| Name of walk | Base Brown, Green Gable, Brandreth and Grey Knotts from Seathwaite |
| Date of walk | 2010-05-10 |
| Distance walked (miles) | 6 |
| Duration of walk | 5 hours 0 minutes |
| Weather | overcast |
| Peaks on walk | Base Brown, Green Gable, Brandreth and Grey Knotts |
| Walked with | Ged and blind Kas |
| Parking | Roadside Seathwaite |
On Monday Ged, Kas and I went to Seathwaite to climb Base Brown (2120ft), Green Gable (2603ft), Brandreth (2344ft) and Grey Knotts (2287ft). The last time we did this was in mist so we missed all the views. This time we did the route in reverse as the route down Sour Milk Gill was awkward and slippery and would be much easier in ascent. The route was about 6 miles.
We were in the middle of a cold spell and the hills were topped with snow again. Skiddaw seen from the shores of Derwent Water.
Some cute and friendly ducklings, not bothered by me at all.
They would not keep still for a second!
We finally dragged ourselves away from the ducklings and drove to Seathwaite. From the farm we crossed the river and headed for Sour Milk Gill. Stiles are not dog friendly, especially not to blind dogs!
Not much water coming down the gill.
The awkward section that was very wet and slippery last time, but dry today.
If Kas can do it so can we!
I decided on the direct route via the Hanging Stone which would save some "there and back" time, plus you get some good views down Borrowdale, and of the farm. Snow on the Helvellyn range and on Blencathra.
The Hanging Stone.
We skirted the crags and worked our way up the grassy areas to the summit of Base Brown.
Looking up to Green Gable with Great Gable behind.
Looking down into Gillercomb with Grey Knotts to the left and Base Brown on the right.
The route over to Great Gable from Green Gable summit. If the weather had been better we would have done this too, but we had only just done it in March in the snow and ice, so we decided to save an hour of walking and continue on to Brandreth.
The Ennerdale Valley with Buttermere and Crummock Water on the right.
Kirk Fell with Pillar, Scoat Fell and Red Pike behind.
A closer view of Ennerdale.
We headed off for Brandreth. View down into Gillercomb. The snow on Skiddaw and Blencathra has now gone.
Climbing up to Brandreth. We stopped for lunch by a small tarn. There were flakes of snow in the air.
View down the Buttermere Valley.
From Brandreth summit you can see down both valleys.
From Grey Knotts summit looking back over Base Brown to Allen Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike, Great End and Scafell Pike.
Ged taking his time on the summit.
We headed down to Seatoller Fell in order to pick up the wall stile back to Seathwaite. Looking back to the circuit of Base Brown, Green Gable, Brandreth and Raven Crag on Grey Knotts.
Close up of Base Brown. Our route up was on the left of the crags.
Heading for the wall stile on the bottom right. A good view of the Grains Gill Valley. The way down to Seathwaite is very steep, but on grass and so a lot easier on the knees!
We made a detour to the mine. Ged is standing on the edge of the shaft which drops down diagonally to the right.
Kas waiting patiently for our return.
A memorial stone to John Bankes Esquire 1752. Looking a bit worse for wear.
A kid`s climbing group on the Seathwaite slabs. They were there on our way up too!
