SCAEF GAP AND BLACKSAIL. 211 



dale winds away between Kirkfell and Yewbarrow^ 

 and discloses the great summits of Scawfell and Bow- 

 fell. The Pillar is 2^893 feet high, and nearly in- 

 accessible, from its craggy and precipitous character. 

 The path leads along the pass called Blacksail to a 

 sheep-fold on the little river Liza, which falls into 

 Ennerdale Lake ; at that fold the stream will be 

 crossed, and an indistinct path will be seen crossing 

 a hollow in the direction of Buttermere. That 

 hollow is Scarf Gap ; and the path leads out upon 

 Gatesgarth, at the head of Buttermere. From 

 Gatesgarth it is four miles to SeatoUer in Borrow- 

 dale, one mile to Honister Crag, and two miles 

 to the inn at Buttermere. As nearly as we can 

 make out, the walk from Wastdale to Gatesgarth 

 is somewhat short of twelve miles. Most of it 

 must be traversed on foot : though a horse may be 

 led, to be occasionally mounted. Travellers who 

 have walked xip the Eonerdale valley have some 

 difficulty in finding the commencement of the 

 Blacksail Pass, as the path only begins at some 

 height above the valley. The road followed has 

 been along the north side of the Liza, and this 

 side must be kept till some miners' huts are reached. 

 From this point the traveller must cross the valley, 

 making for a sheep-fold on the opposite bank of the 

 river, and then for a mountain ash at some height 

 above, on Kirkfell. This tree being reached the 

 path is immediately found. The beginning of the 

 Scarf Gap Pass is a rough zigzag on the left before 

 reaching the miners' huts. 



o 2 



