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The traveller must either go back the way he came, or climb
out of the dale at the head, whence three tracks branch off
from the top of the pass of Nanbield. One of these tracks
turns to the left before reaching Small Water, and goes down
into Long Sleddale,- to follow which we know of no
sufficient inducement, unless it be that the way is
practicable for a horse,- which the others are not. Another
path ascends, by the pretty Blea Tarn, the slope of High
Street on the right, where the Roman road runs along the
ridge. The third goes forward past Small Water, and drops
into Kentmere, whence it is easy to strike over the fells
into Troutbeck. The choice will depend much on weather, of
course; and we wish the traveller something more of a choice
than was permitted to us when we were last there, when the
wind laid the whole party flat on the summit of the pass,
and put all thought of High Street quite out of the
question. The account of the weather given by a resident not
far off is "It donks and it dozzles; and whiles its a bit
siftering: but it don't often mak no girt pel." That is,- it
is misty, and drizzles; and it is sometimes showery; but
there is not often a great down pour. The wind however is
often strong; and the exhaustion from a high wind on high
ground is greater than any would believe who has not
experienced it.
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