you and even on a good day note that it can be nippy from Esk Hause onwards. It will be busy so don't forget there are lots of other great fells to climb in the Lakes. Enjoy, once you have climbed a Lakeland Fell you will be hooked for life.

Dave Green, Manchester

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