Wastwater Screes

Location

W Lakes - W of Scafell

Details

With the right forecast it is still a gamble to travel to this side of the lakes and have the right conditions to fly on the Screes. This is probably why it is so infrequently flown; usually by the few locals over here.
Despite the chance of disappointment, the views over the green pastures and Wastwater makes this the most remarkable site to fly. Experienced pilots may jump the gap onto Scafell and back, but be careful of unexpected sink or rotor from the crags that lead all the way up to the summit. The Screes face NW, but be aware that on a sunny summer's day the sea breeze can turn the wind into a westerly and blow up the valley. NNW can oppose the influence and produce a convergence line marked by a continuous cloud. If taking off from the lower take-offs, allow for localised compression at any point along the Screes ridge - keep forward and progress slowly if unsure.
Certainly a site everyone must visit a few times in their flying career.

Site Officer

David Ashcroft : 07752 750869

Postcode for Sat Nav Systems (read the Health Warning!)

CA20 1ET

The church in Nether Wasdale. This is 500m NW of Forest Bridge where you should park.

Getting There

Through Nether Wasdale (from Gosforth), turn right, then immediately left over bridge, and up farm lane to Easthwaite Farm (to ask for permission). If you ask the farmer you may be allowed to park at the farm, and then walk up. Otherwise, return to park at Forest Bridge (just south east of Nether Wasdale). Park in a layby beneath Irton Pike (beware of thieves operating!).

Getting to takeoff

From Easthwaite Farm, take the track up the fell towards Eskdale. The walk is a long, hard slog.From the parking area, cross the River Irt and pass through the small gate onto the bridle path leading over a lovely big field and up through a forest to the foot of the fell (marshy). The take off is anywhere to the LHS of the bridle path when you reach the top, 1.8km or more East of Irton. Again, the walk is strenuous! The forestry road at the rear of the hill can be driven to 300M from take off but the gate is often locked and obtaining it rquires inside knowledge!. Driving up is really the only option for HG pilots.

XC potential

For the experienced pilot, the XC potential is excellent either starting from the gentler slopes or(better) from the top of the screes themselves (Ill Gill Head). It is a natural decision to jump across to Scafell and then back onto Crinkle Crags, across Wrynose Pass and onto the back of Coniston Old Man. Alternatively, on a thermic day, you can travel directly to Coniston Old Man from the top of the Screes (Ill Gill Head) via Harter Fell and over the Duddon Valley.

Permission to use site

Need to contact the farmer, at Eastwaite Farm, Wasdale,before flying on the Screes and for obtaining a landing field.

IMPORTANT - Restrictions on use

None as such, but bottom landing field permission must be sought before flying.

Paragliding

If the wind at take off is high/moderate, then don't fly. If the wind is moderate then there should be no problem. It is recommended that you always keep some speed in reserve for higher up or flying above the Screes. If the wind is too light to take off, then follow the path east to a huge grassy bowl before you get to the Screes. You can fly right up the valley, across the Burnmoor gap, and onto Scafell/Lingmell - and back again. Be careful at the head of the valley - winds will come down Mosedale and it is easy to enter severe rotor. Easy take-off and flying in smooth conditions but it can be quite radical in thermic conditions.

Hang Gliding

For hang glider pilots it is possible to arrange access through the forestry to arrive at an area in the forest behind take off leaving a relatively straightforward 20 min. carry. The notes for paragliders generally apply.Excellent with good potential. Consider bottom landing areas before flying ... especially if going north and you get low. No official bottom landing field.

Additional Safety Notes

In moderate winds the areas towards Scafell can become dangerous. Additionally, the winds can be tricky in front of Crinkle Crags. This area is very magnetic, so keep out of the clouds. In strong conditions there is some rotor at take-off from Latterbarrow. If you get to Scafell be careful of gullies etc as there are lots of rotor areas. Make sure that you stay well out at the front. If landing near Wasdale Head Inn, wind can either be coming up the lake, or down Mosedale! See references to strong conditions. The cliff edge above the top of the Screes is prone to violent rotor! Due to the the strong compression PG's should stay well forward if conditions are strong.

Resources

Don't click on flight logs, download to your PC first (right click and 'Save Link As')

Type	Click to Follow Link	Notes
Google Earth - Car Park
Google Street View - Parking
Multi Map - Take Off

Follow the links for further details of a site. For flights you will probably need to right click and save the link to your PC before opening Google Earth.
Google Earth links rely on Google Earth being installed on your system. Google Earth provides pan and tilt faciity. You can also upload your flights to GE - use GPS Dump (Links Page) to convert a variety of GPS file formats to a GE kml file
Flash Earth is an alternative to Google Earth but provides a top down view only. To view in Flash Earth, click on the instruction text to clear it - the cross is the spot

Local Information

Pubs

Nearest pubs to the site - for post flying debriefing only!

No pub details are available for this site. Send your recommendations to the webmaster.

 

A selection of photos showing key aspects of the site. If you have a good photo showing take off and landing areas, then send it to the webmaster. Aerial shots showing the landing area are especially welcome.

No photos available for this site. Good quality photos of CSC sites always required.

 

Site Records

This page shows records for this site. Some of the older records are not very detailed. More recent records may have an igc file available You can right click and download this to your PC. You can then use IGC Flight replay to view the flight.

Paragliding

Open Distance XC
Distance :	64.9km
Date :	13/08/1994
Pilot :	Mike Cavanagh
Notes :	Landing at Twistleton Scars nr Ingleton

Hang Gliding

No records for this site