It was a quite drive from Keswick through Barrowdale to Seathwaite Farm .... mainly, I think, because the weather was terrible. Windy, low cloud base and pouring with rain. Well, I thought, I am not going to let the weather deter me, especially after a 6 hour drive form the south coast of England the day before.

Arrived at Seathwaite farm where there were two other cars. At least it would be quite on the Fells. I sat in the car in the hope the rain would ease before putting on my waterproofs and boots. Looking out to Sourmilk Gill I could see the torrent of white water gushing over the rocks.  The rain showed no sign of abating, so it was a quick visit to the toilet and dress for the days walk. I had planned a long route to-day so I didn’t want to waste too much time.
(photo:  Sourmilk Gill in full flow)

Once ready, I followed the path to the foot of the Sourmilk Gill and started the steep climb/scramble up to the valley area between Base Brown and Brandreth ridge. I had a couple of breaks on the way to the top of Sourmilk Gill, which gave me time for a couple of photographs.  Although the cloud base was low, Base Brown, Green Gable and Brandreth, my first visits, were clear of cloud. The path skirted below Base Brown, then up to the col between Base Brown and Green Gable.
(photos: Top, looking down to Sourmilk Gill to Seathwaite Farm.  Bottom, Glaramara and Allen Crags under cloud)

Turned left and proceeded to Base Brown. (The path is not easy to follow, compass work would be required in poor visibility)   I retraced my route to the col and followed the path up towards Green Gable.  After a short climb I arrived at a path junction that went left to Green Gable and right to Brandreth. I turned right and headed for Brandreth. Within a few minutes the visibility dropped and a couple of ‘flurries’ of snow fell.  Brilliant, I thought but, ...... it was only a couple of flakes then gone.
(photo:  Looking north from Base Brown)

The route descend over rocky ground to Gillercomb Head. Good view below the cloud base along to Ennerdale.  Continued with a short climbed to arrive at the cairn of Brandreth. Not an easy path to follow over the rocks, so the compass was always at the ready.  Had a quick drink, then retraced my route back to Green Gable. Clouds were still low, though more breaks were beginning to appear. Not much blue sky but ‘thinner’ clouds. Kirk Fell started to clear so I dropped down to Windy Gap and headed for the col between Great Gable and Kirk Fell.
(photos:  Top, View under the clouds down to Ennerdale.  Bottom, Great Gable from Green Gable)

 A loose gravel path leads down from Windy Gap. Once at the bottom, turned left and headed over grass and rocks to join the path around Great Gable to Beckhead Tarn and the foot of Kirk Fell.  I set of up the steep rocky path to Kirk Fell. The path wasn’t particularly clear at the flat top, although compass and an old iron fence posts lead the way to Kirk Fell. A couple of small tarns were used as ‘confidence checking’ on the way. A ‘wind-break’ shelter at the top provided a resting place for coffee and a sandwich.
(photos:  Bottom, view to the col between Great Gable and Kirk Fell.  Top, Wass Water.)

After my break I returned to Beckhead Tarn .... in low cloud and an hailstone shower. A bit of navigation required to get me back on the path leading up to Windy Gap. The clouds had lifted to the East by the time I reached Windy Gap, providing a splendid view of Styhead Tarn and Seathwaite Fell.  From Windy Gap I followed the path to Styhead Tarn, up to the start of the Corridor Route and on to Sprinkling Tarn.  Below Great End I turned down Grains Gill and started the long descent to Seathwaite. It was hard work on the constructed footpath as the legs were a little weary after 6 hours waking.
(photo:  Styhead Tarn from Windy Gap)

Eventually arrived at Stockley Bridge and followed the track back to the farm. Had to negotiate an hungry flock of sheep that were being fed by a shepherd.  The final chapter of the walk was a short ‘down-pour’ producing fine rainbow over Barrowdale. (Didn’t find the pot of gold though!)
(photo:  Stockley Bridge)

(photos:  Left, rainbow over Borrowdale.  Right, hungry sheep!)