Old Cumbria Gazetteer - Saddleback: ascent 1855


included in:-	Saddleback, Threlkeld
	Saddleback: ascent 1855
site name:-	Saddleback
civil parish:-	Threlkeld (formerly Cumberland)
county:-	Cumbria
locality type:-	hill
locality type:-	historic ascent
1Km square:-	NY3127 (etc)
10Km square:-	NY32
altitude:-	2847 feet
altitude:-	868m

evidence:-	old text:- Martineau 1855 placename:- Saddleback
source data:-	Guide book, A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, by Harriet Martineau, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, and by Whittaker and Co, London, 1855; published 1855-76. goto source Page 96:- "..." "The ascent of Saddleback may begin behind Threlkeld, up a path which the villagers will point out: but an easier way is, to diverge from the main road some way further on, by the road to Hesket, near the village of Scales. The hill-side path is to be taken which leads along Souter Fell, by the side of the stream which descends from Scales tarn. ..." goto source Page 99:- "... This dark water [Scales Tarn] is one of the attractions which bring strangers to this mountain; ... Another attraction here is the deeper solitude of the recesses of old Blencathra,- as Saddleback should still be called. Another is the view of Derwent Water from the summit. Southey says, "Derwent Water, as seen from the top of Saddleback, is one of the finest moun-" goto source Page 100:- "[moun]tain scenes in the country." That summit is called Linthwaite Fell; ... People who made the ascent sixty years since have left a terrifying account of its dangers, such as now excites a smile among energetic tourists. One gentleman was so "astonished," near the outlet, "with the different appearance of objects in the valley beneath," that he chose to stay behind. Another of the four presently "wished to lose blood and return:" but he was coaxed onwards to the tarn, where, however, he could see no stars, though it was noonday. Mr. Green, with his companion Mr. Otley, was among the earlier adventurers who stood on the highest ridge. He was so accurate an observer that his descriptions of unfrequented and unalterable places will never be antiquated. "... Wishing to vary our line in" goto source 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: ... ... 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." "..." goto source Page 102:- "... The traveller can return either by the way he came; or by Knott Crag, down upon Threlkeld; or by following the course of the Glenderaterra, along the skirts of Saddleback and Skiddaw,- coming out upon the Keswick road about a mile from Threlkeld. This last mode of descent is considered by far the most interesting."

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