Name of walk	Wastwater Circuit
Date of walk	2023-04-18

After a holiday in Barbados, a month long chest infection, followed by a bad back, this is my first walk since the middle of February. I decided on a walk around Wastwater tackling the notorious Wasdale Screes ‘path’. The walk is about 8.5 miles and would take me about 5hrs. I drove via Gosforth parking in the lay-by opposite the Gosforth turn off.

From my parking spot I walk down to the lake, it is 8.15am and quite still.

I walk up to the viewpoint by the stone shelter for the classic view of Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Lingmell and Scafell Pike.

Behind me is Buckbarrow and Middle Fell. I head along the road then down to the lakeshore path in front of the Youth Hostel.

It is sheltered from any wind here and there are usually good reflections.

The sun over the screes.

The Youth Hostel.

I follow the track beside Low Wood.

So still.

The boathouse.

Reflections of Whin Rigg and the electricity sub-station, which I will pass on my route.

More reflections of Whin Rigg, I continue on until I reach Lund Bridge.

I cross Lund Bridge.

I head back along the other side of the River Irt.

Coming back towards the boathouse on the opposite side.

Just past the substation is the start of the path to the screes.

Looking across to the Youth Hostel.

The start of the scree/boulder field. There is no path. it is best traversed about 20m up from the water. It is horrid and awkward. Good balance and concentration is essential. Each foot placement needs thought. The rocks move! I treated it like a rock climb, maintain three points of contact. I used my walking stick poles, for balance. Many of the boulders are large, so I could use hand holds too.

Every so often I saw a little cairn to head for, simple reassurance that others have passed this way and not died!

View back the way I came. The first boulder field took me 30 minutes to cross. There are several others ahead, but cover a shorter distance.

This one had smaller rocks and was much nearer the water. The wind was getting up now.

Some bits were nice and easy.

Eventually the scree rocks were small enough to have been compressed to a kind of path, so now the going was far easier.

....but not always.

Some great views to Yewbarrow. Bowderdale on the left.

The gorse is looking good.

Easy walking ahead now.

Once all the difficult bits were overI stopped on a large rock on the shore for lunch, as it was nearly midday.

View to Great Gable and Lingmell from my lunch rock.

Lingmell, Scafell PIke and Scafell.

The girls strike a pose.

I head past Wasdale Head Hall Farm.

They have alpacas!

Pulpit Rock on Scafell PIke.

I cross Lingmell Gill.

The new toilet block at Brackenclose NT car park.

I cross Lingmell Beck out on to the road for the long walk back.

The view of Lingmell, Scafell PIke and Scafell from the road.

Back where I was this morning. It's a lot windier.

One last photo of Wastwater then it is back to my car.

A good walk apart from the horrendous scree. The walk took me 5hrs and 20 minutes, including lunch. Unfortunately the OS maps still persist in showing a footpath all the way around the lake, which is very misleading for those not familiar with its reputation. There should be more detailed warning signs at the start of the path so that unaware or inexperienced walkers, and those with dogs or children, have more advanced warning of the conditions ahead, so they can make better choices. There is no phone signal on the scree path for those that find themselves in difficulty.

Jo.