312 '^utitxmzxt ^fetttct, 



there occurs the only piece of climbing to be achieved in the 

 ascent : it is only about ten yards, and is not of a character 

 to try even very weak nerves. The ascent by the left bank 

 of Piers Gill is just possible ; but the feat of crossing Strait 

 Gill is one which demands a practised cragsman — which, 

 of course, means that I never attempted it myself and never 

 mean to do so. Up to that point there is no difficulty, but 

 the fact of being close to a sheer precipice of a height vary- 

 ing from 400 to 600 feet, is enough to scare away some of 

 the timid ones. The grander crags are on that side all the 

 way, and are, therefore, not so well seen as from the oppo- 

 site bank. 



The whole of the N.W. region of the Pikes is well worth 

 careful exploration. I think it mere vanity to insist on 

 reaching the cairn, leaving unnoticed so much that surpasses 

 that shapeless heap of debris which crowns the mountain. 

 Just before reaching the well-marked sheep-track which leads 

 to Peers Gill Head, turn to your left and make your way on 

 nearly level ground, by Cauld Kell Bield and Round How, 

 to a nameless stream descending from the Col, on the oppo- 

 site side of which is Calf Cove and the high road up the 

 Pikes from Langdale to Borrowdale. Climb by this very 

 small rivulet till it vanishes and then on, nearly due north, 

 till you stand on Far Crag, the extreme point of the Scafell 

 range in this direction, and you have a view of Borrowdale 

 and Derwentwater, which is worth fifty of that from the 

 Pikes. Or, follow the stream downwards till it shows signs 

 of approaching a fall, when you will see a large stream 

 coming from close to Peers Gill Head and tending to co- 

 incidence with the one you have accompanied. The two 

 ravines down which these two twin streams immediately 

 precipitate themselves form, conjointly, Girla Gill; and the 

 best way to investigate, perhaps, the noblest waterfall in the 



