Climbing Scafell Pike in Winter
As the tallest mountain in England, Scafell Pike attracts visitors from far and wide throughout the year. However, summitting Scafell when it’s snowy, icy and cold is an entirely different proposition from doing so in the summer. In this article, we provide guidance and advice on walking the mountain in winter and provide insight into what you can expect and what you need to look out for.
Safety always comes first
Barely a winter goes by without the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team being called out to help a group of walkers who have attempted a winter ascent without the proper preparation or equipment. Whether it’s Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis or Yr Wyddfa, summiting mountains of this size in winter conditions is no joke – you should only attempt it if you have the necessary skills, experience and equipment to do so safely.
With this in mind, we suggest you avoid walking Scafell Pike for the first time in winter conditions unless you are a highly experienced mountain walker. Save your first ascent for the summer and return next winter when you know what to expect. If you’re keen to learn the skills required to enjoy independent winter mountain walks, we recommend checking out the Winter Mountain Courses offered by our sister company RAW Adventures. It will teach you everything you need to know to summit UK peaks in winter conditions in a safe and supportive environment.
Choosing the right route
Experienced Scafell Pike walkers will know there are more than a few routes to choose between. If you want a more detailed account of the main routes, check out our Quick Guide to Scafell Pike Routes article for further information. However, here’s a quick overview.
Wasdale Head Route
- Start point: Wasdale Head car park
- Distance: 6 miles (10km) round trip
The shortest and most direct route to the summit. Considered one of the “easier” routes, it still poses significant challenges in winter conditions. The scree section towards the top of the mountain is particularly dangerous, especially when icy.
Corridor Route (Seathwaite)
- Start point: Seathwaite car park
- Distance: 10 miles (16km) round trip
More physically challenging than the Wasdale Route, the Corridor Route in winter is tough, technical and features significant exposure. It requires excellent winter skills, knowledge of the route and the ability to safely traverse rough terrain.
Eskdale Route
- Start point: Brotherilkeld Farm
- Distance: 11 miles (17.5km) round trip
Many walkers prefer to avoid the Eskdale Route in the winter due to the boggy conditions at the start. 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.
Langdale Route
- Start point: Great Langdale
- Distance: 12 miles (19km) round trip
Langdale is a long day out. The shorter daylight hours in winter mean only the fittest and most experienced walkers attempt the route in winter. There is some exposure on this route and the ice on rocky sections is a significant concern once again.
While all four routes are passable in winter, knowing which is the best option for the given conditions or your ability level requires experience. If you’re unsure which route to select, we suggest walking with an accredited guide before tackling the mountain on your own.
Packing the right equipment
The next big concern is your clothing and equipment. This can make all the difference to your safety, so knowing what to pack is crucial. Our suggested winter kit list includes:
Clothes
- • Thermal base layer (non-cotton material)
- • Walking trousers
- • Warm fleece layer
- • Additional fleece or extra insulating layer
- • Waterproof jacket and trousers
- • Warm hat and gloves
- • Spare pair of gloves
- • Walking boots – with a B2/B3 rating
Equipment
- • Rucksack – around 30L
- • Ice axe
- • Crampons
- • Lunch and snacks
- • One-litre bottle and water
- • Headtorch
- • Goggles
- • Whistle
- • Walking poles
- • Sunglasses & sun cream
- • Mobile phone
- • Waterproof bag for valuables
While having access to this equipment is one thing, knowing when and how to use it is another. For instance, on Scafell Pike, understanding when to put on and take off your crampons will impact your safety. Similarly, understanding when the terrain calls for microspikes or crampons is extremely valuable.
Understanding the impact of weather
In the Lake District, winter brings a wide range of weather and diverse conditions on the ground. At certain times during the season, it can feel like a spring or autumn day. At others, snow blankets the mountain and surrounding landscape and whiteouts are a distinct possibility. Consequently, you must pay careful attention to the weather and make sure you’re well-informed of conditions further up the mountain before setting off. We recommend using MWIS, Windy and the Met Office Mountain Forecasts for a comprehensive account of the expected weather.
Even after checking the forecast, you must respect just how changeable conditions can be. It’s not uncommon for the weather to completely flip as you make your way up the mountain. These sudden changes are even more likely in winter. A drastic shift in visibility or a large temperature drop can be dangerous if you’re unprepared for it.
Navigation skills are critical
Winter conditions change the landscape dramatically. A trail you know well in snow-free summer conditions can quickly change beyond all recognition and become hard to find and follow. As a result, your navigation skills become even more critical on winter walks. Knowing how to use a map and compass to safely extract yourself from a tricky situation or avoid dangerous terrain may be the difference between making it to the finish or calling out Mountain Rescue.
While GPS devices are helpful, we recommend all winter walkers know how to read and navigate by a good, old-fashioned paper map, too. Things can go wrong with your GPS device – it can run out of battery or you could drop it and put it out of action – so it’s always worth ensuring your map skills are up to scratch and you’ve researched potential hazards and danger spots before setting out. A waterproof map case secured to your backpack will mean you can use it in all conditions and it’s never misplaced.
Emergency procedures
If things go wrong, you need to know what to do in an emergency.
1. Call for help
Contact Mountain Rescue by calling 999 or 112 and asking for ‘Police’ and then ‘Mountain Rescue’. The more details you can provide about your location, the better.
2. Alert others
If you cannot call Mountain Rescue, try to alert others to your situation. Six short blasts of the whistle or torch flashes typically signal distress.
3. Stay warm
Staying warm while waiting for help is absolutely essential. Put on more layers and set up your emergency shelter and do whatever’s necessary to keep your body temperature up. Your condition will quickly deteriorate if you get too cold and hypothermia and even frostbite are serious concerns.
Practical tips for Scafell Pike in winter
1. Start early
During the winter, fewer daylight hours means you need to set off early and give yourself plenty of walking time. Whatever happens, you don’t want to get stuck out on the mountain in complete darkness, with temperatures plummeting. Leave early, and you’re much more likely to return on time. We always recommend agreeing on a turnaround time, too. If you haven’t reached the summit by your agreed time, turn around, head home and come back another day.
2. Pace yourself
Walking in the cold is hard work, particularly if you’re breaking fresh snow. Icy terrain can also slow you down and require a more patient approach. The main lesson here is that you must plan your walk with winter pacing in mind and account for slower walking speeds. Similarly, make sure you fuel appropriately. The cold temperatures will mean you need to snack more regularly to maintain energy levels.
3. Talk to locals
If you have any questions about climbing Scafell in winter or the conditions on the mountain, talk to locals who understand the mountain and the surrounding area. They can provide some insight into how conditions have been in recent days and weeks, how people are finding the terrain and whether there are any new hazards to watch out for.
4. Stay within your limits
Finally, winter is not the time to be pushing your limits and trying things you’ve never done before. Respect the mountain and conditions and stay within your own abilities.
Guided walks with Climb Scafell Pike
If you’re interested in summiting Scafell Pike in winter conditions and want to do so under the guidance of an accredited Mountain Leader, get in touch with the Climb Scafell Pike team. Alternatively, our guided open group walks run from April to October and are a fantastic way of gaining experience on the mountain ahead of the next winter season. Finally, those looking to learn or practice winter mountain skills should check out the RAW Adventures Winter Mountain Courses.