Fellwalking – Great Gable

“Great Gable is everbody’s favourite. The very name is a compelling magnet, the aspect of the mountain on all sides is challenging and its ascent a highlight in the itineraries of all active walkers in Lakeland.”

Wainwright’s Favourite Lakeland Mountains

We parked at Seathwaite, then took the path straight up Sourmilk Gill, rather hardwork so soon after breakfast, before following the path between Gillercomb and Base Brown, to ascend Green Gable and then Great Gable itself. The descent was down to Styhead Tarn and back along the Styhead Pass over Stockley bridge and back to Seathwaite.

My rating: A. A Lakeland classic.
Map: OL4 – The English Lakes: North Western area (1:25,000)
Wainwright’s guides: The Western Fells (50th Anniversary Edition): Book Seven (A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells)

Fellwalking – Blencathra

“Blencathra is a grand mountain standing aloof, independent, masculine, owing allegiance to no other, aware of its strategic importance as the cornerstone of Lakeland in the north-east, a sentinel charged with the duty of watching all who travel on the popular approach from Penrith”

Wainwright’s Favourite Lakeland Mountains

We approached Blencathra via Hall’s Fell, recommended by Wainwright as “positively the best way up Blencathra”. Parking at a small parking area north-west of Threlkeld, we took the public footpath north, and then turned east to meet the waterfall at the base of Hall’s fell. From this point – straight up the ridge! A great way to approach the fell tops, but not for nervous walkers. From Hallsfell Top we followed Scales Fell east and then looped back west to the base of Hall’s fell, dropping down the bridleway to join the old alignment of the A66, taking this into Threlkeld for a well deserved beer.

My rating: A. An exhilarating day’s walking, and highly recommended.
Map: OL5 – The English Lakes: North-Eastern area (1:25,000)
Wainwright’s guides: The Northern Fells (Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells): Book 5

Bushwalking – Mt. Feathertop (via Bungalow Spur)

A classic Victorian walk, on a beautiful but cold Easter Saturday 2006. The route taken was the most popular ascent – up and down the Bungalow Spur from Harrietville. At 1922m, Mt Feathertop is Victoria’s second highest mountain (the highest is Mt Bogong at 1986m), but the most Alpine like.

The weather held up almost until the summit; alas for the final ascent the clouds closed in and there was no view.

Walk date: April 15, 2006
Time/level: 1 day, moderate (allow 6-8 hours), approx 22km
Map: Bogong Alpine Area, Outdoor Leisure Map (1:50,000)
My rating: A. Despite the lack of a view from the summit, a great walk with the crisp, cold weather being a welcome change.

This pdf at the Parks Victoria website has good track notes for this walk.

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