Wednesday 3rd February 2010

Start point: Wasdale Head (NY 187 087)

Wasdale Head - Moses Trod - Gavel Neese - Beck Head - Great Gable - Windy Gap - Green Gable - Aaron Slack - Sty Head - Moses Trod - Wasdale Head

Distance: 6 miles     Total Ascent: 900 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 15 minutes

Weather: Cold and clear. 2oC

Route Map

It was a clear night last night and very cold this morning in Wasdale. Once up above 600m, the wind added an extra chill factor and the snow was iced over which meant crampons and ice axe were definitely required. It all made the going quite slow but it was a really enjoyable winter walk and it was very quiet up there today - I didn't see a single person or indeed a footprint!

Pillar dominates Wasdale head.

Looking into Mosedale.

Great Gable.

Wasdale from the start of the climb to Great Gable.

High Stile and High Crag across the frozen Beck Head Tarns.

Kirk Fell across Beck Head.

Ennerdale and the High Stile ridge with Grasmoor to the right. The Solway Firth and Scotland are clearly visible today through the gap.

Mono Green Gable across Stone Cove.

The climb from Beck Head.

A panoramic view from Beck Head. Select on the image to see a larger version.

Pillar and Scoat Fell across Kirk Fell.

The climb from Beck Head was up iced over snow, so crampons were certainly required today.

Approaching Great Gable summit.

Great Gable summit with the FRCC memorial plaque central.

The sky to the south was quite eerie with the sun trying to burn through, here looking across to the Scafells.

Looking to the south east, there is a big inversion over towards Windermere with Ingleborough visible across the low cloud.

Casper has seen it all before and has 40 winks whilst Dougal seems to be enjoying the view.

The Langdale Pikes.

Wasdale from The Westmorland Cairn.

Casper living on the edge.

Great Hell Gate.

Ingleborough over Allen Crags.

Green Gable from the treacherous descent to Windy Gap.

Looking northwards from Windy Gap.

Great Gable from Green Gable.

A glimpse of Buttermere and Crummock Water from Green Gable.

Great End and the Scafells from Green Gable.

Styhead Tarn from Aaron Slack.

Great End reflected.

Styhead Tarn.

Frozen Styhead Tarn.

Casper on his throne.

Lingmell and Piers Gill.

The way back to Wasdale, looks like Casper and Dougal have spotted something down there.

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