Home   Glossary

Sca Fell

English/Welsh
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
964 m (3162 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NY20690645
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
n/a
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
2
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Hill with bare summit
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  89   West Cumbria, Cockermouth & Wast Water
  90   Penrith & Keswick, Ambleside
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Sca Fell (3000ft+) , in the Lake District (England), forms the northern end of a 1.5km ridge running S to Slight Side (762m) with steep grassy slopes W and crags E. It lies 1km SW of Scafell Pike (3000ft+) , from which it is separated by the Mickledore col.

The N face of Sca Fell comprises fine crags preventing the ascent from Mickledore by walkers, who must detour down on the Wasdale (NW) side to Lord’s Rake (beginning with a steep stone-filled gully), or lower on the Eskdale (SE) side, in order to bag both fells in one outing. Sca Fell can be ascended directly from Wasdale and upper Eskdale, or by the long S ridge from the Eskdale road.

The ascent from Wasdale via Lord’s Rake, which best reveals the fine topography of the mountain, is a classic for adventurous walkers which became controversial in 2003 when a rock fall left a giant boulder lodged at the top of the first section of the rake. The rake is straight, runs WSW and has 2 cols and 2 dips before reaching safety after 3rd rise.

The landowners (National Trust) posted notices declaring the route unsafe, which walking clubs rebuked as symptomatic of the ‘nanny state’. Clearly the boulder will fall down the gully one day, and there is a risk of further rock slippage. Walkers must be aware of the relative risks involved in using the route, and exercise all necessary caution.

Hazards you may encounter on Sca Fell include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags within 1km of summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
A special thank you to David S Brown for his work on this and all of the England/Wales information.
Picture Gallery for Sca Fell

Below the cliffs of Sca Fell; February 1971.

© Roger Vander Steen
Image by Roger Vander Steen

Zoomed shot of Sca Fell seen across Eskdale, taken from Crinkle Crags.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Sca Fell seen from the slopes of Scafell Pike, with cloud swirling around Symond's Knott.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Sca Fell taken from the sketchy 'climbers traverse' path below Scafell Pike. The scree in centre leads up to the beginning of Lord's Rake, which cannot be seen from this angle as it turns the corner to the right.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
View All 11 Images for Sca Fell

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Cumbrian Fells
by MWIS (PDF format) 		Lake District
by Met Office 		Sca Fell
by Metcheck
Sca Fell Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Sca Fell.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Sca Fell
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 890 m 6.97 km 3 hrs Sca Fell  Classic ascent through crags for experienced walkers via Lord’s Rake: see Mountain Description for cautions. Do NOT attempt route in reverse unless familiar with Lord’s Rake from uphill end.  
2 1120 m 9.51 km 4 hrs Scafell Pike and Sca Fell  Moderate route, from Wasdale, to reach two 3000ft+ peaks with no scrambling involved, but steep scree slopes to negotiate between the two peaks.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Sca Fell

  Baggers Gallery for Sca Fell

Me at summit Sca Fell 14/06/08

© John Donnelly
Image by John Donnelly
 
The logging section stores any entries for Sca Fell in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
You need to be a member to have a route log.
Recently Climbed By
None shared in the last 12 months

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Scafell Pike and Sca Fell
by David McSporran

Post a few words about Sca Fell or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
There are currently no comments for this Mountain.
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
There are no Route Write-Ups submitted for Sca Fell
 
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Contact Us