Scafell Pike, in the Lake district is the highest mountain in England, measuring 978M. Climbing the mountain is challenging, possibly perilous (if you are not well prepared!) but also breathtakingly beautiful.
Working during the week, I needed some respite, but also a goal I could achieve, I believed that visiting the Lake district and traversing the mountain would bring me some clarity of mind.
So, with a compass and map in hand me and some friends set off for the Lake district.
We decided to traverse England’s highest mountain on the first day. I was unsure if it would be difficult or easy, whether there would be a clear path, or it would involve scrambling over precipices. However, we would soon find out!
At the start the route was simple and there was a clear path up there. However, further along we came across a large fast flowing stream which could only be crossed via perilous slippery rocks. Keep in mind the river was also heading down a mountain, so if you slipped you would fall further down rather than merely falling flat into the stream.
In preparation for this ordeal ahead we rested on some rocks, indulged in some hard-boiled eggs, drunk coffee and watched in envy as an agile sheep, skipped across with no problems at all.
Then we got down to it. It took great concentration, balance, and courage. At any time, I thought I might lose my foothold and be lost to the rapids. It was a relief when we all ended up safely on the other side.
Out of danger, the views were fantastic, the scenery was breath-taking. The weather was cool, probably the perfect temperature for climbing the mountain.
So far, apart from the river, the route had felt fairly safe. This would soon change as we came to a place that was full of loose rocks and no clear path. We traversed it but I felt terrified that the shingle would give way under foot, and I would roll down the mountain. I did not dare to look back behind me as I would feel even more frightened! I slowly and carefully crawled my way up there, a creature out of its natural environment.
Once we were off the loose shingle, we sat down and had some lunch, aware that the top would probably be too cold and harsh to eat a picnic. After eating lunch, we were on the march again but felt a little disorientated, we knew we were close to the mountain, but we could not see it as a thick mist was overlaying it. Fortunately, I had bought a compass and we were able to use that to work out what direction we needed to travel in.
A short walk later we were surrounded by thick mist, but we could still make out the piles of rocks used to guide walkers. The mist was cold and rainy and it was at this point I started to feel really cold.
We eventually got to the top, there was no view, but many other walkers were up there, some eating sandwiches. I was feeling very cold and after a quick photo we decided we would make our way back down. Vicky my sister said it was one way, but it was difficult to see because of the mist. We saw some people in the background and followed them, I was worried that we were heading in the wrong direction, I felt like we should be following the rocks and a proper path, and I felt like we might walk off the cliff. It was at this point that I started to feel sick and dizzy and ended up collapsing, my sister shoved some cold coffee into my mouth which was foul. I don’t know why I had such a bad reaction at this point but might put it down to being very cold and low in blood sugar, though I was not hungry, quite the opposite as I felt nauseous, perhaps living by the sea makes my body go into shock in high climbs! For a brief time, I thought the mountain rescue was going to have to come and get me!
I sat down for a bit and then gradually started to feel better. I managed to drag myself back up and then we followed the rocks and went down the correct path. Once we came out of the fog, I eventually started to warm up a bit and we made our way back down the mountain, via an easier and more straight forward route then the way up. We were lucky as just as we got to the end of the mountain it started to pour with rain. We got back to our accommodation and had a wonderful cup of tea. I can now say I have been up Scafell Pike and I’m proud of myself for making the journey.
The day had been a grand adventure and the rest of the holiday was spent going to shorter walks, visiting pubs/restaurant’s and we even went and swam in a tarn!
All in all, a great experience and now I can tick something off my bucket list!