Gibson Knott

Gibson Knott is a rugged, undulating ridge-top fell that connects the famous Helm Crag to Calf Crag. Hiking here involves navigating a series of rocky 'hummocks' that offer superb, close-up views of the Far Easedale valley and the surrounding high Central Fells.

• •Alfred Wainwright famously identified a specific viewpoint on the approach from Helm Crag known as 'The Moment,' where the ridge ahead and the summit of Gibson Knott are suddenly revealed in an impressively rugged profile.
• •The fell is composed of the Birker Fell Andesite Formation, showcasing the 'hummocky' terrain typical of glacial scouring on hard volcanic rock.
• •The name uses the Cumbrian term 'Knott,' derived from the Old Norse 'knútr,' which specifically refers to a small, rocky hill or a craggy mound.
• •The ridge serves as a vital drainage divide between the Greenburn and Far Easedale valleys, with several small, seasonal rock pools providing habitats for local dragonflies.
• •While the rocky spine looks solid, the path frequently dissolves into the 'Great Bog of Far Easedale,' a place where many a hiker has learned that 'waterproof' is merely a suggestion rather than a guarantee.