Honister Pass to Gatesgarth (Buttermere)

via Great Gable 9miles 2500ft

I parked the car next to the Honister slate quarry and set off past these impressive slate sculptures 

     I was following the path direct to Green Gable which afforded views down to Buttermere & Crummock water

Ennerdale could just be seen to the far left

Buttermere & Crummock water again

Zooming in on Pillar Rock below Pillar fell summit, a favourite with rock climbers

The small dark fell in the foreground is Haystacks, Wainwright's favourite fell, his ashes are scattered in 'Innominate Tarn' which can just be seen beneath its summit to the left of the picture.

Soon Great Gable came into view from Green Gable summit, the path ahead can be seen to the left

Sty Head tarn from Windy Gap with Great End to the right

Looking down Aaron Slack from the path to Great Gable summit

 Reaching the summit plateau I felt the full force of the bitter cold north wind   

On the summit rocks 2949ft is this memorial plaque to the members of the 'rock & fell climbing club' who lost their lives in WWII

To the south west of the summit the fell drops almost vertically down through 'Great Hells Gate' ....

....and 'Westmorland Cairn' stands guard over Wasdale

After descending the fell my route took me past Warnscale Bothy....

....very basic inside but a potential life saver if caught out in severe weather

....and again

However it does have a 'Room with a View'

Fleetwith Pike behind Warnscale beck....

....crossing the beck on the last mile to Gatesgarth

Finally ice cream time at the little cabin cafe

Another exhilarating day's walking in the ever enjoyable Lakeland fells