Sensational scrambling best saved for a hot, dry summer's day.
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New
OUTDOORSmagic Routes System
On The Site Now!
Distance A mouse click away!
Approx time Just seconds.
Difficulty Idiot proof
Description Map your own routes and either share them
or store them, check out other OMers' routes complete with
GPS data and a real Ordnance Survey map.
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Kirkfell Gill - Lake
District
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Grade: 2
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A superb high grade scramble easily
accessible from both Wasdale and Buttermere, but one best
saved for dry, summer conditions.
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Equipment: Ropes and protection
required.
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Online Map link
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Views: 3
Technicality: 4
Exposure: 3
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GIBBER FACTOR* 3
*out of
five.
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Overview An often seen, but rarely visited, scramble best left
for the summer and a long period of dry weather, but when in
condition a superb high grade scramble easily accessible from both
Wasdale and Buttermere.
Some sections push the boundaries of scrambling, with short but
avoidable sections of V.Diff grade climbing.
On Kirkfell - by Cath
Sullivan
Approach From Wasdale make your way up to Black Sail Pass
where paths form a major junction. Ignore the main paths but turn
south east on a faint track leading to Sail Beck. From Ennerdale and
Buttermere you can join the beck slightly lower down, on the ascent
to Black Sail.
Kirkfell from Dore Head - Bob
C
Route The route follows the water course of Sail Beck as far
as is practical, so the exact route will depend on water levels.
Starting off up the ravine, the going is initially easy untilyou
reach the first of several cascades and waterfalls. The left wall of
the cascade provides a way ahead with an ascending traverse to the
head of the cascade and the foot of a bigger waterfall.
Bypass this fall to the left, then return to the bed of the beck
and continue upwards to a pool and the next cascade. Again the left
hand side provides the way ahead, with a large shelf.
Cracking views towards Great Gable - Mycroft
Now move right to cross the foot of the waterfall and take it
directly, using good holds in the stream itself. Once past the
obvious chockstone you reach easier ground and a respite from the
exposure of taking on waterfalls directly.
Before long you reach a further cascade, where there's no option
but to leave the beck and rejoin above the cascade. The remainder of
the ascent is straightforward, with isolated difficulties that can be
easily stepped around or taken on to add to the overall experience.
The ravine eventually peters out as it approaches the plateau of
Kirk Fell with the summit slightly to the left.
Descent There are numerous options for descent from Kirk Fell,
depending on your next objective. With Great Gable to one side,
Pillar to the other and the three valleys of Wasdale, Ennerdale and
Buttermere you have the options of both ridge walks and simple
descent to the valleys on well worn and marked paths.
Caution Scrambling is potentially
dangerous and, particularly at the higher grades, requires technical
skills and equipment to minimise the risk. We suggest that you take
professional instruction or climb with an experienced
partner.
|
|
New
OUTDOORSmagic Routes System
On The Site Now!
Distance A mouse click away!
Approx time Just seconds.
Difficulty Idiot proof
Description Map your own routes and either share them
or store them, check out other OMers' routes complete with
GPS data and a real Ordnance Survey map.
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