Saturday 31st August 2019
0645 Meet and Start
 
The aim of the Borrowdale10 Challenge is to complete this 12 mile circuit in under 12 hours, so an early start for this challenge is required. Starting in the popular hamlet of Seathwaite the route starts heading uphill pretty much from the word go. The first peak is Base Brown, and this is gained by taking the steep staircase which climbs alongside the impressive Sourmilk Gill and then zig-zagging our way up rugged ground to reach the summit. This is one of the hardest climbs of the entire challenge, and it is a relief when easier terrain can be enjoyed to summit the second peak, Green Gable. The third peak, Great Gable, comes soon after and a short rocky ascent onto it's boulder strewn summit is all that stands in the way.
Fingers crossed at this point the skies are clear and you can enjoy the views off of Great Gable, as the views from this mountain are possibly the best in the Lake District.
A long descent from Great Gable to Styhead Pass feels harsh, especially as the next section of the walk will see you ascending once more towards Scafell Pike. The Corridor route is used to gain height to Lingmell Col, from which Lingmell is easily tagged. A short backtrack to Lingmell Col then brings the final summit slopes of Scafell Pike. The ground is now rough once more as it was on Great Gable. A few false summits later and the summit of Scafell Pike finally comes, and with it so does the highest mountain in England and the half way mark of this challenge.
The sixth and seventh peaks, Broad Crag and Ill Crag, arrive swiftly. Next is Great End which also has easy slopes in order to reach it's impressive summit.
The route now heads to Esk Hause, from which Allen Crags is taken in as peak 9 in an 'out and back' fashion.
The final peak is Seathwaite Fell, a smaller fell which stands in the middle of many of the peaks you will have already walked throughout the day. It is always a great place to take a moment to reflect on the challenge before descending, steeply at first, back in to the valley bottom.
 
The Borrowdale10 Challenge is a perfect step up from something like the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge and a great primer for harder challenges such as the Lakeland 10 Peaks or Lakeland 24 Peaks Challenge. 
 
Highlights Of This Walk Include
 
Summit 10 peaks, 5 of which are in the top 10 highest in England!
The chance to put yourself against a tough challenge to find out how fit you are
Great views from every peak
15% off vouchers for Cotswold Outdoor and Snow & Rock for any kit purchases