PASS OF NANBIELD. 225 



railway. The carrier's wagon picks up the baskets 

 from the scattered dwellings in the dale, and 

 transmits no less than thirty cwts. per week to the 

 Manchester folk. 



The traveller must either go back the way he 

 came, or climb out of the dale at the head, whence 

 three tracks branch off from the top of the pass of 

 Nanbield. One of these tracks turns to the left 

 before reaching Small Water, and goes down into 

 Long Sleddale, — to follow which we know of no 

 sufficient inducement, unless that the way is prac- 

 ticable for a horse, — which the others are not. 

 Another pass ascends, by the pretty Blea Water, 

 the slope of High Street on the right, where the 

 Roman road runs along the ridge. The third goes 

 forward past Small Water, and drops into Kent- 

 mere, whence it is easy to strike over the fells into 

 Troutbeck. The choice will depend much on wea- 

 ther, of course ; and we wish the traveller something 

 more of a choice than was permitted to us when we 

 were last there, when the wind laid the whole party 

 flat on the summit of the pass, and put all thought 

 of High Street quite out of the question. The 

 account of the weather, given by a resident not far 

 off is " It donks and it dozzles ; and whiles it's a 

 bit siftering : but it don't often make no girt pel." 

 That is, — it is misty, and drizzles ; and it is some- 

 times showery ; but there is not often a great down- 

 pour. The wind however is often strong ; and the 

 exhaustion from a high wind on high ground is 

 greater than any one would believe who has not 

 experienced it. 



There is no difficulty in the ascent from Mar- 

 dale Green ; but the traveller indulges in frequent 



