Scafell to Scafell Pike

I planned this trip for my niece who has recently returned from her studies in New York..She has climbed some high peaks in Nepal,Chile and Iceland and also on the Appalachian trail but she has never been in the lakes before...
We parked up near Boot and immediately set off on the wrong track. After consulting the map we convinced ourselves that we were somewhere that we weren't and carried on regardless..Eventually Slightside came into view in the distance and  some bog trotting became necessary to get back on our intended course...
My wife had lent my Niece some gaiters and she was amazed how good they are as she had never found it necessary to wear them before...It was about now that I set off confidently across country and completely ignoring the warning signs I went up to my calf in cold wet boggy stuff...My Niece thought better of my route and skirted the bog with ease..
As we approached the summit of Slightside it became very misty which is what was forecast on MWIS and I had to rely on my GPS to get us to the top of Sca fell.

 My natural instinct in thick mist is to always turn round and retrace my route and anyone planning this trip should always keep this in mind...Fortunately my mate Dave is a good planner and he managed to find the way ahead.

There are lots of gulleys and rakes on Scafell  and if you choose the wrong one you are a goner so be warned and always play safe...

There is one  proper path up here but we wanted to go down Lords Rake and we had to stumble around in the mist to find it and even then we were not totally sure if we were in the right place...There is a large high overhang above Lords Rake and I was scared that some rocks may come crashing down on us but luckily nothing did.

Halfway down,the mist cleared a bit and I caught a glimpse of were we were and managed to slither  to a safe spot were I could keep an eye on the rest of the group and lend a hand if needed.. Unfortunately my dog lassie got a bit stuck as she couldn't see a way down and  started whining and looking like she needed help.. 
I managed to get below the ledge she was on and coax her down to where I could grab her

 By now the mist was clearing fast and the way ahead was obvious so we had a great time skiing down the scree dodging the enormous rocks that Dave was sending  down on us..


 

 At the bottom of Lords Rake you come to Broad stand and the way up to the trig point on Scafell pike  is cairned all the way..My two mates decided not to bother with Scafell Pike but my niece was extra keen to go so off we went,

 After all this we trudged our way back to the car and had a pint in the Woolpack

 My two mates having a well earned rest.

I think lassie was also feeling a bit tired.