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A Borrowdale Bimble

A Borrowdale Bimble


Postby johnkaysleftleg » Sun Apr 26, 2015 5:36 pm

Wainwrights included on this walk: Base Brown, Green Gable, Seathwaite Fell

Hewitts included on this walk: Base Brown, Green Gable, Seathwaite Fell

Date walked: 18/04/2015

Distance: 11 km

Ascent: 950m

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If our last Lakeland outing in the Far Eastern Fells had been somewhat untypical of the district this walk was very much in the heart of things. Seathwaite must be one of the most popular walking destinations due to the number and variety of walks available from here. This means turn up early or end up parking further and further up the road which doubles as a car park. Our primary targets of the day were two of Borrowdale's minor heights in the shape of Base Brown and Seathwaite Fell.
I've admired Base Brown whenever I've been here as it looks from the valley floor a sharp rugged pyramid masking the truth or it merely being a spur of the main ridge running to Honister. The initial climb is steep with some very simple scrambling but with the increasingly impressive views and the beautiful cascades of Sour Milk Ghyll it's a joy.

ImageSour Milk Ghyll Falls by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageA Stolen Moment by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageSour Milk Ghyll by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageSeathwaite by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

We decided to attempt the direct route to the summit rather than a trudge up Gillercombe so headed across open ground towards the huge boulder. Some occasionally rough and steep ground later we found the clear path running beneath the hanging stone. In turn we abandoned this in favor of some simple scrambling on out way to the fairly flat summit. It was a fine way up this fell and looking at the option of the out and back from the col with Green Gable well worth the effort. The views were very fine with the Scafells looking superb.

ImagePath under Hanging Stone by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageThe Hanging Stone by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageBase Brown View by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageGillercombe by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageThe Scafell Massif by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageGrace on Base Brown by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

In order to link up the two smaller fells a visit to Green Gable was in order which was hardly an issue given it must be one of the finest viewpoints in England. We had lunch taking in the stunning views up Ennnerdale, and Buttermere stretching all the way to Galloway which could be seen with remarkable clarity. I quite honestly could have stayed there for hours but with time pressing on the started our descent to Styhead Tarn.

ImageEnnerdale Close Up by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageAll the way to bonnie Scotland by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageEnnerdale wide view by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageEnnerdale by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Aaron slack is not a place name that stirs the soul but apart from a bit lose scree near the top it was a perfectly good way off the fell. We were rewarded by an amazingly deserted Styhead Tarn with Great End reflected in it's still waters. It was very tempting to stop and linger but we pushed onwards up to Sprinkling Tarn.

ImageGable Crag by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageHigh and Mighty by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageAaron Slack by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageReflecting on the End by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageGreat End by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Following the climb to Sprinkling Tarn, which seemed longer and steeper than the map suggested we had a rest in this sublime location. Once again we could have sat for hours but were spurred into life by a large wasp that took a particular liking to Nicola. Seathwaite fell isn't much to look at but its bejewelled craggy plateau it's a wonderful place to be on a day like this, so many superb views of some of the giants of Lakeland. We visited both tops before searching out a safe way off the fell without retracing our steps.

ImageSprinkling Tarn by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImagePart of Me by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageGlaramara by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageGreat Gable by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageGreat End by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageHughie by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageTrue Summit by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageThe Jaws of Borrowdale by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageSeathwaite Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageGrace on Seathwaite Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageWay off Seathwaite Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

This was a memorable day with conditions you dream about when the clag is down. The visibility was as good as I've seen in the lakes with no hint of haze apart from to the South. Doesn't get much better to be honest.


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johnkaysleftleg
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Location: County Durham

Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby petenelliewalking » Tue Apr 28, 2015 5:17 pm

Looks like you had a great day out. Great set of photos, particularly like 'True Summit'.
Peter
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petenelliewalking
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Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby mamoset » Wed Apr 29, 2015 4:54 pm

Looks like you had a far better day for it than I did recently. Some great shots there :)
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Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Thu Apr 30, 2015 9:12 pm

petenelliewalking wrote:Looks like you had a great day out. Great set of photos, particularly like 'True Summit'.
Peter


Thanks Peter it was a cracking day :D

mamoset wrote:Looks like you had a far better day for it than I did recently. Some great shots there :)


Cheers Mamoset
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johnkaysleftleg
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Location: County Durham

Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby ChrisW » Fri May 15, 2015 3:24 am

Lovely shots as always JK, this post damn near slipped off the page before I saw it...we must be getting some post of late :crazy:
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Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Fri May 15, 2015 10:07 pm

ChrisW wrote:Lovely shots as always JK, this post damn near slipped off the page before I saw it...we must be getting some post of late :crazy:


Cheers Chris, at least there's plenty of activity of late on here
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johnkaysleftleg
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Location: County Durham

Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby nigheandonn » Sat May 16, 2015 5:43 pm

Some lovely pictures there - I'm looking forward to getting back to Borrowdale :-)
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nigheandonn
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Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Sun May 17, 2015 9:24 am

nigheandonn wrote:Some lovely pictures there - I'm looking forward to getting back to Borrowdale :-)


Cheers Nighe, Borrowdale is indeed a grand place.
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johnkaysleftleg
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Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby stevesey » Sat May 30, 2015 4:22 pm

Great report - I'm planning exactly that route later in the year. Useful info on the Aaron Slack descent.
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Re: A Borrowdale Bimble

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:41 am

stevesey wrote:Great report - I'm planning exactly that route later in the year. Useful info on the Aaron Slack descent.


Thanks Stevesey, Aaron Slack is no bother, the way off Seathwaite Fell was far more unpleasant, must be a better way.
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johnkaysleftleg
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Posts: 3340
Munros:25   Corbetts:11
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Wainwrights:214   Islands:8
Joined: Jan 28, 2009
Location: County Durham

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