The Scafell range as seen looking west from Crinkle Crags. (Interactive labels.)
Geology
Geologically, parts of the Scafell massif are the remnants of a volcano that erupted in the Ordovicianperiod over 400 million years ago. This volcano, geologically described as a caldera and an "inverse stratovolcano", as well as all other volcanoes of the Lake District, are long since extinct.[2]
The volcano is an example of a piecemeal caldera whose collapse, in contrast with a wholesale piston-like subsidence, occurred in a piece-by-piece fashion along faults and whose measurements suggest formation from an eruption of a VEI-7 magnitude, comparable to the Minoan eruption at Santorini in the Greek Aegean in c. 1600 BCE. The Scafell dacite, between Little Narrowcove and Aaron Crags, is a lava dome formed during the last stages of volcanic activity at Scafell massif.[2]
An English Munro (or Furth) is a mountain summit that exceeds 3,000 feet (914.4 m) and has a prominence of more than 30 metres (98 feet). In England there are six peaks that meet that criteria and four of those are part of the Scafell Massif.[a]
(‡) Have the prominence of over 150 metres (492 ft) to qualify as a "Real Munro".
Accident black spots
Scafell and Scafell Pike
Mountain rescue post, Mickledore
The summit of Scafell (964 m) is only 14 m lower than Scafell Pike (978 m); it can sometimes appear to be higher because of its precipitous topography.
The traverse between England's two highest summit's via Mickledorecol requires considerable care and caution:
The route via Broad Stand is best avoided because it is dangerous.
