Route: Kirk Fell
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 24th May 2013
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.6 miles
Ascent: 3,500 feet
I parked at Wasdale Head but it was pouring with rain and blowing a gale. The weather forecast indicated better weather later on so I decided to wait in the car and see if conditions improved
They did – temporarily – so off I went along the path leading up to Black Sail Pass. It’s a gentle ascent but sudden showers and gusting winds (and a hailstorm at one point) made it harder. It was cold and I had full winter gear on even though it’s almost June – the Scafells had a covering of snow in places!
At the top of the pass I veered off to climb up Kirkfell Crags to the summit. I must have missed the main path, since I found myself in a steep gully, but once committed to the route it was hard to turn back. A mistake, as the going got worse. It turned into a proper scramble up through loose rock with few handholds. Luckily the howling wind was blowing in my direction of travel and propelled me up the steep slope, along with large dose of adrenalin
The view from the top made it all worthwhile and having savoured it for a while I descended via Rib End (quite steep but a picnic after the ascent). There were glorious views of Wast Water all the way down and I was glad to have persevered. A grand adventure!
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The Screes, Wast Water, just before I parked the car. The weather looks pleasant but it was soon pouring with rain
After lingering in the car park for a while, I finally set off. Ahead is the Wasdale Inn and Kirk Fell
That must be the weatherman, who said that the wind would die down - it never did
Kirk Fell - there is a direct ascent as can be seen. It looks easy enough from here, but isn’t
Heading along Black Sail Pass and looking into Mosedale
Looking back along the Pass to Yewbarrow
At the top of the Black Sail Pass
On the left, High Crag (part of the High Stile Range), leading across to Haystacks, with Grasmoor in the distance
The gully. It got worse and I couldn’t take photos as it was all hands on deck - or rock
Looking back down the gully - sorry it’s out of focus, there was a gale force wind, or maybe I was shaking
On level ground at last, and near the summit of Kirk Fell, another view back to the High Stile Range and Grasmoor
This wonderful view of Wast Water makes it all worthwhile
The Scafells, with a covering of snow
Great Gable from the summit of Kirk Fell
Kirkfell Tarn looking towards the Scafells
Great Gable from the descent down Rib End - I shall be turning right near the tarn
This fantastic view accompanied me most of the way back down
The mountain scenery was spectacular whichever way I looked - this is looking left to the Scafells.....
...and right, back up to Kirk Fell. This is the chasm of Ill Gill
Looking back up along the descent route. The weather was improving, but it was stilll blowing a gale
Looking back to the Scafells again
Back to valley level and looking along Lingmell Beck to Wast Water
Shortly after leaving the car park, I looked back along Wast Water to Kirk Fell on the left - what a memorable walk it had been
