Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, Great Gable

[A Drunken Taffer]

Great Gable including Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, and a trudge through Dubs bottom

Its 6am, I've just finished the night shift, the sun is shining, perfect day for Great Gable. I rushed home, picked up a few hours sleep, had a spot of breakfast and jumped in the car heading for Honister Slate Mine.

Being a bit of a cheap skate (£5 car parking for anyone who wants to know ) I drove a bit further toward Borrowdale, as at the side of the road there is plenty of space for a few cars... and is free . Hopped out of the car, donned the rucksack and set off back along the road to the slate mine.

The steep incline from the car park to the summit of Grey Knotts was by far the most exhausting part for me, but eventually I reached the cairn at the top and took a few photos with my phone. Off to the south, Great Gables summit was just about in cloud.



I carried on along the path and climbed a bit more to the top of Brandreth, before beginning the ascent to the summit of Green Gable. At the top of Green Gable the cloud began to lift and the summit of Great Gable was now fully in view.



After a brief stop for more pictures and a sandwich, I scrambled down to Windy Gap, and began the final attack on Great Gable. The final stretch up consisted of clambering over boulders, not the route to go if you don't like getting your hands dirty! , eventually though, I reached the summit, and it was all worthwhile. The cloud had lifted far enough now that fantastic views could be caught of Ennerdale forest as well as Wasdale and the infamous Scafell group. I took a few more photographs before taking a seat at the summit with a few more weary travellers and enjoyed my last egg sandwich...









After a brief respite I made my way down from Great Gable, a hard descent to begin with, with plenty of scrambling and clambering .


Eventually it levelled out and I walked along under Gable Crag heading back toward Brandreth and Grey Knotts. On reaching Brandreth I noticed the stream that led into Dubs bottom, having wanted to wander along that stream for a while I decided I'd have a go at a bit of light gorge scrambling on my way back. So, going 'off piste' I followed the streams decent into Dubs bottom.



Having reached the bottom I then trudged through some very marshy land before climbing back up the other side, onto the old Honister tramway and followed this back to the mine, and back to the car.

Overall a fantastic walk, one I would recommend, and would definitely do again!

[Ibex]

Nice walk that one. Did one similar a while back, but also fit in Kirk Fell and Base Brown. The only downside is climbing up the North ridge of Great Gable. Beast of a climb.

Nice photos there. I think the view from the top of Great Gable is one of the most stunning in Lakeland. One way is Ennerdale valley and Haystacks and is just stunning. Then to the West you have Wast Water and South is the Scafell massif. Each way you look, there is wonderful scenery to look at.

The parking at the slate mine might be pricey, but they do a good hot chocolate.