Distance 10.3 km
Total ascent 1063 m
It was Early May 2012 when myself and Dave decided we needed to get up to the Lakes. We decided to on Great Gable again in order to forget the disaster we had trying to climb it on another occasion. We had also booked ourselves in at The Screes Inn at Nether Wasdale, so we could afford to take our time and was assured of a hot meal and a few pints when we had finished. The forecast wasn’t great but it wasn’t going to deter us from conquering THE GABLE at last…
When we arrived at Wasdale, we were greeted with low cloud and a bit of drizzle. No problem for us seasoned hikers, so we tooled up and set off on our walk.
Dave putting his order in for when we finished
Our planned route up Great Gable
Following Lingmell Beck before the climbing started
Dave enjoying himself (it wouldn’t last)
Looking up at the climb ahead of us
After about a mile, we started to climb out of the valley and onto the slopes of Great Gable
Looking back down the valley towards wastwater
I was struggling a bit at this point
Mad for it…
The famous Napes Needle. No climbers on it today though
Sphinx Rock
We had decided to cut across on the climbers traverse so we could see Napes Needle and Sphinx rock. Once seen we headed back and then Dave had a brainwave. He wanted to climb up the rocks to the top instead of by the route we had planned. Never one to argue I agreed, and wasn’t overly surprised that it turned out to be a bad decision. The rocks had got steeper and was a bit too much for our limited experience so we decided to cut across back to where we were supposed to be. And then it happened…. We reached a point where we had to jump from the rocks onto some flattish ground below. So Dave, in his infinite wisdom took off his rucksack and threw it on the ground below. It landed on the flat and bounced about 10 ft down the hill. He then insisted on throwing mine and promptly threw it nowhere near his and we just watched as it bounced about 150 meters down the scree slope until it came to a fortunate stop. After a few choice words, it was decided it was Dave who should go and retrieve it…. Begrudgingly he did……
Go and fetch it Dave….
Keep going
Rueing the error of his ways
And he’s back
In the meantime I had managed to slip on one of the rocks and injured myself
Once Dave got back, we decided to rest for a bit so he could get his breath back and I could try and stop myself from bleeding to death..
That’s gonna fall some day
Looking back at wasdale
Nearing the top as the path turns left to go round the rocks
Posing next to Westmorland Cairn. What a view……
The final climb up to the summit was fairly steady, we took the obligatory pics next to Westmorland cairn and found ourselves on the rocky top of Great Gable..
The summit of Great Gable. 899m
Notice I am wearing a glove on my injured hand as it wouldn’t stop bleeding.
The war memorial on Great Gable
Looking down Ennerdale with Buttermere in the background
Great Gable comquered, it was now onto Kirk Fell. It was while descending Great Gable that we think we had discovered a new sport. That being the sport of Scree surfing. After not quite finding the path down towards Kirk fell we had a choice of either walking about 50 meters towards the path or, head straight down the scree slope. Being lazy sods that we are, it was the latter.
Dave making it look easy
A great view of Great gable
The route down Great Gable. Notice how steep the scree section is..
Looking back at Great Gable from the summit of plateau like Kirk fell
Kirk Fell summit 787m.
That’s got to be the coolest looking lamb I’ve ever seen
Originally we had planned to climb Pillar after Kirk Fell, but after considering the time and our need for a pint or 2, we decided to save that climb for another day.
Pillar in the background
We descended from Kirk Fell towards Black sail pass and followed Mosedale Beck which would lead us to wasdale and our well earned reward of a few pints.
Mosedale beck
Wasdale
Done it! The bridge next to the Wasdale Head Inn
View of Great Gable from wasdale
Happy days
Our hosts for the night. The Screes Inn at Nether Wasdale
The Strands Inn
Yet another great day on the hills. Despite my injury and Dave’s mishap with my rucksack, it was a superb walk. The weather was perfect and we managed to conquer Great Gable together. With the spectacular scenery and endless walks that can be done from there, Wasdale is definitely my favorite part of the Lakes. Our night in the Screes Inn was excellent too, having been upgraded when we got there, we had some lovely food and several pints there and in the Strands Inn to celebrate another great day…..
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