6& Point on Kersope Burn in the Cheviots, a Little Beyond Christenbury Crags
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CUMBERLAND. PHYSIOGRAPHICAL AND COMMERCIAL. 6& point on Kersope Burn in the Cheviots, a little beyond Christenbury Crags. From this point the Kersope forms the boundary line as far as Kersope Foot, where it unites with the Liddell; the latter river then becomes the boundary as. far as its junction with the Esk. Between this river and the Sark lay the "Debateable Ground," which after centuries of contention was divided by treaty in 1552 between the two countries, and an earthwork called " The Scotch Dyke,"· extending from a point on the Esk to the Sark, now forms the line of division. Thence the boundary line is formed by the Sark down to its junction with the Esk, and by the latter river till it falls into the Solway Pirth. The surface of the county is beautifully diversified. On the eastern side,. where Cumberland borders on Northumberland and Durham, the l~nd is of a decidedly Alpine character, numerous spurs from the Pennine Range penetrating some distance into the county. There are here a few romantic spots, but the· scenery in general is wanting in picturesqueness. The bleak expanses of moor land wastes and fells that occur with such persistency along the whole eastern. border present everywhere a dreary and unattractive aspect. The south-west angle of the county is covered by mountainR and fellB with lakes and tarns in the valleys, producing patches of romantic and picturesque scenery. The remaining: portion is flat towarrls the coast, but the interior is a combination of hill and dale, presenting an endless variety of landscape. On the north-eastern border· the western extremity of the "Cheviots grey" fringes tQ.e county, but their altitude here is considerably diminished. They possess neither romantic nor· picturesque beauty, but their sides afl'ord pasturage for innumerable hornless. sheep peculiar to the district. We append a li8t of the principal eminences, with their heights according to the latest observations :- FEET. FEET. FEET~ Scawfell Pike ... ......... 3210 High Stile ...... ...... ... 2643 High Pike.................. 2011 Scawfell .. .... .... .. .. ... 3162 Kirk Fell .. .... ...... ... ... 2631 Car rock FelL.............. 210() Helvellyn .................. 3118 Haycock .................. 2619 Causey Pike............... 2000 Skiddaw ...... .. .... .... .. 8058 Grisedale Pike............ 2593 High Seat.................. 1996 Great End.................. 2984 Glaramara ...... .... .. ... 2560 Screes .. .... .. .. .. ...... 1978 Bow Fell .................. 2960 High Raise ............... 2500 Black Corn be .......... 196!) Great Gable............... 2949 High Crag.................. 2443 Hartside Fell ............ 1883- Cross Fell.................. 2928 White Pike ......... ... .. 2380 White Fell ... ............ 1881 Pillar........................ 2927 Bowscale Fell ...... ... ... 2306 Lords Seat ....... ... ..... 1811 Saddleback ............... 2847 Seatallan .................. 2266 Lank Rigg ................ 1750 Grassmoor ............... 2805 Harter Fell ............... 2140 Great How ............... 1699- Great Dodd ............... 2804 Fleetwith .................. 2126 Ulpha Fell ............... 1336 Steeple .... .. ...... ......... 2746 Honister Crag .. .... ... ... 2126 Wallow Crag............... 1203- SCAWFELL AND THE PIKES are situated about three miles from Wast Water_ The Ordnance Surveyors have distinguished these points by the names of Sea Fell highest top and Sea Pelllower top, and to mark the former they have placed a staff on a cairn on the highest peak. The two Pikes, though only three-quarters. of a mile apart, are separated by a deep chasm, called Mickledore, in which a razor-like ridge with steep sides renders access from the one to the other almost im possible, except by a very circuitous route. As may be supposed, from their great altitude, both points command extensive views, not only of the circumjacent mountains, but also of a considerable part of Cumberland, Lancashire, the Scottish coast, with the Isle of Man and the mountains of North Wales. The shepherds and herdsmen of the district scarcely ever visit the Pike on the way of their vocation, for there is not a blade of grass to be seen, nor any vegetation except moss. The whole mountain appears to be composed of huge masses of slate rock, exposing their bare surface to view. Precipices and chasms are abundant, which render access to its summit difficult and dangerous without a guide; but the beautiful views to be seen from the top will well repay the tourist for the toil and trouble expended in attaining it. It is most conveniently ascended from Borrow- dale, but the best approach to the lower peak is from Wasdale Head. Rocks and large masses of stone piled one upon another form the principal features of this. fell; and the action by which these blocks were separated from their native rock E .