The Southern Fells Include Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, occupy a broad area to the south of Great Langdale, Borrowdale and Wasdale. High and rocky towards the centre of the Lake District, the Southern Fells progressively take on a moorland character toward the south west. In the south east are the well known Furness Fells, their heavily quarried flanks rising above Coniston Water.
ROUTE: Walked-in from Seathwaite late afternoon Day 1 via Stockley Bridge path and Styhead Gill. Camped on the lovely little secluded bench below Great Stack - as used for the Mountainsense training course a few months previously - but with the temperature about 24 degrees C warmer! Day 2: Left tent site around 8.50 after breakfast in the sun. Down to the stretcher box, picked up the Climber's Traverse path heading for the Sphinx Ridge scramble. This was my first time in the area and I had some trouble following the line of the traverse, moving up and down the slope searching for the most-used line. Before I knew it we had passed below Nape's Needle and could see the Sphinx up ahead! A quick look back confirmed the awesome presence of The Needle and we headed up the horribly loose gully which led to the base of Sphinx ridge. I led up a series of little rock steps, bringing Marion up each time, and we were soon at the grassy shoulder where the main Napes ridges converge. From here we took the easy line to Great Gable summit avoiding Westmorland Crag. Descended via Aaron Slack and back to the tent before a brew and walking out...
