Route: Leaving the car on Fellside, on the east edge of Threlkeld, and walking up the road past the little industrial estate, to take the track left (northwest) to Gategill Farm and carry on through the farmyard to the path beside the waterfall up to emerge from the trees and cross the beck. Following the clear path (and other walkers) up the steep heathery lower slopes to reach the rocky ridge. From there Alex bounding on ahead along the rocky crest, while the rest of us followed, largely on the rock but occasionally on paths to either side. There proceeding mainly by scrambling along the top, with occasional stretches to right or left of the crest. From the summit turning southwest to stride/run along the wide path over the summit of Gategill Fell and Knowe Crags and follow the rocky switchbacks down for about half a kilometre.
There turning off south on a much smaller, entirely empty path - the boys tobottoming down the grass for long stretches - and then turning left at a cross paths to contour round and down above Blease Farm, eventually joining the popular fell-base path above the intake walls of Blease Farm and Gategill Farm to rejoin the outward route.
(Meanwhile, Kathryn and Tim having squeezed the car into a crowded Braithwaite Village, walked north along the higher road behind Middle Ruddings to the footpath left at the end of the How. After a hand gate, heading uphill on a minor path, through another gate and to, and along, the ridge. Descending steeply to cross the Whinlatter Pass to the Buddhist bridge and thence to the Coledale to meet the others.)
Conditions: Almost unbroken hot sunshine but a fresh breeze along the summit ridge.
Pub: the Coledale Inn, Braithwaite, for Tractor Shed Kessin, Corby Blonde, lime & soda, ginger beer and Appletiser (and to meet Tim and Kathryn for lunch)
