Great Gable (899m), Green Gable (801m), Base Brown (646m) 12/07/2017
Distance 9km, Ascent 750m, Time 5h
We parked at Seathwaite*, off the Borrowdale Road. Although this is the wettest place in England, we picked a fine day for a walk. There is parking at Seathwaite Farm (£3 all day) and along the access road (free). We continued along the main track through the farm and on to Stockley Bridge. From here we ascended the well-marked path up Greenhow Knotts and along Styhead Gill to Styhead Tarn. Along this route Scafell Pike dominates the view ahead, and Great Gable is out of sight). On reaching the junction of several routes at Sty Head we turned right (NW) and ascended the steep rocky slopes to the summit of Great Gable - and found a male Ring Ouzel en route. Continuing on we descended the steep rocky slopes of Great Gable and found a spot with a view across Windy Gap to have our lunch. From Windy Gap the ascent to Green Gable is easy and affords good views back of Great Gable and across towards the Honister slate quarries. The better marked path passes to the west of Base Brown but we continued on the less well-marked path to the summit of Base Brown. From here there is initially a traceable path but this soon disintegrates into sheep tracks on steep slopes and route finding to regain the main route near the Sourmilk Gill waterfalls is not straightforward. Even on the main path the route through the rocks alongside the falls involves some scrambling.
* Not to be confused with Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley (South Cumbria)
* Not to be confused with Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley (South Cumbria)