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.
Set off from Wasdale head and past Burnthwaite and ascended Great Gable via Gavel Nease and through "Little Hells Gate" with very little vis, we walked on a bearing to the summit, where because of 60 mile an hour winds, we decided not to stay very long, and descended down to Aron Slack, and then decided to cut route short because of weather. We headed to The Black Sail hostel for shelter, and then after food and a warm drink, we headed over the Black Sail Pass down to the next valley, where we pitched the tents and spent the night.
