GC38QEE Mega2012: Picnic on the Pike (Event Cache) in North West England, United Kingdom created by The North West England 2012 Mega Event Team

This cache has been archived.

North West Mega: Thanks to everyone who turned up to this event to make it so special. We enjoyed it and we hope you did too.

If anyone still hasn’t logged their attendance, you can still do so, even after it has been archived

Look forward to seeing you all at the 6th UK Mega in the West Midlands in 2013

The North West Mega Team

GC38QEE ▼

A cache by The North West England 2012 Mega Event Team Message this owner

Hidden : Sunday, August 5, 2012

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Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

In August 2012 the UK Mega Event is coming to Cartmel in Cumbria. This walk up Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, is one of a varied series of events supporting this Mega Event. It is hosted by Andy (Walker-Clan) supported by other members of the North West Mega Event Team.

At 3209 ft (978 m) above sea level, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in the Lake District, and also the highest peak in England. In fact it is the highest ground for more than 90 miles and as such offers impressive views from the summit – on a clear day you can see as far as Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man.

The rough summit plateau is fringed by crags on all sides and is covered with shattered rock debris; as Alfred Wainwright puts it, Scafell Pike is “every inch a mountain. Roughness and ruggedness are the necessary attributes, and the Pike has these in greater measure than any other high ground in the country”.

The entire area was donated to the National Trust by Charles Wyndham, 3rd Baron Leconfield, following the First World War in memory of the men of the Lake District "who fell for God and King, for freedom, peace and right in the Great War".

When & Where:

Sunday 5th August 2012

Meet at the car park on the southern edge of Wasdale Head (see additional waypoints below) at 9:45am ready to step off no later than 10:00am for the ascent via Lingmell ridge. We are aiming for lunch at the summit of Scafell Pike at 1:30pm and the group should be back at the car park by around 4pm.

Details:

This is a roughly circular walk from Wasdale Head, up Lingmell ridge, on to Scafell Pike summit for lunch and then back via the Brown Tongue route. It is about a 5½ miles walk with approximately 3400ft of ascent. The difficulty of this walk should not be underestimated – parts of the route are very steep and others are very rough. Parts of the route are surrounded by very high cliffs and anyone straying from the path risks injury or even death. This is not ideal dog walking terrain, but dogs are welcome as long as they are up to the walk.

It must be stressed that everyone partaking in the walk is responsible for their own safety (and that of any children under 18 accompanying them). Due to the steep and rough terrain this walk is not suitable for young children. It is NOT a guided walk, rather a group walking together, where various members know the route being taken. Although the route is following established roads, tracks & paths, some stretches are steep, whilst others are rough under foot.

The “British Mountaineering Council - Participation Statement” best summarises the individual risks and responsibilities applicable to all participants in this event:

“Climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.”

Furthermore, everyone MUST:
i: Have the appropriate skills and abilities to complete the walk
ii: Have their own navigation equipment – map and compass (and know how to use them) as well as GPSr
iii: Recognise that there is no Group Leader, It is just a group of like minded people walking together, and nothing more.

Route profile

Route profile
The ascent via the west shoulder of Lingmell has several benefits over the Brown Tongue route; firstly the views that we will have (weather permitting) on the way up are much better via this route, secondly we will be able to take in another Wainwright peak – that of Lingmell itself, and thirdly most of the climbing is out of the way early in the walk whilst we still have fresh legs.

The drawback of taking this route is that it is extremely steep in places with gradients up to 50% on the steepest parts of the climb. We will however take the climb steadily – the first mile of the walk which covers the steepest section will most likely take almost an hour and a half. At 1800 feet the ascent levels out somewhat and we will be left with a relatively gentle climb to the summit of Lingmell (2649ft; 807m).

After a short rest on Lingmell we will continue for the short walk via Lingmell Col (2410ft; 734m) to Scafell Pike summit.

“This is it: the Mecca of all weary pilgrims in Lakeland; the place of many ceremonies and celebrations, of bonfires and birthday parties; the ultimate; the supreme; the one objective above all others; the highest ground in England; the top of Scafell Pike.” – A. Wainwright

We will stop on the summit for a picnic (where the event logbook will be available for signing) before returning to the car park via the Brown Tongue route. The views on this valley route will be bounded by the steep valley sides, but we should have a pleasant view of Wast Water ahead of us as we make our descent.

More information on the routes that we will be taking and on Lingmell and Scafell Pike can be found in Alfred Wainwright's “Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells: Book Four – The Southern Fells” which has a chapter on each of the two peaks as well as their neighbours.

Scafell Pike from Wast Water

Our ascent via Lingmell ridge can be seen highlighted by sunlight on the left of this photo, with Scafell Pike towards the centre, and our return route down the Brown Tongue valley path. Despite looking taller from this and other angles, Sca Fell on the right is actually 63ft lower than the Pike.
The weather can change quickly on the Lake District fells and everyone should be properly prepared for a mountain walk by wearing and bringing:
- Waterproof walking boots
- Waterproof clothing
- Warm clothing
- Drinks and food (lunch for the summit as well as fluids and snacks for the walk)
- A map and compass (and know how to use them!)
- A camera (for the excellent views)
- Basic survival and First Aid equipment
- A torch (we are not planning to be on the mountain after dark, but participants should be prepared for the eventuality)

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team's website also offers good advice and details some of the incidents that they have attended recently including some on Scafell Pike. We don't want to be having to call them out, so before attending please ensure that you are confident that you can safely complete the walk and that you have the necessary clothing and equipment to do so.

Before arriving to start the walk, all participants should check the weather forecast by visiting the Lake District Weatherline website or by calling 0844 846 2444 and make sure that they are prepared for all possible weather conditions. Please note that if the weather is particularly bad, we reserve the right to change the walk, or abandon it all together on the grounds of safety.

If you plan to come on this walk, please log a “will attend” indicating the numbers of adults/children in your group (please bear in mind that it is not suitable for young children).

Please remember to keep visiting the North West Mega website for the latest information on the UK’s 5th Annual Mega Event in 2012.