Whensoever

For serving and ex members of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service

Everest 50th Anniversary Event - Scafell Pike 29 May 2003

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Everest’s first ascent, Ron Cameron co-ordinated the scaling of Scafell Pike, accompanied by Dave Wood. Scafell Pike, at 977m/3,206 feet, is England’s highest mountain.

Pete McGowan and nine members of the ‘Stepping Out’ in Clayton and Newton Heath Health Walk Scheme, East Manchester, joined Ron and Dave on the day. The party included Ann Inman, Elsie and Ron Ogden, Stephen Hughes, Brenda Hall, Brian Chaplin, Don Lestrange, Alan and Estella Keane.

The party departed a wee bit late at 9.15am from Seathwaite in ideal weather conditions, dry, overcast with high clouds, little wind and a few odd light showers. The ascent to Stockley Bridge was a doddle and my ‘Granny’ would have been well pleased with the gradient here! Turning right over the bridge Ron and Dave set a nice slow pace ’pole, pole’ up the next steep section by Taylorgill Force waterfall and up into Skew Gill. The gradient now eased a little as we slowly passed Styhead Tarn and pulled up to the MRC rescue box at Sty Head for 11.45am. The weather had improved a little but light cloud still hovered over the summit of ‘The Big Fellow’!

After we all had ‘well stocked the engine’ Click for photograph, ready for the next long pull, we set off along Corridor Route to Lingmell Col. From the path we had splendid views of Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Pillar and Red Pike. The route crossed a number of small ravines (one offering a bit of climbing down, over a section that could well prove a bit tricky in the wrong conditions!) but Piers Gill was most impressive at it fell away steeply to the Wasdale valley below.

Ron and Dave had gone ahead and were on the summit for 1.10pm to make the 5-peak telephone conference call at 1.30 pm with Tom Taylor on Carrrantuohill in Eire.

From Lingmell Col the rest of us slowly made our way up the well-marked stony pathway, a bit of a slog, to reach the crowded summit for 3.45pm. Summit Trig Point Photograph The clouds had gone and we were able to enjoy superb panoramic views of Lakeland. The champagne came out Summit Champagne Photograph  and we toasted all those British mountaineers who had gone before us to the far corners of the world, and to our good fortune that our wee group had made such an effort to reach the summit of this magical mountain one of the finest days in years.

The return route was by way of Esk Hause, Sprinkling Tarn, Sty Head and Skew Gill to Seathwaite, for 9.15pm! A full 12 hours on ‘The Hill’. What a day to remember! Length: 9.5 miles/15km. Ascent: 3,208ft/0.6 mile/978m!

Late again! Not another epic? Missed dinner in the hotels and pubs! Made do with some excellent fish and chips in Keswick, before returning to our B & B. Our planned party will have to wait for another time!

In considering the day’s value, the party included: One young 37-year-old man, who was overweight (33 stones!) and suffered a heart attack in September 2001. He has lost over thirteen stones since then. One asthma sufferer claims his peak flow readings have increased noticeably since joining the health walk scheme and one 74-year-old man who used to struggle and be out of breath walking from his home, up the steep hill to the village post office, now makes the same journey with ease!

Ann Inman, a Senior Health Promotion Specialist, Said “ Recent publicity has cast doubts in peoples minds about the benefits of walking for health. Today has proved to all of those involved in the ascent of Scafell just how effective walking has been in improving the health and fitness of this group. Twelve months ago none of this group had done any serious walking and today they have reached the summit of Scarfell Pike – England’s ‘Everest’. This has been an incredible achievement for all of them – one they would not have believed possible only a year ago”.

Our sincere thanks to Ron Cameron and Dave Wood for their support, patience and great company on the day.

We all extend a huge vote of thanks to Tom Taylor, our President for 2003, for suggesting and organising this 5-peak event across the British Isles and Ireland. Lets hope we complete the 303 event!

Pete McGowan

© RAFMRA 2010