Topography
The Western Fells form the southern wall of the Buttermere valley and the northern fence of Wasdale. Between the two lies Ennerdale so that in effect the group is the shape of a single horseshoe, each branch about 10 miles in length.
At the head of Ennerdale stands Great Gable, the highest of the Western Fells at 2,949 ft. More commonly thought of as a Wasdale Fell, its profile from that valley gives it its name. The southern arc of the group travels due west from Great Gable, the main ridge consisting of Kirk Fell, Pillar (named for its great out-thrust of rock), Scoat Fell, Haycock and Caw Fell. A number of outliers line the side valleys of Wasdale, namely Yewbarrow, Red Pike (Wasdale), Seatallan, Middle Fell and Buckbarrow. Beyond Caw Fell is the lower Lank Rigg group, consisting of Lank Rigg, Crag Fell and Grike.
The northern arc begins with Great Gable's lesser sibling, Green Gable, and Brandreth, before turning north west above the shore of Buttermere. First comes Haystacks, Wainwright's favourite fell and the resting place of his ashes. Next are High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike (Buttermere), the three fells of Buttermere Edge. These are connected by narrow soaring ridges and shelter dark coombes from the sunlight. The wild and rocky character of the range then gradually diminishes with Starling Dodd and Great Borne, before crossing the pedestrian Floutern Pass to the Loweswater Fells. These are Mellbreak, brooding darkly above Crummock Water, Hen Comb, Gavel Fell, Blake Fell and Burnbank Fell. The final extremity of the northern arc curves around the head of Loweswater to Low Fell and Fellbarrow. The satellites of the main ridge, Base Brown, Grey Knotts and Fleetwith Pike, centre upon Brandreth.
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