|
Cam Spout and Scafell, Upper Eskdale, Lake District
|
|
Grade: 1/3
|
|
A choice of routes from Upper Eskdale up Cam Spout and Scafell, taking in spectacular views of Great Moss, Bowfell and the Isle of Man.
|
|
Equipment: ropes and protection required on Grade 3 routes.
|
|
Online Map link
|
|
Views: 4
Technicality: 1 - 3
Exposure: 1 - 3
|
|
GIBBER FACTOR* 1 - 3
*out of
five.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overview With the September OM meet in mind we bring you a choice of routes from Upper Eskdale up Cam Spout, with continuations up Scafell on either the South East or South West flank. Either route, on a good day, gives spectacular views over the expanse of Great Moss and across to Bowfell. Scafell's summit gives extensive panoramas over the Lake District's most rugged ranges to the east, with views to the coast and the Isle of Man looking West.
Approach The approach to Cam Spout is enough to be worthy of a walk in its own right. Whether taking the traditional walking route up Eskdale or approaching via the Grade 2 Esk Gorge scramble the route emerges at the wide open expanse of Great Moss, sandwiched between The Scafell Range on the left and Bowfell on the right. This is one of the finest wild camp sites in England with spectacular scenery in all directions. The path from the starting point at the road hugs the right bank of the River Esk as far as Esk Gorge, where you have the option of taking on a warm up scramble if contemplating the grade 3 route ahead, or continuing along the wide, well defined track up to Scar lathing and onto Great Moss. Cam Spout is the obvious waterfall on the left side of Great Moss between Slight Side and Scafell.
Route
Cam Spout Indirect - Grade 1
The route here is obvious throughout, starting from the base of the crag where the stream falls onto Great Moss. Take the path up the right side of the waterfall, keeping to the left where the path occassionally splits. At the top of the main fall a large platform provides fine views back down over Eskdale. Above the main fall the scrambling turns into little more than walking with occasional hand use for balance.
Great Moss from Cam Spout
Cam Spout Direct - Grade 3
Start at the first pool, where a traverse gives an awkward approach to the right wall of the fall. Continue up the right wall past the second pool, slowly moving right to emerge onto the main path used in the grade one scramble. Where the stream tumbles down a series of small cascades rejoin the stream bed and follow a line of steps on the far left of the cascades. Where the wall suddenly steepens ahead go right to cross the stream and use a sloping shelf to descend slightly and gain access again to the right wall. Follow the right wall again until the stream bed becomes accessible again then take an obvious trench right of the stream. Now continue up the narrowing gorge to easier ground and a finish below Scafell's South West side. An easier continuation up the rocks here, taking a choice of line to suit your skills, brings you to the summit ridge of Scafell.
Cam Spout
Scafell South East - Grade 3
From the open ground above the previous scramble a steep crag and a line of slabs provides grade three scrambling to the summit of Scafell. Start left of the overhang at the base of the slabs where a wide grassy ledge leads right to a nicely angled initial slab. At the terrace above things get steeper and more exposed with a groove to the left of the large overhang which leads directly up then moves left and around the corner. Follow an exposed ledge across steeper slabs to another ledge identifiable by the juniper. Continue left, then right before the edge of the rock, to gain the buttress. From here pick a line to where two gullies meet then move left, up, then left again to reach the scree slope. Cross the scree and move right to the base of the final buttress. On the right wall a ledge leads left slanting across and above the steepest part of the buttress to a final pull onto rocks leading to easier ground and a walk along the summit ridge.
Cam Spout and Scafell
Descent From scafell Summit there are multiple choices for the descent, including a descent via Foxes Tarn and the path down alongside Cam Spout, or turn South to follow the ridge over Slight Side and back down into Eskdale. For those wishing to complete a memorable day in style there's always the option of Broad Stand onto Scafell pike and a descent via either Little Narrowcove or from Esk Hause.
Caution Scrambling is potentially dangerous and, particularly
at the higher grades, requires technical skills and equipment to
minimise the risk. We suggest that you take professional instruction
or climb with an experienced partner.
