Base Brown
646m (2120ft)
The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 6ml (9.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,845ft (867m) |
| Time: | 5 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Seathwaite (Borrowdale) - Stockley Bridge - Styhead Tarn - Sty Head - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Windy Gap - Green Gable - Mitchell Cove - Blackmoor Pols - Base Brown - Gillercomb - Sour Milk Gill (Borrowdale) - Seathwaite (Borrowdale)
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 9ml (14.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,965ft (1,208m) |
| Time: | 7½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Grey Knotts - Brandreth - Blackmoor Pols - Base Brown - Mitchell Cove - Green Gable - Windy Gap - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Moses' Trod - Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk - Honister Pass
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Base Brown
James Hughes walked up on August 10th, 2025 [from/via/route] c417 Base Brown, Great Gable & Kirk Fell from Honister [weather] Warmish, sometimes overcast, sometimes sunny. - Stomp up to Grey Knotts from Honister - didn't feel too bad as started at decent height. Easy yomp over to Brandreth before hitting the path to descend to Base Brown. Good views then steepish ascent back to Green Gable. Good vista of Great Gable & Moses Trod below. Hard trek up Great Gable on rocky terrain. Topped & then overshot after the memorial to return to path down to Kirk Fell. Took one of the false boulder paths cited by Wainwright which ended in scree Sunday. The error of my ways became more apparent looking back as the scree looks quite severe. Had actually ascended Great Gable before from Kirk Fell col which was easier, although easy to understand how it would be hard in the mist. Another there & back on Kirk Fell - big flat top. Return via Moses Trod back to tramway track. Pint of Wainwright Amber Ale at Borrowdale Hotel. Average.
Tim Winn climbed it on October 27th, 2024 [from/via/route] Honister Slate Mine [with] Barry, Paul and Roger [weather] Dry.
Angeline Grieveson bagged it on October 5th, 2024 [with] Rick & Dotty
Geoff Hand hiked it on September 3rd, 2024 [from/via/route] Walk C417 Great Gable & Kirk Fell from Honister. Set off from Honister & climbed Grey Knotts, from there onto Glamara. We then climbed towards Green Gable but went South to pick up Brown Base. We retraced our steps, climbed green gable & onto Gt Gable. Leaving Gt Gable in cloud we found the path down to Beck Head. When reached there the clound had lifted off Kirk fell so we went for it. Came back by Moses's trod & the dismantled tramway to Honister. [with] Tess, my Jack Russell [weather] Started off quite sunny, however cloud moved in & covered Gt Gable. A bit drisly towards the end. - A really tough walk, one I would think twice about in the future. Very pleased with my navigation of Gt Gable as it was spot on! According to my garmin I didn't quite hit the top of Grey Knots & Brandreth. I find this incredible as I did a lot of tramping around to make sure I hit the tops today. So I'm claiming them anyway. NB I've also done them both before.
Simon Myerscough summited on November 27th, 2023 [from/via/route] From Seathwaite dry to start then progressively colder & misty - some snoe above 2000ft. [with] Joanne [weather] Light winds & dull all day - Scramble coming down Sourmilk Ghyll was challenging but made it after change of line
Christine Shepherd conquered it on June 18th, 2010 [from/via/route] Walked from Seathwaite [with] Jenny [weather] Sunny - This was the first peak of a great day's walking. Climbed this as an extra on 30.11.19 as it was bathed in beautiful Autumn sunshine. Unfortunately it meant I had to walk back to Honister in the dark. Climbed for a third time on 8.6.23 using walk c417, in gorgeous sunshine with a pleasant breeze.
Richard Fulcher scaled on April 3rd, 2023 [from/via/route] Parked in the NT car park at Honister Slate Mine & walked up the steep path to Grey Knotts. We then traversed over the rock strewn ridge to Brandreth & across Gillercomb Head to Green Gable. Just before reaching the top of GG I diverted left down the fell & across to Base Brown. I then returned by the same route & we carried on up to the summit of GG after having some lunch. After a slippery descent from GG to Windy Gap we then started the rocky ascent to Great Gable. We returned to WG by the same route & then descended down another scree strewn path to join the Moses Trod path before branching off towards the dismantled tramway at Honister. The rocky paths continued pretty much all the way back. [with] Jen [weather] Sunny, blue skies, cold at times when in exposed sections, very good visibility. - Be prepared for some climbing over rocks in certain stretches esp. up Great Gable.
John Tippins walked up on July 11th, 2022 [from/via/route] From Honister [with] With Afia and Farah [weather] Dry, sunny & warm; a little wind chill on top.
Paul Macey climbed it on June 6th, 2022 [from/via/route] C417 in reverse [with] Luke [weather] Cloudy but cloud above summits
Ian Ashton bagged it on September 4th, 2021 [from/via/route] Seathwaite & corridor route down [with] Solo
Michael Austin hiked it on June 17th, 2021 [from/via/route] C417
Christina Lander summited on June 6th, 2021 [from/via/route] Seathwaite - Base Brown - Seathwaite Fell - Allen Crags - Seathwaite [with] Dick [weather] Cloudy at times but mostly sunny - During our holiday staying at Station House, Troutbeck, Penrith
Kevin Foster conquered it on May 14th, 2021 [from/via/route] Honister Pass (slate mine) [with] By myself. [weather] Low clouds down on tops gradually lifting - I will have to do these summits again on a clearer day. Weather forecast said some clouds!
Andy Buxton scaled on June 22nd, 1980 [from/via/route] From Seathwaite, via Climbers' Traverse & Great Hell Gate; return over Green Gable & Base Brown [with] Ian Wright [weather] Hot
Richard Marshall walked up on May 31st, 2020 [from/via/route] Great Gable from Seathwaite [with] Bo and Andy Pratt [weather] Sunny low wind & very hot. Middle of Pandemic
Andrew Johnson climbed it on November 8th, 2019 [from/via/route] Honister [with] Ted [weather] Cloudy
Richard Marchant bagged it on August 3rd, 1991 [from/via/route] Parked the car at Seathwaite & then went up Seathwaite Slabs on to Base Brown to Green Gable up to Great Gable down to Sty Head & followed Sty Head Gill back down to Seathwaite. [with] Nick Harker [weather] A fine day with a slight breeze & partially cloudy with out breaks of sunshine - A day out in the Lakes with my Best Man & old Navy pal Nick Harker. Just another great memory of past Lakeland trips.
Tony Rogerson hiked it on February 20th, 2018 [from/via/route] Seathwaite Gillercombe Base Brown Gillercombe Head Brandreth Grey Knotts [with] Floss [weather] Sunny
John Almond summited on September 17th, 2017 [from/via/route] go4awalk c417 from Honister Slate Mine - Grey Knotts - Brandreth - BASE BROWN - Green Gable - Great Gable - Kirk Fell - Wainwright 118 [with] Solo [weather] Good, improving throughout the day. Light cloud on summit of Great Gable. - Horrible direct descent from Great Gable via scree/boulder field to Beck Head Tarn, not recommended! Probably better to descend via NW ridge to Beck Head as described in go4awalk walk c417 route description
John Walter conquered it on June 17th, 2017 [with] Tricia [weather] Warm
Lydia Hopkinson scaled on June 9th, 2012 [with] walking group [weather] beautiful & sunny
David Wand walked up on August 10th, 2011 [with] Long walk and camp on the hills.
Chris Sheard climbed it on October 14th, 2004 [from/via/route] Across from Brandreth [with] George & Baz [weather] Horrid wet windy misty Yuk! - Best part was return to black sail
Mark Davidson has bagged it [with] Jan [weather] Good
Anthony Scott hiked it on October 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Honister Hause [with] me [weather] Very sunny
Nick Dobson summited on September 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Green Gable [with] Margaret & Ralph [weather] Warm, sunny & some clouds about. - 3rd tick of the day after Great & Green Gable then return to Seathwaite
Caroline Winter conquered it on August 14th, 2016 [from/via/route] Sour milk Gill scramble, Gillercomb, Base Brown, Green Gable, Windy Gap, Great Gable, Sty Head Tarn [with] Andy and Becky [weather] Mist at 600m lifting at 10.00hrs. Light breeze, warm & humid - Scrambled first section of waterfall-Becky very confident & sure footed. Squelchy walk to Base Brown. Views VG & Scarfell Pike, Kirk Fell & Brandreth visible.
Nicola Parkinson scaled on May 7th, 2016 [from/via/route] c118 Great Gable from Seathwaite [with] Stu [weather] Sunshine & cloud
Chris Bramley has walked up [from/via/route] Sty head farm [with] jacqui Blake janet [weather] sunny - as green gable
Elaine Evans climbed it on April 22nd, 2016 [from/via/route] From Seathwaite, via Gillercomb to Base Brown then on to Green Gable & Great Gable [with] Sue and Christine [weather] Beautiful sunny day with a cool breeze. - Beautiful day! It's been many months since we've had such perfect walking conditions.
Victoria Bates bagged it on February 24th, 2016 [from/via/route] C417 [with] Mark [weather] Clear, snow showers, clear
Joanne Mcgawley hiked it on August 6th, 2015 [with] Rich [weather] Rain, Cloud & Sun - 9.7 miles
Dave Eyes summited on July 13th, 2015 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head, Stylhead tarn [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Cloudy some rain
Clive Ward conquered it on June 19th, 2015 [from/via/route] Seatoller, Glaramara, Seathwaite, Green Gable. See Glaramara for route [with] Ian, Conrad
David Noble scaled on May 9th, 2015 [from/via/route] Styhead Gill [with] Lakes Mega Meet [weather] Overcast & drizzle
Derek Parkin walked up on April 17th, 2015 [from/via/route] honnister slate mine [with] Lynn Parkin
Charlie Housley climbed it on March 19th, 2015 [from/via/route] As per Base Brown 6 in his Western Fells guide book. [with] Solo. [weather] Fantastic spring weather for walking.
Kevin Parnham bagged it on December 30th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Honister Pass via Brandreth [with] Jo [weather] Cold & windy & intermittent cloud - Good views down Borrowdale from the summit
Phillip Bulley hiked it on September 8th, 2014 [from/via/route] Seathwaite Farm [with] Judith and Toby [weather] Sunny
Keith Eastman summited on June 14th, 2014 [from/via/route] c417
Raymond Barnett conquered it on December 26th, 2013 [from/via/route] seathwaite farm [with] self [weather] dry sunny
Wayne Baxter scaled on August 25th, 2013 [from/via/route] Seatoller, Honister hause, Grey Knotts, Brandreth, green Cable, Base Brown & Seatoller [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy & warm
Ann Davis walked up on July 5th, 2013 [from/via/route] from seathwaite via great gable, green gable [with] andy [weather] warm misty
Harry Meijer climbed it on May 6th, 2013 [from/via/route] Great Gable from Seathwaite Farm [with] The Lake District Walker
Dale Verrall bagged it on March 14th, 2011 [from/via/route] Honister Pass - Walk number C417 [with] Amber [weather] Blue skies
Darren Mortimer hiked it on November 18th, 2012 [from/via/route] Seatwaite [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] Cold frosty with snow on the high ground
Iain Taylor summited on May 15th, 2011 [from/via/route] Seathwaite (NY 23591 12285)
Mr Davison conquered it during August, 2011 [from/via/route] seatoller [with] celene davison & jenny davison [weather] sunny
Christine Knowles scaled on May 22nd, 2012 [from/via/route] From Seatoller via Seathwaite on way to Great Gable [with] Graham [weather] Very hot
Tony Aspden walked up on August 8th, 2006 [with] Andy [weather] Sunny
Jayne Phelps climbed it on March 3rd, 2011 [from/via/route] Seathwaite
Matthew Thomas, Patrick Rogozinski, Melanie Dunn, Jenny Godfrey, Clare Houlihan, David Hallam, Wendy Sockett, Jane Wilkinson, Angela Moroney, Daniel Wynn, Louise Sandwith, Michael Nolan, Tracey Cowell, David Watson, Jonathan Tobin, Andrew Martin, Paul Kendell, Jo Dixon, David Shaw, Amanda Hinds, Claire Rigg, Elaine Grayson, Carl Abbott, James Munroe, Louis Smith, Simon Duerden, Colin Egan, Phil Clark, Sarah Lowe, Ian Simpson, Paul Booth, Jeanette Coward, Linda Mckeogh, Tracey Cordes, Trevor Williams, Paul Henderson, John Cuthbert, Patrick Buckland, Stephen Millington, Chris Bede, Rob Barklamb, Pete Howes, Jacqui Smith and Ray O'hara have all walked, climbed & bagged Base Brown.To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Base Brown
360 degree panorama featuring Great Gable, Green Gable, Little Scoat Fell & Pillar (distance), Brandreth, Dale Head (Newlands), High Spy, Glaramara, Esk Pike, Great End and Scafell Pike from Base Brown
Little Scoat Fell and Pillar (distance) with Brandreth (foreground) from Base Brown
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