Route: Great Gable
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 5th June 2013
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 8.2 miles
Ascent: 2,400 feet
We parked at Seathwaite. It was a glorious morning, though it clouded up a bit later on
We climbed Base Brown first. Rather than a full frontal assault, we opted for the gentler, but longer, ascent via Gillercomb
The views from the top were superb. We had to retrace our steps for a short distance and there then followed a down and up to Green Gable, with more lovely views
From Green Gable we descended to Windy Gap (thankfully no wind today) and then made the rocky ascent to the summit of Great Gable (2,949 feet)
We had our picnic at the summit with a breathtaking view overlooking Wasdale, and then descended to Styhead and thence back to Seathwaite. It was a tiring but fantastic walk
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Seathwaite
Looking back to Seathwaite from the start of the climb up to Base Brown
Hot Dog
Cooler now
Base Brown - we went round the right hand side and sneaked up round the back
Base Brown summit, looking up to our next objectives, Green Gable, and Great Gable beyond it
Looking towards Borrowdale from Base Brown
On Green Gable, the Solway Firth and Scotland in the distance, Buttermere and Crummock Water on the right
The clouds start to come in
Windy Gap below, and the start of the climb up Great Gable
Ennerdale
Looking back, the rocky climb up Great Gable
View along Wasdale from Great Gable
The Westmorland Cairn
The Scafells
On the way down from Great Gable, Styhead and its tarn below
If you have the misfortune to slip or trip on this walk, here’s the place to do it
Styhead Tarn
Getting back to valley level, and to our start point at Seathwaite
Stockley Bridge
A last look back along our descent route
