The Western Fells form the southern wall of the Buttermere valley and the northern fence of Wasdale. Between the two lies Ennerdale so that in effect the group is the shape of a single horseshoe, each branch about 10 miles in length. At the head of Ennerdale stands Great Gable. The southern arc of the group travels due west from Great Gable, the main ridge consisting of Kirk Fell, Pillar, Scoat Fell, Haycock and Caw Fell.
With a full pack (and weeks worth of food) I had to walk from Wasdale Head to catch the bus the following day at Seatoller. Black Sail Pass was chosen as it would stay in the morning shade longer than Styhead. A traverse of the north side of Kirk Fell led to Moses Trod, thus minimising any further ascent, before dropping over between Brandreth and Green Gable into Gillercomb, and thence down to Seatoller.
