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Kirk Fell

English/Welsh
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
802 m (2631 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NY19481050
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
n/a
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Church Hill
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  89   West Cumbria, Cockermouth & Wast Water
  90   Penrith & Keswick, Ambleside
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Kirk Fell (2500ft+) , in the Lake District (England), is a dome-shaped mountain with very steep sides and a gently rounded summit with twin tops 400m apart. Its ascent is frequently combined with its neighbour Great Gable . The highest (SW) top is separated from the NE top (787m) by a col (751m) on which lies the small Kirkfell Tarn.

To the E of the NE top the Rib End ridge (which involves scrambling) descends to Beck Head (621m), being the col with Great Gable. A good path down to Wasdale from a short distance E of Beck Head (‘Moses Trod’) descends across the W slopes of Great Gable some distance above Gable Beck. From the SW top a gentle broad ridge runs NNW 700m then descends steeply to Blacksail Pass (544m), the col with Pillar ; and this section also entails scrambling.

There is a track which ascends the S slopes directly from Wasdale without scrambling, but this is a long continuously steep plug up scree with nothing to recommend it as ascent route. Kirk Fell is therefore best climbed from Wasdale by a longer route traversing from Black Sail Pass to Beck Head, a route which is safe in mist as the remains of an old fence are followed for the entire traverse.

Hazards you may encounter on Kirk Fell include
 High Plateau, summit may be difficult to locate.
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
A special thank you to David S Brown for his work on this and all of the England/Wales information.
Picture Gallery for Kirk Fell

Kirk Fell seen across Ennerdale, taken from Seat (E end of the High Stile group).

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

The twin tops of Kirk Fell, with Great Gable beyond on the left, seen across Black Sail Pass. Taken from Looking Stead, part-way up Pillar.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Kirk Fell from the SSE, taken from Symonds Knott on Sca Fell. The lower and nearer top in line in this view is Lingmell.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Kirk Fell (left), with Great Gable beyond, seen from the approach road in Wasdale.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
View All 5 Images for Kirk Fell

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Cumbrian Fells
by MWIS (PDF format) 		Lake District
by Met Office 		Scafell Pike
by Metcheck
Kirk Fell Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
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sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Kirk Fell.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Kirk Fell
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 980 m 11.65 km 4.5 hrs Great Gable and Kirk Fell  A circular route from Wasdale mostly on good paths, involving minor scrambling on and off both mountains. Either may be done singly using the Moses Trod path between Wasdale and Beck Head col.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Kirk Fell

  Baggers Gallery for Kirk Fell

Me at the summit of Kirk Fell, 13th February 2008. Great Gable behind.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
 
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