Is it safe to climb Scoat Fell today and tomorrow?

Today on Scoat Fell is rated Poor and tomorrow Marginal, from the summit forecast. Summit forecast updated 16:08, 18 Oct. The reasons are below, followed by what the rating can't tell you.

Is it safe to climb Scoat Fell today?

Poor Today Monday 19 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 44 mph, gusting 55 mph. That is past the Poor line (wind 40 mph or gusts 65 mph), when walking on exposed ground is hard and a fall more likely.
• Rain: 49% chance of rain, about 0.1 mm in all.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 55% and humidity 90% at summit height. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 8°C at the summit, down to 2°C, feeling as cold as -2°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06: 10h 17m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 4h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Is it safe to climb Scoat Fell tomorrow?

Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 27 mph, gusting 34 mph. That is past the Marginal line (wind 25 mph or gusts 45 mph): expect to be pushed about on ridges and the summit.
• Rain: 86% chance of rain, about 12 mm in all. A 60% chance or more makes the day Marginal on its own: wet rock is slippery and wet kit chills you faster.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 99% and humidity 97% at summit height. Air that close to saturation means the top is likely to be in cloud, so plan to navigate by map and compass. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 6°C at the summit, down to 2°C, feeling as cold as 0°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:04: 10h 12m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 4h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Is it safe to climb Scoat Fell this weekend?

Marginal Saturday 24 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 35 mph, gusting 44 mph. That is past the Marginal line (wind 25 mph or gusts 45 mph): expect to be pushed about on ridges and the summit.
• Rain: 72% chance of rain, about 19.5 mm in all. A 60% chance or more makes the day Marginal on its own: wet rock is slippery and wet kit chills you faster.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 91% and humidity 96% at summit height. Air that close to saturation means the top is likely to be in cloud, so plan to navigate by map and compass. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 6°C at the summit, down to -4°C, feeling as cold as -7°C in the wind. Below freezing at the summit, so expect ice on rock and paths, especially early.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:59, sunset 17:55: 9h 56m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 4h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Poor Sunday 25 October

• Wind and gusts: Summit wind up to 52 mph, gusting 65 mph. That is past the Poor line (wind 40 mph or gusts 65 mph), when walking on exposed ground is hard and a fall more likely.
• Rain: 88% chance of rain, about 24.6 mm in all. A 60% chance or more makes the day Marginal on its own: wet rock is slippery and wet kit chills you faster.
• Cloud: Cloud cover averages 56% and humidity 86% at summit height. The forecast gives no cloud base height; the main peak page estimates one from the valley forecast.
• Temperature and wind chill: Up to 6°C at the summit, down to 1°C, feeling as cold as -5°C in the wind.
• Daylight: Sunrise 07:01, sunset 16:52: 9h 51m of daylight. The longest route listed here takes about 4h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule, before stops.

Weekend forecasts firm up during the week; check again the day before.

What the verdict covers, and what it doesn't

Peakify rates each day Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. That is all it measures: the weather forecast at the summit.

It does not know your fitness or experience, whether you can navigate in cloud with a map and compass, or what you are carrying. It does not see the state of the path, river levels, snow and ice already on the ground, or how the forecast is changing during the day. A Good day can still go wrong if you start late, turn an ankle or lose the path in mist, and a Marginal day can be fine for an experienced party on the easiest route.

On any day, carry waterproofs, warm layers, a hat and gloves, food, water, a head torch and a charged phone, and know how you would navigate if the top is in cloud. Tell someone your route and when you expect to be down. In winter conditions you need an ice axe and crampons and the skill to use them, or a guide.

Route notes for Scoat Fell

Wasdale Head via Mosedale and Wind Gap

From Wasdale Head (National Trust car park). Walk up Mosedale and climb to Wind Gap, then follow the stony ridge south-west to the summit wall. Graded Moderate: a hill path, rough or rocky in places, below the Hard and Scramble grades. In cloud, take care to stay on the path. About 3h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (5.2 km one way, 841 m of ascent).

Ennerdale via Steeple

From Bowness Knott car park, Ennerdale. Walk through the forest along Ennerdale, climb to Steeple and cross the short, narrow ridge to Scoat Fell. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 4h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule (8.2 km one way, 765 m of ascent).

Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head

From Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Overbeck Bridge National Trust car park. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground. About 3h 45m there and back by Naismith's rule (5.9 km one way, 820 m of ascent).

Ennerdale western fell walking paths

From Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale. A hard mountain walk to the summit from Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale. Graded Hard: steeper, rougher or longer than the moderate routes, with more time on high, exposed ground.

Full distances, ascent and times are on the Scoat Fell routes page.

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Mountain rescue teams in the UK are volunteers called out through the police. Give your location (a grid reference from a map or phone app if you can), what has happened, how many are in your group and your phone number, then keep the phone free. If you have no signal, try to move to higher ground or text 999; you need to have registered your phone with the emergencySMS service before for a text to work.

Questions about Scoat Fell

Is it safe to climb Scoat Fell today?

Today, Monday 19 October: light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 44 mph gusting 55 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Poor. The rating covers the summit weather only; your route, kit and experience matter as much.

Is it safe to climb Scoat Fell tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Tuesday 20 October: slight rain, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 34 mph, 86% chance of rain. Rated Marginal.

How does Peakify decide whether Scoat Fell is safe to climb?

Peakify rates each day Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. It does not judge your fitness, kit, navigation or the state of the path.

Who do I call in an emergency on Scoat Fell?

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (a grid reference if you can), what happened and how many are in your group. Stay with the casualty and keep them warm.