Start: Forestry Commission Car Park at Ennerdale NY 10948 15317
Distance: 25k
Duration: 9 hours
Direction: ESE through Ennerdale forest, then E following public footpath to Haystacks, circling round Fleetwith Pike to bothy for lunch stop; descent NW to Buttermere, following bridlepath on W side; then bridlepath W to return to car.
Description: Mix of good and poor visibility but better than forecast and not too bad in terms of rain. Circuit from Buttermere including Hay Stacks and round to Fleetwith Pike, calling in to see the bothies on the way. Challenging navigation over Haystacks as thick cloud and light rain descended for 2 hours but then lifted. Tiring; took some extra rests and adjusted route round the easier pass below Gale fell to return to car park.
Area :
Western Fells
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.
