Great Gable Round from Honister Hause

[susanmyatt]

Hello everyone, a very early start yesterday as with hubby we set off for the Lakes, our base was to be the National Trust Car Park at Honister Slate Mine. We set off on our walk at 8.00am and ascended the old tram way.

Looking back from tram way to Honister Mines

We climbed on this pathway until we reached the old drum house.

By the old drum house

We turned left at the drum house and walked due south, it was quite a nice morning and some great views were opening up towards Buttermere.

Haystacks and High Stile range

Haystacks close up

The views got better but we knew the weather was coming in.

Buutermere, Crummock Water, Mellbreak and Rannerdale Knotts

We continued along Moses Trod and got our first views of Green and Great Gable with their heads in the clouds.

Green and Great Gable

We had decided to climb onto Gillercomb Head and then onto Green Gable.

Towards Green Gable

Lowest point before climb to Green Gable

We were still getting some good views before the clouds dropped.

Zoom in on The Langdale Pikes

Styhead Tarn

We reached Green Gable summit and suddenly teams of folk appeared as there was a two day event happening, some of the members seemed a little ill equipped but the army boys complete with shorts ran past

Green Gable summit at 801m

We could see Great Gable quite well from the top of Green Gable, at the moment.

Great Gable

Descended down to Windy Gap before the very steep climb to Great Gable.

Great Gable

It now started to close in a little and drizzle slightly, there were some views at first but it then became an almost white out, it was a struggle to see more than 15 metres.

Wastwater before the weather came in

Summit view

Summit plaque, 899m

After descending the same very steep way and back to Green Gable it was very difficult to spot our return to Brandreth and after some time consulting map and Satmap plus a quick glimpse through a cloudbreak when we saw Sourmilk Gill and Base Brown, we reached Brandreth summit.

Brandreth summit at 715m

Then it was on to Grey Knotts and although it was still the 700m level the cloud base was above us.

View to Grey Knotts

Grey Knotts summit, 697m

Now it was a matter of descending down back to the drum house, we had decided against taking the steep descent back direct to the car park.

Return off Grey Knotts to drum house

It was a shame that the weather closed in on us but it was still an enjoyable walk as are all those in the Lakes, at least the rain more or less kept away. Take care all of you and thanks for reading and the comments, see you soon

[mountain tortoise]

Hi Sue
Great report as usual. I was on the way to Scotland yesterday have remember my camera this time so hopefully I will be able to post some pics this time.
By the way are you a model or tester for mountain jackets you always seem to have a different colour jacket on?

[37lumleyst]

Hi Sue - cracking report. I've done that route several times but in the reverse order to how you did it. Its great to see the pics of the Gable from Green, although having come down that way, I wouldnt fancy climbing Gable from Green, I normaly climb from Stye Head.

Cracking report though.

Paul

[Paul Webster]

Brings back memories. That view down Buttermere and Crummock Water is perhaps matched only by the view over Wasdale from Gable - and you got both in one report

[pic4186]

Nice report Sue - that climb from Windy Gap up to Great Gable is steep isn't it. Mind you, I'm not sure there is an easy way up GG. We climbed up the same way as you then descended to Styhead - and to be honest I think to climb up thay way would be long and hard - better with the short-sharp-shock from Green Gable I say.

[susanmyatt]

Thanks for the feedback, yes MT, I do have a few jackets, due to a generous husband. It was a steep ascent and a shame that the weather dropped on us, the descent at times needs a bit of nerve. The view down Buttermere is my hubby's favourite, especially off Fleetwith Pike, thanks Sue

[mountain tortoise]

Lucky you having generous husband. Itsgreat when they buy things you really like for things you are interested in. Long may he keep it! I have not done the Lakes for years for weekly walks I go in North Wales it is so easy from where I live. When I get in the car I always go to Scotland off up Ben Hiant tomorrow so may have a report to right tomorrow night.