Route: leaving the car at the Gatesgarth Farm car park (£4 all day) and walking across the valley to the Scarth Gap path, descending to Black Sail Hut. Then up a surprisingly minor path to the top of Black Sail Pass and then a scrambly ascent of Kirk Fell (though happily for me no exposure). Descending on a rough scree path to Beck Head (where the tarns were dry) and then up a gently scrambly route onto Great Gable. Following cairns to descend to Windy Gap and then rather than descending further to join Moses Trod, ascending Green Gable and taking a diagonal to Moses Trod a little further on. On reaching Drum House, taking a minor undulating path up Fleetwith Pike and then descending slowly Fleetwith Edge to the car.
Conditions: good visibility, high cloud, occasional cold wind but also becoming stiller by the end of the day.
Pub: The Bridge Hotel, Buttermere, for Jennings Sneck Lifter and Tractor Shed Mowdy Pale Ale.
