Resuming our descent, silence fell. It wasn’t fun anymore. Just a bit serious. The path disappeared into thick cloud, which was rising weirdly from below, belting out thick rain. Stony former paths ran with mini- rivers. The slightly too fat socks made for slightly too small shoes, and were causing nasty blisters. And the need for regular sit downs on the wet path.
All the while, the river was rising below, possibly preventing our return passage. What if, by the time we made it back down the mountain, it was too deep for the children to cross? What if there was no phone signal for the emergency services?
Let’s never do this again, blister boy implored as I marched him on raw wet toes, refusing to let him de-shoe or rest for more than 5 seconds at a time.
We both slid over heavily several times on to the stony ground, and took to supporting each other, linking arms whilst wading down the mountain.
Brilliant, well done. Bin the t-shirt 😂 think he has earned the right to wear it. You all need one.
Thanks. It’s got a hole in it now anyway so no need to bother with Ireland or Scotland.
Well, that was an experience, I knew there was a good reason I never hiked up mountains. I bet you could have cut the air with a knife.
On the plus side the views were beautiful prior to the adverse weather descending.
Well done to all of you. #farawayfiles
It’ll be a while before I’m ready to do another one.
We have foggy pictures like that from our youth hostel/Snowdon assent, we need to add this to our album! #FarawayFikes
It’s the lucky climber that gets the blue skies.
Brave and hearty kids! And love the honesty. That is the loveliest youth hostel I’ve ever seen and cheers to lake time (and wine) as a reward for your not so perfect hike. Thank you so much for joining in with the #FarawayFiles travel blog community – we’re happy to have you part of the community! Cheers from Copenhagen.
Thanks. I think we needed that lake. The YHA was amazing – although check out Ilam Hall too for a Grade 1 castle-type stay.
These pictures are amazing! I’ve done a couple of hikes but this makes me want to do more.
Holly x
Oh well done to you all. My best friend has done this climb so many times and I’ve done a number of walks but the idea of no clear pathway coming down would scare me to death without having to think about my son as well. Sods law about the lack of views at the top! #countrykids
Yes, children and fog is a bad combination. One day I’ll get a mountain with a view!
Really enjoyed this romping read, I love your writing style. I did Scaffell Pike in my teens, in that same rolling, rainy mist though ours was like it all day so we didn’t get the stomach lurching nerves that you guys experienced, though I’ve had that elsewhere. Staggered that you hit the lake afterwards too! And the hotel looks fab #CountryKids
I didn’t know that Scafell and Scafell Pike were not the same peak – glad you found that out before you climbed it! What a beautiful building Wasdale YHA is. Those last 2 miles of the drive sound quite hair-raising – I don’t think I’d fancy that journey! Wastwater Lake looks so beautiful and that pretty youth hostel makes the traumatic drive seem worth it. The views on the walk up (when looking backwards!) are stunning and I’m glad that you managed to cross the river without incident on the way up although the journey back sounds very stressful especially nearly heading for a sheer cliff-face. It’s a shame that it was so cloudy at the summit, but well done for managing to make it there. I’m glad that the return of the sunshine and a bit of fun at the lake helped to restore tempers at the end though and perhaps binning the T-shirt is the best plan! Thank you for sharing your adventure with #CountryKids
Yes, I would have been do disappointed to find we’d climbed the wrong one! It was pretty in a raw nature ki d of way and I can look back at it more fondly now than I did at the time!
Haaaa I love this!! Sounds like it was still worth doing even with the frogmarching back down…thank goodness for the lake-chilled wine!
Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be
ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Yes, follow me on Twitter at Holidaysfromhe1. See you there!
Wow. That is stunning! #CulturedKids
Wow – well done for persevering. You do know that most people get the t-shirt AFTER they’ve been to the place, right? I’d love to do more epic hiking with our kids. Lake District is on the list, but perhaps not the highest mountain to start with. I love the look of that family-friendly hostel though. #culturedkids
The hostel is gorgeous! So are so right about the t-shirt – takes the pressure off not to buy it first :).
What an amazing experience! I’ve always wanted to climb scafell pike.
Your posts are just brilliant – I love the epic line ‘no one spoke on in the car on the way home’ and also your sage advice in layering thin as you’ll be carrying it … brilliant. and strangely I’d like to do this walk myself – nearly walking off cliff edges and crossing wild rivers and all. #culturedkids
Thank you! It is good to be able to laugh at it all now from the distance of time. Go for it and catch the sun if you can. I bet the views are great.
This looks so misty and magical!
Well done – that is an impressive hike for kids. I think mine would love the challenge too. I love the look of the Youth Hostel – certainly a bit grander than most?!
#TotsTravel
Wow! This hike looks gorgeous! You included so many important details in the article which will make for a perfect experience! Thanks for taking the time to share the details 🙂
We climbed (walked up) Snowden with the teens when they were under 10 and stayed in a youth hostel, still one of 5he things they talk about
Ah, we were following in your footsteps! I think ours have mixed feelings about it. It was hard work but they did get a sense of achievement. Definitely needed another family present to keep everyone on their best behaviour.
Scafell Pike is still on my list. Very useful info in this article. We are hoping to visit the Lakes in 2021. Amazing views.
Thank you! Really hope you make it in 2021. And get views form the top as well as the way up!
I’m not too good at hiking and neither are my kids! Great achievement, you must all be so proud now that you’ve recovered! Thanks for linking up with #parentpower
I haven’t really hiked with my kids but we live in London so that’s a bit trickier. I used to hike as a teenager and young adult though and it is amazing although you do need to have the right kit. Looks like a stunning spot to be.
#parentpower
Hi
Suggest next time you check the weather forecast before taking juveniles to places as uncertain as Scafell Pike. What other elementary mistakes have you made?
Nala
Hi, So interestingly we had checked in for expert weather advice at the YHA that morning as to the best weather day for a family hike up Scafell and they had suggested this one, particularly as there was a 70% chance of a view from the top! My take away from this was that you can’t rely on even the most local and up to date forecast and should prepare for all and any weather the mountain throws at you.😁
I think the biggest mistake this time was combining slightly fatter waterproof socks without wearing slightly bigger boots. Next time. If we dare.