File:Rock-climbing in the English Lake District (1900) (14590779388).jpg

Identifier: cu31924103707968 (find matches)
Title: Rock-climbing in the English Lake District
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors: Jones, Owen Glynne Abraham, George Dixon, 1872- Abraham, Ashley Perry, 1876-1951 Wordsworth Collection
Subjects: Mountaineering
Publisher: Keswick, Cumberland, G.P. Abraham
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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sition hasalready been defined. As we walk towards Styheadfrom Esk Hause the Needle stands out from the westface of the Gable very plainly; but from Wastdaleit is almost invisible against the background of theindistinguishable Napes rocks, and only those whoknow exactly where it should be are bold enough tosay where it is. Very few people seem to have seenit before 1886, when Mr. Haskett Smith reached thetop, though Mr. Wilson E-obinson made a penciloutline-sketch of both the N eedle and the Bear rockas long ago as 1828. Many even who wereacquainted with the crags of the Napes had notnoticed it. The fact is that a face of rock is veryapt to look flat and void of detail at a shortdistance ; and it is the joy of the rock-climber todiscover its thousand beauties when he engages withit at close quarters. The Needle is indeed a fine fellow as rocks go—just the sort of ornament for ones back garden intown, a gymnasium in itself It has now manyadmirers. The few footholds on the top boulder
Text Appearing After Image:
G. P. Abraham & Sons, Photos. The Gable Needle (Face page 168) THE GABLE NEEDLE 169 bear the marks of many nailed boots, even itssmooth face is scored by futile scrapes of thenervous, but it retains its charm for the Wastdaleenthusiast. In his dreams he takes a hammer andchisel, and chips away an important hold, and withthe dreamers ease swarms up the rock unaided.Again a hold is chipped away confidently with thefaith that removes mountains, and again he glidesup and down ; till at last its small top draws him upwithout effort and he hastens down to Wastdale toinvite the attention of climbers to the new^ editionof the Needle. Mr. Haskett Smith climbed it alone in 1886 andleft a handkerchief on the top. Those who havebeen once on the Needle will readily believe thatthis first ascent is one of the most daring thingsthat have been done in the Lake District. He pointed it out to Mr. John Kobinson one daywhen they were traversing the face of the Napeson to the Needle arete, and they bo

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