A Lake District Classic. With an approach from Wasdale Head, Great
Gable and Kirk Fell was the objective. I ascended Kirk Fell by its SSW ridge. Wainwright describes this line as ‘a relentless and unremitting treadmill, a
turf clutching crawl, not a walk’. Despite the steepness of the path, however,
the surrounding views are stunning.
From the summit of
Kirk Fell, I dropped down to a col and ascended Great Gable by its NW ridge.
A cloud inversion had formed when I arrived at the summit. I then descended Great
Gable by its SW ridge and tried to find Napes Needle, with no success. I ended
up descending very steep scree slopes, which eventually dropped onto the
Moses path and back to Wasdale Head. This route, overall, is definitely a three star classic and is thoroughly recommended.
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| The summit of Great Gable |
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| Cloud inversion viewed from the summit of Great Gable |
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| The view towards Buttermere |
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| Kirk Fell |
