Climbing in The British Isles. Vol. 1 - England — John Shaqi
Climbing in The British Isles. Vol. 1 - EnglandHaskett Smith, W. P. (Walter Parry)
History
Climbing in The British Isles. Vol. 1 - England
Haskett Smith, W. P. (Walter Parry)
Mountaineering -- England; Mountains -- England -- Guidebooks
In all probability Leland's form represents '_Cotter End_,' by which
name, though not given in most of the maps, part of the hill is still
known.
=Cove=: often means 'cave' in Yorkshire and Scotland, but as a rule it
is a large recess in a hill-side.
=Craven=--_Camden_ remarks that the country lying about the head of the
river Aire is called in our tongue _Craven_, 'perchance of the British
word _Crage_, that is a _Stone_. For the whole tract there is rough all
over, and unpleasant to see to; which [with?] craggie stones, hanging
rockes, and rugged waies.'
Modern climbers, however, find it hardly rocky enough for them, at least
above ground, and have been driven to invent a new variety of
climbing--the subterranean. Exploration of the numerous _potholes_ which
honeycomb the limestone hills has of late years become a favourite
pastime, and, in truth, it combines science with adventure to a marked
degree.
Any one who tarries for any length of time among these Yorkshire dales
should read Mr. H. Speight's handsome volume, which gives a very
complete account of the beauties and the curiosities which they have to
show.
=Cross Fell=, in Cumberland, long enjoyed the reputation being one of
the highest mountains in England, and as late as 1770 its height was
calculated at 3,390 ft., which is some 500 ft. more than it is entitled
to. It was earlier than most English mountains in becoming the object of
scientific curiosity, and an account of it will be found in the
_Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1747. It is chiefly celebrated for the Helm
Wind originating from it.
=Cumberland= is the premier climbing county. The best centres are
_Wastdale Head_, _Rosthwaite_ or _Seatoller_, _Buttermere_, _Keswick_
and _Eskdale_. The cream of the climbing is on those fells which are
composed of rocks belonging to what is called 'the Borrowdale Series,'
such as _Scafell Pillar_, _Gable_, _Bowfell_, and as a rule the finest
climbs are found on the sides which face the north and east. _Cross
Fell_ does not belong to the same mountain-system as those just
mentioned, and offers little climbing. The best cliffs on the coast are
about _St. Bees_ Head.
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