Kirk Fell to Pillar

Deciding against the direct route up Kirk Fell we skirted round and climbed up Gable Beck. The top section of that is loose rock and still quite steep. If I go again I'll go straight up to see if the extra time and distance balances out the unremitting slog of going the direct route. For the moment the only advantage I can see to going the long way round is it makes a love heart shape in your route. Going up Rib End did not present too much difficulty, nor did the amble across to the top of Kirk Fell. The sunshine was nice but the rocks were cold and slippy so our chosen descent down 'Red Gully' was slippery, wet, red and cold. It is, thankfully, only a short section of dire unpleasantness. Then the tramp out to Pillar is a walk on top of the world experience looking down on all the other fells. The path that cuts down South West from Looking Steads sits it what seems a natural ledge and is much wider and easy under foot than I expected.

We stayed at Irton Hall and can recommend it good food and accommodation and dog friendly at no extra cost

'Ants' on the direct route up Kirk Fell.

Great Gable Showing Napes Needle and Great Hell Gate

Crossing to Rib End

Looking back to Great Gable

The view from Pillar shoulder

The Top Top of Pillar

Bonus photo of the dog

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