■ySFasttjale* 309 



rewarded not only with a good view of the falls (which in- 

 deed can be seen even better from below) but with a fine 

 sight of all the Wastdale amphitheatre. Descending to the 

 junction of the streams where we crossed before, if it be 

 tolerably dry weather, we clamber up the bed of Peers Gill, 

 hemmed in by the grandest natural wall on either side, and 

 by the terrible precipices of Scafell immediately in front : 

 behind. Great Gable closes the scene with its stupendous 

 pyramid. This is by far the finest ravine in the Lake 

 Country for real grandeur : the few mountain ashes and 

 hardy trees which fringe the rocks, only serving by contrast 

 to heighten the prevailing ruggedness. An enormous rock 

 forming a natural archway through which the stream runs so 

 as to make farther research impossible, concludes our navi- 

 gation. A more extended view still may be obtained by 

 ascending the right bank of Peers Gill and going as far as 

 eyes unaccustomed to precipices will permit us. 



There is also a grand walk along the summit of the ^cteeg 

 on the south-eastern side of the lake. The ridge is reached 

 by the Burnmoor Tarn path, (page 145) until getting behind 

 the hill and then climbing the green slope on the right. 

 The descent might be at the other end, and so fall into our 

 route to Calder. 



^Kirfefell, which stands backward, between Yewbarrow 

 and Great Gable, was very tempting to a tourist who ex- 

 plored this neighbourhood some years ago ; and he set out 

 to get to Buttermere by Black Sail and Scarth Gap. After 

 hours of walking, he struck into the hollow between Kirk- 

 fell and Great Gable ; and when he arrived within sight of 

 a lake at night, he was confounded to find it still Wastwater. 

 He had walked completely round the mountain, instead of 



