After the sunshine of yesterday with a similar forecast for today it was time to pay the Lake District a visit, it felt like a long time since my last visit to Great Gable so Great Gable it was to be, an early start to beat the crowds and try to grab the summit for myself, if I still had a spring in my step after the long descent to Sty Head I would make my return over Seathwaite Fell.

The morning greeted me with a grey Lakeland, it was to stay like that all day but that was not to detract from a great day in the fells. From Seathwaite in Borrowdale I made my ascent up Sourmilk Gill to enter the hanging valley of Gillercomb, from where it was a short walk to the coll at Blackmoor Pols, here I decided on a short detour to the summit of Base Brown before the rocky ascent of Green Gable, across Windy Gap then up a steep scramble that deposited me on the boulder field that leads to the summit of Great Gable, a visit to the Westmorland Cairn before the long descent to Sty Head, from Sty Head I headed east to reach Sprinkling Tarn followed by what was easily the highlight of the day, a delightful stroll to the summit of Seathwaite Fell, rarely visited it's an absolute gem, there's no path from the summit of Seathwaite Fell, I set my compass and headed for a promising rake that would lead me down steep ground to Styhead Gill, success I found myself on a good path with an easy descent down to the valley floor.

Over Great Gable.	back to list view route map
	The impressive sight of Sourmilk Gill.
	From the ascent of Sourmilk Gill wonderful views over Seathwaite in Borrowdale.
	Stunning views from Gillercomb with Clough Head and the Dodds dominating the skyline.
	The summit cairn Base Brown.
	One of those magical Lakeland moments when blue/grey hills merge into a distant horizon.
	From the ascent of Green Gable views to Glaramara.
	The summit Green Gable with mighty Great Gable looming behind.
	In the distance the Langdale Pikes seen over the Glaramara Ridge.
	The Fell and Rock Climbing Club Memorial marks the summit of Great Gable.
	Hazy views into Ennerdale.
	Here's one for the walker I met on my ascent, he was convinced the Westmorland Cairn had been demolished, built in 1878 by the Westmorland brothers to mark the best view point in the Lake District, Wastwater and the Wasdale Valley.
	The Sca Fell massif as seen from the Westmorland Cairn.
	Descending to Sty Head with views to Great End.
	This shot was taken from near the summit of Sty Head Pass, over the slopes of Lingmell the mountains of Wasdale.
	The cliffs of Great End look imposing seen over Sprinkling Tarn.
	Great Gable reflects in one of the many unnamed tarns on Seathwaite Fell.
	From under the summit of Seathwaite Fell views to Bow Fell above Langdale.
	The summit Seathwaite Fell.
	Back on the valley floor looking back to Seathwaite Fell.
	Looking to Taylorgill Force.
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