Walkweb

“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 followed the route in the Lake District: Walks (Pathfinder Guide) book, starting from Seathwaite, then 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.
Maps: OL4 - The English Lakes: North Western area (1:25,000)
Wainwright’s guides: Book seven, The Western Fells

“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: Book five, The Northern Fells

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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I’ve been a keen bushwalker for 20 years. With the explosion in the number of blogs on the ‘net it seemed an apposite time to add my small contribution. This site is for all those who enjoy exploring the world on foot, and will concentrate on those areas I know well - currently the North East of Victoria in Australia and the Peak and Lake Districts in England.