Sunday February 16th

Grey Knotts, Green and Great Gables and Base Brown (with The Curmudgeons)

David was staying in Seatoller with Julian, Tim, Chas (the organiser), Greg and Andrew; we were joined by Mike and Andy. Chas had the list of  Wainwrights that he planned to do and made it clear that Great Gable wasn't one of them, having done it already. It was great that we could do the walk directly from the cottage where we were staying. The initial ascent wasn't too steep- a nice warm-up- and we all settled into our various paces.

Greg and Andy reaching the snowline

Andrew and Julian following at a sensible pace
Andrew and Julian- in case you missed them!

The snowline coincided more or less with the cloud base, so we didn't get much in the way of views.

More snow- fewer views

Vanity suggested that I took a birthday selfie.

Only a few better ways of spending a birthday!

Having got to the top of Grey Knotts, and Brandreth, we went on to Green Gable, where we had a discussion about whether to go on to Great Gable.

On the way to Green Gable

We were evenly divided, with Julian, Chas, Andy and Tim returning to base. Andrew, Greg, Mike and I went on to Great Gable via Windy Gap.

Mike, Greg and Andrew at the top of Great Gable.
Sunlight a bit misplaced

We skirted the top of Green Gable, saving ourselves a little ascent, and went on to the "spur" of Base Brown, returning to the col above Cillercomb and Sourmilk Gill. Initially, this was fine but the descent on the paved path beseide Sourmilk Gill became progressively more unpleasant, green and slippery. This was alleviated by the spectacular waterfall, augmented by the snow meltwater.

The final return to the cottage was a couple of kilometres along the flat Seathaite valley.

A walk of 9.8 miles with 1100m ascent- a great way of spending a birthday.



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