Great Gable from Honister

DATE 10.09.2020 | DISTANCE approx 8.8KM approx | HIGHEST POINT 899M

Posted by Matt | Filed under Lake District

 

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Only my second time ever summitting great gable. The last time was 12 years ago! This time i wanted to hike it from a different side. One thing i instantly noticed from today's route was that it is a whole lot less strenuous than hiking from the bottom of wasdale. The added height gain from starting at Honistor slate mine makes a huge difference. I found when reaching the summit i had loads of energy and didn't feel my usual wave of tiredness. Thinking about it now, i really should have added in Kirk Fell, the adjoining peak, because i still have yet to bag it. Taking this route today also meant that we would bag some other wainwright's too. Grey knotts, Brandreth and green gable are also now ticked off the list.

 

Honister slate mine. a cool and gloomy start to the day.

not much of a climb until things levelled out above. This was a surprisingly gentle route for now.

The old Drum House

Grey Knotts. We passed by with the intension to visit it on our return

Buttermere and Crummock Water

3 great lakes - Ennerdale Water, Crummock Water and Buttermere.

cairns galore on this route

Green Gable and then Great Gable beyond.

Down into Gillercomb

The Ennerdale valley below

On Windy Gap looking up to Great Gable

A mixed clamber up Great Gable consisting of small sections of easy scramble and loose rock

Catherine on the summit of Great Gable

WastWater below and Wasdale

The Scafell Range. Cloud free for a change! Typically, when I am not on it.

Lunch on Great Gable

First World War Memorial on the summit of Great Gable

Descending and looking down to Ennerdale from Windy Gap

Catherine on Green Gable

Our route back ahead

Green Gable summit

Another great view down ito Ennerdale

Grey Knotts ahead

Ennerdale again.

Catherine at Brandreth summit

The view from Grey Knotts

A steep descent on a lesser trodden route took us back down to Honister Slate Mine. Time for great cakes at the Mine Cafe.