How can I avoid a wasted journey?

Q. Hi

I made an unsuccessful attempt to climb Scafell Pike yesterday from Wasdale Head. Due to the heavy rain the footpath to cross the stream at Lingmell Gill was unpassable and hence I had to abandon the climb.

I am planning to return this coming weekend to try again but am concerned that if faced with the same situation I may have another wasted journey.

I was wondering what alternative routes I could use if I face the same conditions next week?

Louise Pritchard, Chorley

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A. If lingmell gill is impassable (pretty much any time it has been raining heavily) then you can add another 2 miles and go via Scafell and hard rigg (don't be tempted to cut too soon after the farm as that gets into "climbers territory" near the crags. Scafell pike might be out of your reach though, if lingmell gill is in spate then the descent to foxes tarn will be equally treacherous, but is better than wasting a journey entirely.

John Gibbons, Carlisle

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A. The best thing to do is download a number of different routes that all start in the same location. So if you are unable to complete one route due to adverse weather conditions (or whatever) then you always have a number of alternatives and do not end up with a wasted journey and/or overnight accommodation costs.

These routes

• c111 Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c172 Scafell Pike via The Corridor Route from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c197 Lingmell and Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c233 Sca Fell and Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c271 The Scafell Massif from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c453 The Scafell Mountains from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

All climb Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head and

• c197 Lingmell and Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c233 Sca Fell and Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c271 The Scafell Massif from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c453 The Scafell Mountains from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

Avoid crossing Lingmell Beck altogether by going straight up Lingmell.

For all the current walk routes available that all start in Wasdale Head - see

• c101 Pillar and Little Scoat Fell from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c111 Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c116 Illgill Head and Whin Rigg from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c141 Great Gable and Pillar from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c172 Scafell Pike via The Corridor Route from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c197 Lingmell and Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c233 Sca Fell and Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c240 Kirk Fell, Pillar and Little Scoat Fell from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c271 The Scafell Massif from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c343 Pillar and Red Pike from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c386 Yewbarrow from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c423 The Wast Water Round from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

• c453 The Scafell Mountains from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

To find walks that start in other locations - put that place name into our Search page.

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

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