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Base Brown



Grid Reference: NY 22516 11461
Height: 646 metres/2419 feet

"being itself of striking appearance, gaunt, steep-sided, a pyramid of tumbled boulders and scree, a desert abandoned to nature."
A Wainwright

The summit of Base Brown is the culmination of the north eastern spur of Green Gable and part nof a popular route from Seathwaite, Borrowdale Climbing via Sty Head to Great Gable and then descending over Green Gable and Base Brown, but most do not climb the short distance to the summit, instead they follow the path descending into Gillercombe at the saddle before the summit is reached.

A pleasant summit with some good views over the Borrowdale Valley, a good scent is to climb alongside Sour Milk Gill, the magnificent series of waterfalls above Seathwaite, and from the top of the fells climbing the northernmost shoulder of Base Brown where a feint path winds around the crags and outcrops to the summit.

  1. Great Gable from Red Pike

    Great Gable from Seathwaite: Private Guiding

    Difficulty:
    Exposure:
    Distance: 10km / 6 miles
    Ascent: 900m / 2800ft
    Duration: 6 hours
    Maximum Group Ratio: 10:1

    A shorter walk but steep and rough underfoot at times, glorious views over Borrowdale, Wasdale and the Scafell range throughout

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  2. Wasdale and Wastwater from near the Westmorland Cairn on Great Gable

    Great Gable & the Northern Ridges: Private Guiding

    Difficulty:
    Exposure:
    Distance: 13km / 8 miles
    Ascent: 740m / 2500ft
    Duration: 7 hours
    Maximum Group Ratio: 10:1

    A great route taking in Great Gable and all the satellite tops to the north of Great Gable

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  3. Sphinx Rock and Wasdale

    The Great Gable Traverse: Private Guiding

    Difficulty:
    Exposure:
    Distance: 10km / 6 miles
    Ascent: 1100m / 3600ft
    Duration: 7 hours
    Maximum Group Ratio: 8:1

    Very rough underfoot at times with some scrambling, one of the best ways to see a great mountain

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  4. Crossing the boulders on Broad Crag with Scafell Pike behind

    Borrowdale 10 Challenge: Private Guiding

    Difficulty:
    Exposure:
    Distance: 21km / 13 miles
    Ascent: 1890m / 6200ft
    Duration: 11 hours
    Maximum Group Ratio: 10:1

    A challenging day over rough ground taking in several of the highest mountains in England

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  5. The Moon rising over the Lake District

    Great Gable Overnight Walk: Private Guiding

    Difficulty:
    Exposure:
    Distance: 10km / 6 miles
    Ascent: 900m / 2800 ft
    Duration: 6 hours
    Maximum Group Ratio: 8:1

    The chance to watch the sun rise over the Lake District from the summit of Great Gable

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