Broad Stand | D Trad climb at Scafell East Buttress

UKClimbing.com

Wasdale Mountain Rescue:

Broad Stand is the series of rock steps and slabs which link Scafell to Mickledore on Scafell Pike. It has been described as a scramble but has moves of rock climbing difficulty above large drops and an unforgiving landing – in the event of a fall. The rock is often slippy and in winter can retain snow and ice long after it has melted elsewhere. In poor visibility it can be hard to find the correct route which weaves a complex route between Scafell Crag and Scafell East Buttress.

References

[1] https://www.wmrt.org.uk/scafell-broad-stand/

Contributors
TdG
17 contributions since 14th August 2025.

Pics + Vids

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Ascents

1 recorded ascents.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Samuel Taylor Coleridge Solo | onsight 6th Aug 1802
First ascent.

Descended. The first recorded recreational rock climb.

So I began to suspect that I ought not to go on but then unfortunately tho’ I could with ease drop down a smooth Rock 7 feet high, I could not climb it so go on I must and on I went — the next 3 drops were not half a Foot, at least not a foot more than my own height but every Drop increased the Palsy of my Limbs—I shook all over, Heaven knows without the least influence of Fear. And now I had only two more to drop down—to return was impossible—but of these two the first was tremendous—it was twice my own height, & the Ledge at the bottom was exceedingly narrow, that if I dropt down upon it I must of necessity have fallen backwards & of course killed myself. My Limbs were all in a tremble—I lay upon my Back to rest myself, & was beginning according to my Custom to laugh at myself for a Madman, when the sight of the Crags above me on each side, & the impestuous Clouds just over them, posting so luridly & so rapidly northward, overawed me.

I lay in a state of almost prophetic Trance & Delight—& blessed God aloud, for the powers of Reason & of the Will, which remaining no Danger can overpower us! O God, I exclaimed aloud—how calm, how blessed am I now. I know not how to proceed, how to return but if I am calm & fearless & confident—if this Reality were a Dream, if I were asleep, what agonies had I suffered! what screams!—When the Reason & the Will are away, what remain to us but Darkness & Dimness & a bewildering shame, and Pain that is utterly Lord over us, or fantastic Pleasure, that draws the Soul along swimming through the air in many shapes, even as a Flight of Starlings in a Wind.

References

[1] https://www.gethistories.com/p/the-birth-of-mountaineering-1802