272 J^eslniclt ^fetrict. 



THE ASCENT OF SCAFELL. 



(Thirty miles ; — i8 of road and 12 of mountain-work. Ponies can 

 be taken as far as Esk Hause. ) 



The easiest way of ascending Scafell from Keswick is to 

 proceed, precisely as in the last excursion, as far as ^tg^ 

 fjeati ^arn,* from whence to ^ptinfeUnjDf ^Uarn there is a 

 distinct track, in a southerly direction, almost the whole 

 way, which, however, is not more than three-quarters of a 

 mile, and there is the streamlet, which connects the two 

 tarns, running close by as an additional guide. This stream- 

 let has to be crossed about midway between the two tarns, 

 and again at Sprinkling Tarn. The track almost imme- 

 diately leaves the tarn, in a south-easterly direction, and 

 aims for rounding the rocky crest of Great End. This 

 done, (half-a-mile) there must be a still further leaning to the 

 right, and the grassy slope ascended for about half a-mile 

 to Ssfe Pfeiause (2490 feet) where there is a grand prospect. 

 Now the course is almost due west for half-a-mile, in the 

 direction of ©r^at E.ttti, on reaching the rocky debris at the 

 foot of which, guiding stones will be found and a fairly- 



* There is a * short cut,' by which the distance is shortened about a 

 mile each way ; but, over that ground, the path is not so distinct and 

 practicable, and it is qnestionable whether the work would be done in 

 any less time unless by the most experienced cragsman. The deviation 

 from the above route is at Siockley Bridge. Instead of turning west- 

 ward there, the way is direct up the valley on the skirts of the hill on 

 the western side of the beck. This is continued for somewhat more 

 than a mile, when the rocky crests of Sprinkling Crags seem to bar 

 progress. Avoid this obstacle by crossing the beck before reaching 

 Ruddy Gill, and take to the better but still rough ground on the other 

 side. In a few hundred yards we come upon the Esk Hause track, 

 almost at right angles, immediately under the rocky mass of Great End, 

 and close to Sprinkling Tarn. 



