PART IV. 



MOUNTAIN PASSES. 



XANGDALE, T^OM BOEKOWDAXE, BT THE STAKE PASS. — PATH 

 TO EASEDAIE, — PATH TO ESK HATJSE. 



The top of the Stake Pass is five miles and a half 

 from E-osthwaite. The last house, — Stonethwaite, 

 — is left behind at the end of a mile. 

 THE STAKE p . rjij^g path follows, and at length crosses, 

 the stream, which is the infant Dervvent, — finding 

 its way down from Angle Tarn, lying high up in a 

 recess of Bowfell. The rocky mass of Eagle Crag 

 rises on the left ; and further on, the curious stone 

 called Black Cap. At the top of the Stake, the 

 guide (who may be had at the inn at Rosthwaite) 

 will point out the great Scawfell Pikes, Bowfell, 

 Hanging Knot and Great Gable. Half a mile of 

 moorland leads to the descent on the Langdale 

 side, — a zigzag path which keeps near the stream 

 that dashes down into Langdale. The traveller is 

 under the shadow of BowfeJl now, and in the very 

 centre .of the mountains. Pour miles from the top 

 of the Stake will bring him down to Langdale 

 Head; and another mile to inhabited regions again. 

 In descending from the Stake Pass the first house 



