3o6 ;]©utterntere district 



away from the beck, the zig-zagging still continuing for a 

 third of a mile, when the summit of ^lack j^atl ]JPnm 

 is reached at an elevation of 1800 feet. 



Gatherstone Beck takes its rise just at the other side of 

 the ridge, and the track zig-zags near to it in the direction 

 of .Oiiosetiale " yi alleg, which latter we hope the traveller 

 sees below. In something less than a mile, the beck is to be 

 crossed to its eastern side, where, for a short distance, the 

 ground is steep. After this, a mile or so of comparatively level 

 valley brings us to the clump of houses forming the ham- 

 let of "^iZSTagttJale KeatJ. 



Several gentlemen have spent weeks together at Ritson's, 

 at the dale head, where there are clean beds, and farmhouse 

 fare in plenty and perfection. There is now a little inn 



the ascent of Scafell will be found at page 272, while further par- 

 ticulars about the descent are given further on. 



Those who do not wish to ascend the Gables can somewhat shorten 

 the way to Scafell by aiming for Beckhead Tarn, which is in the depres- 

 sion between Great Gable and Kirkfell. To make this intelligible, we 

 will suppose ourselves again at the S earth Gap crossing-place of the 

 Liza, with the sheep-fold on the opposite bank. The stream is not to 

 be crossed, — we continue along the north-eastern side of it, shortly 

 cross the branch called Loft Beck, and, in about three-quarters of a mile 

 from the sheep-fold, reach a point where there is another junction of 

 streams. JVow^the main stream must be forded, and our pedestrian 

 must follow the further branch which leads him almost due south. He 

 will avoid Kirkfell Crags on the right and aim for the depression be- 

 low them, when (in half a-mile) he will find Beckhead Tarn. From 

 hence the course is under the rocks of Great Gable at an elevation of 

 about 2000 feet. It is desirable to keep as near the rocks as is found 

 convenient, so as to reach the Styhead Pass path as high up as pos- 

 sible. Now we are on the slope of Lingmell and also on the general 

 route from Wastdale, by Peers Gill, to the summit of Scafell Pike, 

 which is fully described further on in this excursion. 



