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BB2532
: Stan's Epic 80
Wednesday
20th August 2025
As Stan stood on the top of
Scafell Pike, the assembled crowd looked on in awe to learn that not only was that
distinguished figure an octogenarian, he had climbed the hill not by the tourist
path but using the much more adventurous (Bryan would say “interesting”) Taylor
Force followed by the Corridor Route.
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A
quite remarkable achievement; one which, in years to come, the onlookers
could tell their grandchildren of having witnessed.
Having
kept a close watch on
the developing weather forecasts, Stan decided last night that today was going
to be the day.
After a very early start
for the long drive, Stephen (who had wisely opted instead for the circum-perambulation
of Buttermere) checked everyone in at Seathwaite Farm then blew the whistle
for Stan to lead off.
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The ascent started
easily enough along the west side of the beck but then it turned east for
Taylor Force. I had been up
this route once
before and vowed never again but given Stan’s insistence that this was by far
the finest way to climb Scafell Pike, quoting Wainwright in support, what
option did we have?
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The path changed
into a series of minor climbs and rocky ledges perched high above Styhead Gill. I won’t say that it was difficult, only that
it was, in parts, awkward and the Gill was a long drop to our
left. Fortunately, with varying degrees
of encouragement being needed, we all safely reached Sty Head Tarn where the
mass of the Scafell Pike range loomed over us.
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It was here that the group
divided. The
support team, Mike B, Terry, John and Ian, headed
off in the direction of Sprinkling Tarn, the account of their subsequent
adventure to be related in the next edition of these reports.
Stan led his summit party
onwards up The Corridor Route. This didn’t
hold the same tremors for me. I knew
that was one difficult rock face to negotiate.
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On
my first time on the Corridor, in the opposite direction, I had my West
Highland terrier, Biggles, with me and had to put him in my rucksack to climb
the rocks.
The second visit required a
descent of the rocks. Those with climber
aspirations went down facing the rock whilst wimps like me went down on their
bums.
It was no different this time as proven
by the hole in my trousers.
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At the Lingmell Col we met the
hordes coming up from Wasdale. Some
youths were impressively bounding up the hill.
Other folk were quite depressed that they still had another 700 feet to
climb and some sat down in protest. We
pressed on, though I confess that our pace had by now slowed somewhat.
The
views were terrific. Great Gable was
prominent across the valley and there were
glimpses of Dewent Water and Skiddaw in
the distance.
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The summit rose up in front of
us, with quite a crowd stood on the stone platform waiting for a glimpse of
their hero. He did not disappoint them.
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The
summit party basked in his glory.
After a
feast of Stan’s homemade flapjack washed down with celebratory champagne, it was time to return to the car as we were
still on a mission.
As
we headed north
east, we could see the Duddon estuary and, with good imagination, the Isle of
Man.
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Most of us by-pased Broad Crag although Mick needed it for his Nuttalls. TV
Mike accompanied him on that diversion
whilst Robert, Bryan, Brian and I accompanied Stan on the descent toward Esk
Hause.
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To
the south east were Bowfell and the Crinkles......
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.....
and a bit further along, the Langdales.
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Mick
and Mike caught us up before we turned
north. Sprinkling Tarn could be seen in the distance .....
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.....
but
our route lay alongside what starts as Ruddy Gill then changes its name to Grains Gill.
After crossing Stockley Beck by the old
bridge that has been beautifully restored, we soon reached the cars.
The Brewery in Kendal was
calling where Stan had generously laid on pizzas and burgers plus as much ale as
you could manage. No wonder Tony made a
guest appearance! It was a fine way to celebrate an octogenarian birthday
adventure.
Don, Wednesday 20th August
2025
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