Scafells
View of the Scafells from Wastwater
Highest point
Elevationmax. 978 m (3,209 ft) at Scafell Pike
Coordinates54°28′16″N 3°08′38″W / 54.471°N 3.144°W / 54.471; -3.144
Geography
Scafells is located in the Lake District
Scafells
Scafells
Cumbria, England
Scafells is located in England
Scafells
Scafells
Scafells (England)
Scafells is located in the United Kingdom
Scafells
Scafells
Scafells (the United Kingdom)
Parent rangeCumbrian Mountains
Geology
Age of rock-
Mountain typeCaldera
Last eruption-

The Scafells, or Scafell Massif,[1] are range of fells in the Cumbrian Mountains of England, made up of the remains of a caldera volcano. Fells in the range include Scafell, England's tallest mountain Scafell Pike, Broad Crag and Ill Crag. Great End, Lingmell and Slight Side are also usually included within the definition. These hills form part of the Southern Fells.

The Scafell range as seen looking west from Crinkle Crags. (Interactive labels.)

Geology

Geologically, the Scafells are the remnants of a volcano that erupted in the Ordovician period over 400 million years ago. This volcano as well as all other volcanoes of the Lake District are long since extinct.[2]

The volcano is an example of a piecemeal caldera whose collapse, in contrast with a wholesale piston-like subsidence, occurred in a piece-by-piece fashion along faults and whose measurements suggest formation from an eruption of a VEI-7 magnitude.[2] The Scafell Dacite, between Little Narrowcove and Aaron Crags, is a lava dome formed during the last stages of volcanic activity at Scafells.[2]

English Munros

An English Munro (or Furth) is a mountain summit that exceeds 3,000 feet (914.4 m) and has a prominence of more than 30 metres (98 feet). In England there are six peaks that meet that criteria and four of those are part of the Scafell Massif.[lower-alpha 1]

Peak Area Height
(m)		 Prominence
(m)		 OSI Grid
Reference		 Highest
Class
Scafell Pike‡    Scafell Massif 978 912 NY215072 P600
Sca Fell Scafell Massif 964 133 NY207065 Hewitt
Helvellyn‡ Helvellyn range 950 712 NY342151 P600
Ill Crag Scafell Massif 935 57 NY223073 Hewitt
Broad Crag Scafell Massif 934 52 NY218075 Hewitt
Skiddaw‡ Northern Fells 931 709 NY260290 P600

(‡) Have the prominence of over 150 metres (492 ft) to qualify as a "Real Munro".

Accident black spots

Scafell and Scafell Pike

Mountain rescue post, Mickledore

The summit of Scafell (964 m) is only 14 m lower than Scafell Pike (978 m); it can sometimes appear to be higher because of its precipitous topography.

The traverse between England's two highest summit's via Mickledore col requires considerable care and caution:

  1. The route via Broad Stand is best avoided because it is dangerous.
  2. There is a safer but longer route available via Foxes Tarn.

. . ."Broad Stand is an extremely dangerous area which has unfortunately seen a number of fatalities.[3]

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team

Mountain safety

Use of mobile phone for navigation

In England and Wales the mountain rescue association advise that a traditional paper map should always be carried in case of:

  1. Loss of signal
  2. Loss of power
  3. Technical malfunction

How to navigate with your phone
..."Carry a paper map as backup...While digital mapping is incredibly convenient, technology can occasionally fail...[4]

Mountain rescue in England and Wales – August 2023

References

  1. ↑ Gannon, Paul (April 2009). Rock Trails Lakeland - A Hillwalker's Guide to the Geology & Scenery. Pesda Press. ISBN 9781906095154. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Geology of England and Wales, pp118ff
  3. ↑
  4. ↑

Notes

  1. ↑ In Scotland there are 442 peaks that meet that criteria. See Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles > Murdos.
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