Climbing in The British Isles Volume I Part 9

When the question arises of how to climb the _High Man_, it is obvious that the scree just above it will be the nearest point to the summit; but equally obvious that the climb, though short, would be nearly vertical. The plan which at once suggests itself for getting to the top is to work round to the back of the rock and climb it from the top of the ridge behind. The ridge may be reached from either side, and in this fact we have the secret of two of the most important climbs.

So much for the general appearance of the Pillar; but the part which admits of the easiest and most varied attack is the east wall of the _High Man_, and of this side it is necessary to give a more detailed description. This part of the rock is the only one which is at all well known to the general public, and its chief features, being well marked, have for the most part received, by common consent of climbers, distinctive names. In order to see the formation of the rock properly it is well worth the climber's while to descend for a few yards and mount the _Sham Rock_ on the other side of the east scree. The peculiar structure of the opposite wall may now be clearly seen.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PILLAR ROCK FROM THE SOUTH-EAST A, _Pisgah_; B, _Jordan_; C, Summit; D, Top of _Curtain_; E, Corner between the _Curtain_ and the main rock.]

On our left hand, between the mountain and the rock, is seen an outlying ma.s.s severed from the High Man by a deep square-cut gap. When the Pillar is looked at from the direction of the mountain-top, this gap is entirely concealed by the outlying piece, which then appears to present a fairly easy way direct to the summit. 'The climber (says Mr.

Williamson) mounts gaily and with confidence, only to find himself cut off from the High Man by an impa.s.sable cleft.' He sees it indeed with his eyes, but he cannot go up thither. Hence the names--_Pisgah_ for the false rock, and _Jordan_ for the chasm. A very well-known Pillarite once proposed to bridge the cleft with a plank or ladder and hold a tea-party on the top. This very original idea was not carried into execution, but certainly, without some such application, the pa.s.sage of _Jordan Gap_ is a formidable undertaking; for the north wall is only less vertical than the other, and though barely 60 ft. high--not much more, that is, than half as much as must be climbed by any other route--this is decidedly one of those cases in which the longer way round will prove to be the shorter way up.

On the extreme right--and rather below us--is the nearly level top of the Low Man; while not far from where broken cliffs lead up to the higher rock a curious natural post standing on the ridge marks the point from which a small deep channel is seen to come down towards _Walker's Gully_. This channel is of small importance, except that high up on the southern bank of it the glacier markings are most distinctly to be seen.

The channel itself soon curves more towards the north and plunges over the fearful cliff which faces the Liza, forming the key to the great climb on that face. From the foot of _Jordan Gap_ a broad smooth slope of rock runs horizontally along the face of the High Man, giving to it somewhat the formation of the 'pent-house wall' of a tennis court. The steepness of the scree, which runs down from left to right before our feet, makes the drop from this slope much greater at the Low Man end; but it will give no false idea of this side to say that, roughly speaking, the cliff is broken into three fairly equal portions, of about 60 ft. each, namely, a vertical wall above, connected with a steep and rugged part below by a smooth stretch sloping at an angle not far short of 40 degrees. The importance of this 'pent-house' is very great; for, as it gives an easy pa.s.sage right across this face of the rock, every climb which is possible from below may be cut into from the side, and thus more than half the labour of the ascent is saved. Indeed, any mountain which allows its entire front to be traversed in this way by a pa.s.sable ledge exposes every weak point in so reckless a manner that the attack becomes marvellously simplified.

Lastly should be noticed two rough curtains of rock which run down from the top of the Stone near the centre, and enclose between them what is called the _Great Chimney_. This chimney is the key to the climb on this side. The curtain on the south of it is the only one which is at all complete, and as it forms a kind of _arete_ running up to the summit, it is known indifferently by either name--the _Curtain_ or the _Arete_.

The easiest way to picture to oneself the features of the Great Chimney is to imagine a huge armchair, the 'seat' of which measures 20 yards from back to front and is tipped uncomfortably forward and downward at an angle of nearly 45 degrees. The _Curtain_ forms the right 'arm,' and from a level with the top of the 'back,' which is 50 ft. high, runs down very nearly but not quite as far as the front edge of the 'seat.' In the narrow s.p.a.ce thus left lies the _Ledge_, which makes it possible to pa.s.s round under the end of the arm and gain the 'seat,' which is called the _Steep Gra.s.s_. The same point may also be reached by climbing, as an alternative to the _Ledge_, over the lower part of the 'arm' through a deep nick--the _Notch_; and in either case the joint between 'arm' and 'back,' being badly cracked, offers an easy way (the 'small chimney' or 'jammed-stone chimney') of reaching the top of the back, which is the edge of a small plateau forming the summit of the High Man. Lastly, it should be noticed that the _Steep Gra.s.s_ can only be reached from below by a severe climb of 70 ft.--the _Great Chimney_ climb.

The side from which the Pillar is commonly climbed is not that by which the summit was first attained. The first successful attempt was made from the West, and it is doubtful whether for a quarter of a century any other route was known. But on the discovery of the Easy Way the older route was forgotten, and now enjoys a reputation for difficulty which is not deserved: it is looked upon as some little distinction to have accomplished it. In the preface to one of Wordsworth's poems the year 1826 is mentioned as the date of the first ascent. This is confirmed by a comparison of the second and third editions of Otley's 'Guide' (1825 and 1827), in the former of which the rock is declared unclimbable, while the latter mentions the victory of 'an adventurous shepherd.' The successful climber was not, however, a shepherd, but a cooper, named Atkinson, and living at Croftfoot, in Ennerdale. It is likely that his adventurous soul may have been fired by Otley's declaration that the rock was inaccessible. The perseverance of a friend has hunted out a contemporary notice of the ascent in the county paper, which remarks that, 'though the undertaking has been attempted by _thousands_, it was always relinquished as hopeless.' This proves, at all events, that even then the rock had a reputation. Subjoined is a list of those who have followed on Atkinson's track, so far as is known, up to 1873:

J. Colebank (shepherd); W. Tyson (shepherd), and J. Braithwaite (shepherd); Lieut. Wilson, R.N.; C.A.O. Baumgartner; M. Beachcroft and C. Tucker.

Summarising the various methods of ascending the rock, we may say that the west side first yielded in 1826; the east side probably about 1860; the south side in 1882, and the north side in 1891. The _Easy Way_ (as it is generally called) on the east side was discovered in 1863 by a party of Cambridge men led by Mr. Conybeare, and Mr. A.J. Butler, the late editor of the _Alpine Journal_. Mr. Leslie Stephen had visited the rock earlier in that year without finding a way up it, but in 1865 he was more successful, and wrote an account of it in Ritson's book; the account, as usual, was first defaced and afterwards stolen. The _Northeast_, or _Old Wall_, _way_ was discovered by Matthew Barnes, the Keswick guide, while with Mr. Graves, of Manchester. The central and western climbs from _Jordan_ were done by the writer in 1882, as was the eastern one in 1884, the last being scarcely justifiable under any circ.u.mstances, and especially without a rope. The direct climb of the _Great Chimney_ (starting on the south wall of it) was done about the same time, and curiously enough--for it is safe and comparatively easy--does not appear to have been done since. The long climb on the north face was accomplished by Messrs. Hastings, Slingsby, and the writer in 1891. It has been described in an ill.u.s.trated article in _Black and White_ (June 4, 1892), and by Mr. Gwynne in the _Pall Mall Budget_. It should not be touched except by experienced climbers.

=Pinnacle Bield=, on the east side of _Glaramara_, is a rocky part of the mountain and a famous stronghold for foxes. On the way up from _Langstrath_ there is a very steep bit for about 500 ft.

=Pisgah.=--A name given in 1882 to the outlying rock on the south side of the Pillar Rock, from which it is severed by an all but impa.s.sable chasm, not seen until it bars the way. The term has in subsequent years been applied almost generically.

=Pitch=: any sudden drop in the course of a rock gully, usually caused by some large stone choking the channel and penning back the loose stones behind it. Such a stone is then said to be 'jammed,' 'wedged,' or 'pitched,' and is sometimes called a 'chockstone' (q.v.).

=Pot-holes= are frequent in the Yorks.h.i.+re limestone. The rivers for considerable distances have underground courses. At each spot where the roof of one of these tunnels happens to fall in a 'pot-hole' is produced. They are very numerous about Settle and Clapham. Some are of very great depth and can only be explored with the aid of much cordage and many lights. The explorer of pot-holes has to face all the perils of severe rock climbing, and, moreover, to face them for the most part in the dark. It would be hard to imagine anything more weird than one of these darksome journeys, rendered doubly impressive by the roar of unseen waters and the knowledge that abrupt pitches of vast depth are apt to occur in the course of the channel without the slightest warning.

(See _Alum Pot_, _Dunald Mill Hole_, _Gaping Gill Hole_.)

=Pow=: a sluggish rivulet.

=Professor's Chimney.=--A name bestowed by Messrs. Hopkinson on the exit most towards the left hand as one comes up _Deep Gill_ on _Scafell_. Out of this chimney, again to the left, diverges that which leads up to the neck between the _Scafell Pillar_ and its Pisgah. To this latter chimney the name is erroneously applied by many, though, indeed, they might urge with some reason that if it comes to a scramble for one name between two gullies the more frequented ought to get it.

=Rainsborrow Crag.=--A n.o.ble rock in Kentdale, Westmorland. It is, perhaps, most easily got at from Staveley, but from Ambleside it is only necessary to cross the Garbourne Pa.s.s, and the crag is at once conspicuous. It is of the same type as _Froswick_ and _Ill Bell_, but finer and more sheer than either of them.

=Rake=: a word common in Derbys.h.i.+re, Yorks.h.i.+re, and the Lakes, which has been much misunderstood. It usually happens to be a scree-gully, but the fundamental idea is straightness.

=Rake's Progress.=--This is a natural gallery on the face of the Mickledoor crags of _Scafell_. It has been best described by Mr.

Williamson, who says: '_Mickledoor_ may be reached by scrambling up the steeply sloping screes which form its Wastdale slope; but the easier and more romantic approach is by the gra.s.sy ledge, which will be seen projecting from the face of the Scafell precipice. This ledge or shelf is in but few places less than four feet wide. In places it is composed of shattered heaps of rock, which seem barely to keep their equilibrium; but though there is a precipice of considerable height on the left hand, the pa.s.sage along the ledge is free from risk so long as the rock wall on the right is closely hugged. By one who watched from below the pa.s.sage along the ledge of some of the early pioneers of lake climbing it was christened the _Rake's Progress_, and the name appears apt when it is remembered that the ledge leads from the lower limb of the _Lord's Rake_ to the _Mickledoor Ridge_.' The first published description of the _Rake's Progress_ is contained in a letter by the late Mr. Maitland to one of the local papers in October 1881. He there states that he had recently traversed it for the fifth time, but had not previously to that occasion visited Deep Gill. Several grand climbs start from the _Progress_, including _North Climb_, _Collier's Climb_, _Moss Gill_, _Steep Gill_, and the _Scafell Pillar_.

=Raven Crag.=--This name is generally the sign of a hard, if not of a good, climb. One of the finest stands on the west side of Thirlmere, near the foot, or what used to be the foot of it before Manchester took it in hand; a second is on the _Pillar Fell_ just east of the rock; a third and fourth on _Brandreth_ and _Gable_, and indeed there is one on almost every fell.

=Red Pike=, in c.u.mberland, overlooking b.u.t.termere, is a syenite hill, and commands a glorious view, especially strong in lakes, but there is next to no climbing to be had on it. The best way up it is to follow the course of Ruddy Beck from the southernmost corner of Crummock Water, but the rocky amphitheatre in which Bleaberry Tarn lies is better seen if the somewhat rougher route by Sourmilkgill and its east bank be followed.

=Red Pike=, also in c.u.mberland, is a Wastdale fell, and lies between _Yewbarrow_ and the _Steeple_. The north side of it has abundance of small climbs, which, with the exception of _Yewbarrow_, are, perhaps, more easily reached than any others from the inn at Wastdale Head; but they are little visited, because everyone wants to fly at the highest game and do the climbs which are most talked about. This fell is sometimes called _Chair_, from the fact of there being a curious stone seat on it near the ridge, and not far from _Door Head_.

=Red Screes=, in Westmorland (2,541 ft.), are very steep in the direction of the Kirkstone (after which the pa.s.s of that name is said to be called), falling about 1,000 ft. in a horizontal distance of a quarter of a mile; but the ascent is not more than an exhilarating scramble. There is a well-known view from the top.

=Rope.=--Some remarks on the use of the rope as a safeguard in climbing will be found in the Introduction.

=Rossett Gill.=--A rough pa.s.s just over 2,000 ft. in height, which is the only approach from Langdale to Scafell, Gable, and the Wastdale fells generally. On the Langdale side you cannot go far wrong, but it is very rugged, so rugged that Mr. Payn has caustically observed that all expeditions in this region admit of being made by driving, by riding, or by walking, 'except Rossett Gill, which must be done on all fours.' On the Eskhause side the walking is perfectly easy, but mistakes are very liable to occur. On this high ground mists are extremely frequent, and blinding rain is abundant. The result is that people making for Langdale are surprised at having to mount again after the long descent to Angle Tarn, and often end by going away to the left down Langstrath, and find themselves to their great surprise in Borrowdale. The only safeguard is, of course, to bear clearly in mind that the ups and downs hereabout are considerable, and to arm oneself with map and compa.s.s.

=Saddleback= (2,847 ft.) was at one time thought to be higher than its neighbour Skiddaw. To Mrs. Radcliffe, on the summit of the latter in 1795, the former was 'now preeminent over Skiddaw.' 'The Beauties of England' informs us that 'the views from the summit are exceedingly extensive, but those immediately under the eye on the mountain itself so tremendous and appalling that few persons have sufficient resolution to experience the emotions which those awful scenes inspire.' We have a very full account of an ascent made in 1793. The narrator says: 'When we had ascended about a mile, one of the party, on looking round, was so astonished with the different appearance of objects in the valley so far beneath us that he declined proceeding. We had not gone much further till the other companion (of the relator) was suddenly taken ill and wished to loose blood and return.'

The great feature of the mountain is its southern front, which is cut away to form enormous cloughs, divided by narrow ridges. The latter are the Edges of Saddleback. Narrow Edge (as _Halls Fell top_ is now generally called) is the finest and most romantic. It runs up from Threlkeld, where there is a convenient station. The proper name of Broad Edge is _Gategill Fell_. Part of _Middle Tongue_ straight behind the lead-mine is also very narrow. A writer in the _Penny Magazine_ for 1837 speaks of 'the serrated precipices above Threlkeld,' and adds, 'One of these is called _Razor Edge_.' That name, however, has now for many years at least been used as the equivalent of _Sharp Edge_, which is on the east side of the mountain and on the north side of _Scales Tarn_, and at one time enjoyed a tremendous reputation as a perilous climb.

The name of the mountain itself has been jeered at as a post-boy's name, and romantically-minded people use the name Blencathara, for which many Celtic etymons have been suggested. The most usual form seems to have been Blenkarthur, and only the more northern of the two peaks was so called.

The quickest ascent of the mountain is from Threlkeld up _Narrow Edge_, but if the return is to Keswick, it should be made along the shoulder towards Skiddaw, and so by Brundholme Wood.

=Sail.=--This word, in the opinion of Dr. Murray, the learned editor of the new 'English Dictionary,' signifies 'a soaring dome-shaped summit.'

It occurs as a hill-name in the Gra.s.smoor group, near b.u.t.termere in c.u.mberland; but the characteristics required by the above definition are, to say the least, not conspicuously evident either there or in the other cases where this element is found in fell-country place-names.

(See _Black Sail_.)

=St. Bees.=--In c.u.mberland, on the west coast. Several accidents have occurred on the cliffs here. They are of sandstone, and incline to be rotten. The best are about _Fleswick Bay_. The height is only about 200 ft. The Rev. James Jackson--the Patriarch (q.v.)--lived at Sandwith close by, and was fond of climbing about on these cliffs.

=St. John's Vale.=--A name of modern invention, which has ousted _Buresdale_ (q.v.). It is used in an article in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1754, and also in 'Gray's Journal,' which possibly misled Sir Walter Scott, whose poem caused it to meet with general acceptance.

=St. Sunday Crag=, in Westmorland (sheet 19 of the Ordnance map), is of far more importance than _Helvellyn_ to the views of and from Ullswater.

Moreover, it has some capital crags facing north-west, among which many a good rock-problem may be found. They were long a favourite scrambling-ground with Major Cundill, R.E., the inventor of the _North Climb_ on _Scafell_, and are within easy reach of Patterdale.

=Scafell= (3,162 ft.) presents some fine rocks to Eskdale, but the grandest rocks, both to look at and to climb, are towards _Mickledoor_.

As a climbing-ground it is perhaps even more popular than the _Pillar_, especially in winter. In consequence of this the ground has been gone over very closely by climbers of exceptional skill, and climbing of a somewhat desperate character has occasionally been indulged in. This applies mainly to the west side of Mickledoor. The other side is easier, and has long been more or less well known.

Mr. Green says of it: 'The crags on the south-west [of Mickledoor], though seeming frightfully to oppose all pa.s.sage, have been ascended as the readiest way to the top of Scafell, and, amongst other adventurers, by Mr. Thomas Tyson, of Wastdale Head, and Mr. Towers, of Toes [in Eskdale]; but Messrs. Ottley and Birkett contented themselves by proceeding for some distance in the direction of Eskdale, to a deep fissure, through which they scrambled to the top of Scafell.'

It might be thought that this 'fissure' was 'Mickledoor Chimney,' but it is more likely that it was another and easier gully a good way farther down.