Mickledore, site of the rockfall

Mountain rescuers are warning walkers and climbers that they should take care after a rockfall on one of the main routes up England’s second-highest mountain.

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team said a small rockfall had taken place in the gully approaching Mickledore, the col between Scafell and Scafell Pike.

The rockfall is to the side of the gully above the Woolworth Boulder.

The route is used by walkers making the ascent of Scafell by Mickledore and Broad Stand or Foxes Tarn from Wasdale and the Hollow Stones route.

The route can also be used by walkers heading for Scafell Pike via Mickledore.

A team spokesperson said although the fall is just off the normal ascent line, the debris it has produced is unstable. “Caution is recommended,” the spokesperson added.

Broad Stand itself, just on the Eskdale side of the Mickledore col, is one of the team’s accident blackspots. The team said: “It has been described as a scramble but has moves of rock climbing difficulty above an unforgiving landing.

“Broad Stand is an extremely dangerous area which has unfortunately seen a number of fatalities.”

Lord’s Rake, another route from Hollow Stones to Scafell’s summit, also has a substantial amount of loose rock.