button to main menu  Martineau's Complete Guide to the English Lakes, 1855

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Page 101:-
returning to the place we had left, we crossed the stream, and commenced a steep ascent at the foot of Sharp Edge. We had not gone far before we were aware that our journey would be attended with perils: the passage gradually grew narrower, and the declivity on each hand awfully precipitous. From walking erect, we were reduced to the necessity either of bestriding the ridge, or of moving on one of its sides, with our hands lying over the top, as a security against tumbling into the tarn on the left, or into a frightful gully on the right,- both of immense depth. Sometimes we thought it prudent to return; but that seemed unmanly, and we proceeded; thinking with Shakspere that 'dangers retreat when boldly they're confronted.' Mr. Otley was the leader, who, on gaining steady footing, looked back on the writer, whom he perceived viewing at leisure from his saddle the remainder of his upward course." On better ground they had a retrospect on Sharp Edge,- which is the narrowest ridge on Saddleback, or any other north-of-England mountain. In places, its top is composed of loose stones and earth; and, the stepping on the sides being as faithless as the top, the Sharp Edge expedition has less of safety in it than singularity.
And now,- those who, after this, like to go there, know what they have to expect.
  Bowscale Tarn
  noonday stars
  immortal fish

The other mountain-lake, lying north-east of this, and called Bowscale Tarn, is also reputed to reflect the stars at noonday, but under so many conditions, that it will be a wonder if any body ever has the luck to see them. It is in this tarn that, in the belief of the
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button -- Bowscale Tarn
button -- "Saddleback" -- Saddleback ascent 1855
button -- Sharp Edge
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