The Gables from Seathwaite.

[mamoset]

With the weather forecast looking promising, we decided to make a walk up while taking in a 800m+ direct ascent. Though we haven't quite finished the Wainwrights, we find direct ascending of the bigger Lakeland fells rewarding. Set off walking just before 8.00 with just a light covering of cloud. Followed the path from Seathwaite to Stockley Bridge, where we crossed and headed up the side of Taylorgill Force.

Stockley Bridge

Taylorgill force was in full flow after the recent rains. We continued up the path until we came to Patterson's Fold, where we headed directly up the side of Green Gable. Bumped into this little fella on the scree heading up. I think it's a weasel but I never could tell the difference!!!

Weasel on the lookout.

As we gained height, the views across Styhead Tarn to the range from Great End to the Scafells became more impressive.

Great End, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike, Scafell & Lingmell

The scree under foot made the climb a little more arduous than it should have been, but we soon hit the summit.

Gable Crag & Kirk Fell from Green Gable.

The views all around where really good with Pillar and the High Stile range looking particularly impressive.

Pillar showing Pillar rock.

High Stile range & Haystacks.

From here, we descended to the top of Windy Gap where we took the path below Gable Crag and headed for Beck Head. We took the Rib End path to Kirk Fell, which was quite easy going.

Kirk Fell showing Rib End route & Beckhead Tarn.

A quick traverse across the top brought us to Kirk Fell summit & lunch

Pillar, High Stile & Grasmoor from kirk Fell summit.

Retraced our steps back down Rib End and took high path to the White Napes to ascend Great Gable.

Sun & shadow on the White Napes of Great Gable.

This is a fairly straight forward route up which brings you out below Westmorland Crag. There was a fair few climbers out today on the Lake Districts very own Inn Pinn, Napes Needle.

Climbers getting ready.

Strange views to have the Sphinx Rock and Napes Needle in line!!

Lakeland Inn Pinn & Sphinx Rock.

We didn't stay at the summit long, far too many people hanging round the cairn area, so we headed down what Wainwright called the Tourist Route to see if Dry Tarn lived up to its name. It didn't!!!

A wet Dry Tarn!!

From here we made our way across the hillside to Aaron Slack and headed to the path before again retracing our steps back to the car. All in all, a great day out.

Borrowdale from above Taylorgill Force.

[canisp]

A cracking set of photos like the shot of High Stile with the cloud licking the summit best, well except for the weasel that’s something special, i’ve been hill walking nearly 40 and never seen one .

[ndhudson]

Really gorgeous! My boyfrined is drooling over the pic of Lakeland Inn Pinn & Sphinx Rock.