Gable Traverse, Great Napes and Great Gable from Wasdale Head

I was staying in the Lake District for four days on a late summer walking break and had chosen four walks to some of my favourite Lakeland mountains using routes I had never walked before. Foremost in my mind was a return to Great Gable. On previous ascents, I had enviously looked down from the summit to the Great Napes, wishing I had explored them at close quarters. This time, I resolved to do so.

Driving into Wasdale in the early afternoon on a gorgeous September day, the sunshine beat down across Wast Water. Stopping to look along the length of the lake toward the highest mountains in England, Great Gable rose in the centre with fluffy white clouds kissing its summit cap—a picture of perfection that filled me with joy.

Walking down the walled lane from the car park past Burnthwaite toward the Moses Trod path, I spotted the Napes, White Napes, and the intimidating Little Hell Gate scree slope. Crossing the footbridge over Gable Beck, I headed east toward Sty Head.

After crossing Gable Beck, the path narrowed past Bursting Knott and Toad How. Soon, Sty Head Tarn shimmered below in the sunlight. Reaching Sty Head, I found the start of the Gable Traverse heading north-west.

Following the Gable Traverse is not straightforward—it's less of a fixed path and more of a course meandering across boulder fields, scree slopes, and fixed rock outcrops where the terrain falls steeply away.

Navigating the boulder fields and hopping across rock steps like a river crossing required constant micro-decisions. Meeting two descending walkers provided mutual encouragement and confirmation of the route ahead.

Crossing a substantial scree slope near Little Hell Gate, I entered the domain of the Napes. Though I searched for Napes Needle amongst the various rock pillars (and climbed one that offered a grand view of Wast Water), I never did spot the famous needle itself!

Climbing Little Hell Gate lived up to its name—a grueling, sweaty scramble up loose scree where hands frequently went to the ground to prevent sliding back down. Upon completing the climb, the view across the Lingmell gap toward Scafell Pike provided ample reward.

Following the path around Westmorland Crags led me directly to the summit cairn of Great Gable.

At the summit, I paid respects to the Fell and Rock Climbing Club Memorial commemorating those who lost their lives in the Great War. Sitting down for refreshments while clouds swept past, I enjoyed magnificent panoramas of the Langdale Pikes, Bowfell, Great End, and the Scafells.

Descending via the north face toward Beck Head proved every bit as steep and loose as Wainwright warned, requiring careful foot placement on sliding scree.

Turning south-west from Beck Head along Gable Beck, the natural funnel of the valley framed Wasdale Head and Wast Water ahead. After cooling my burning heels in the flask water by the footbridge on Moses Trod path, I strolled back to the car park. A thrilling, unforgettable mountain day!