Wayfarers’Journal, 5, 18-24 (1937). (OCR followed by
correcting/editing.)
CONCERNING CONTOURS
By F. H. F. SIMPSON.
A glance at a map of the Lake
District will show that, well distributed as the ‘Twenty-fives’ may be, certain
large tracts and ridges, though essentially part of the mountain system, have
no place among them. No better example than the Langdale Pikes can be
indicated.
Mr. W. T. Elmslie, using the One
(sic) inch Bartholomew Map as a basis, dealt with the subject in Volume 9 No. 3
of the Journal of the Fell and Rock Climbing Club, in which are published his
startling tables of the two-thousand foot points of England and Wales. In using
the one inch Ordnance Survey Map, I have reached results which necessarily
differ to a considerable degree from those of Mr. Elmslie. His avowed desire to
avoid the investigation of minor humps is understandable when the extent of his
explorations is considered, but I submit that in the case of so compact and
rugged a region as the Lake District, and having regard to the average
elevation of its main ridges, the one inch Ordnance Survey Map provides as
satisfactory a basis for a table of two-thousand foot points as it does for the
more extensive compilations relating to English and Welsh ‘Twenty-fives’ and
the Munros.
Not wishing to interfere with
precedent, I applied to the Editor of the Rucksack Club Journal for permission
to incorporate the findings of Mr. Rooke Corbett as published by him, and this
permission was graciously accorded. Hours of systematic study of the maps
disclosed several ‘ Twenty-fives’ not included in Vol. 6 No. 3 of the Rucksack
Club Journal, but though I rejoiced in their discovery at the time, much of my
thunder was subsequently stolen by the supplementary list published by Mr. E.
Moss in Vol. 7 No. 3 of the same Journal.
In the final revision of the
rougher country I had recourse to the six inch Ordnance Survey Sheets, and two
further separate contour rings of 2,500 feet came to light, one forming
a triangle with the twin tops of Glaramara, and the other a dome-shaped excrescence
north-east of the head of Piers Ghyll. Their inclusion may prompt the enquiry
as to why I have omitted the numerous infant rings scattered within a few yards
of the two thousand foot contour, notably in Copeland Forest, and I take refuge
in advance in the excuse that those of them with any claim to prominence have
been included in the one inch sheets, and that the new ‘Twenty-fives’ are in
any case more worthy of record than such unconvincing mounds as The Knowe on
Mardale Harter Fell.
Some liberties have been taken,
of necessity, in finding names for many of the tops. Once again the methods of
Mr. Rooke Corbett were adopted, and adjoining rings have been grouped under
neighbouring names with appropriate cardinal points, e.g. Wetherlam North, West
and South. Where this has been impracticable, the colourless reference Point
N.W.,’ etc., has been employed with or without further identification in the
column of notes. In all the latter cases the compass indication is approximate
and reads from the top immediately preceding in the group. In a few isolated
instances an adjoining place name has been borrowed, e.g. Stonesty Pike. All
points followed by the plus sign are those to which no definite height has been
assigned in the one inch maps, and the figure stated is that of the highest
contour ring.
In breaking the district up
into fell groups, I have had regard to topographical features and the location
of the main watersheds. The table sets out the groups roughly from north-west
to south-east.
While the coloured Popular
Edition of the Ordnance Survey Map is sufficient for general purposes, it
excludes a large portion of the Skiddaw Group north of the basin of the River
Caldew, and the western extremities of the High Stile and Pillar groups. The
difficulty was overcome by the use of sheets 9 (
The grand total is 225, and as
far as I know there has not been any previous enumeration on the same lines.
Mr. Elmslie, relying on 250 foot contour intervals, makes the total of 157. A
reference appears in the Editor’s Notes in Vol. 8 No. 3 of the Journal of the
Fell and Rock Climbing Club, to the activities of some Westmorland walkers who
considered the task finished at 182. This total is only 43 short of my own, and
as they are stated to have used the one inch map, it seems obvious that their
standard has been that of the ‘separate mountain,’ the unnamed rings on spurs
and plateaux being excluded. The stigma of not being a separate mountain has
fallen upon many of the smaller fry north of the border, and the consideration
which must rule such a weeding out is that of scale.
No claim to originality can be
made, but those who elect to undertake the labour of meeting these widespread
tops face to face may be assured of many memorable days of rapture in solitude
attended by wettings, buffetings, freezings and failures innumerable, while the
novelty of a fell top unscratched and unsullied by decaying fruit needs no
recommendation.
Skiddaw Group. (24).
LONSCALE FELL
LITTLE MAN...
CARL SIDE
LONG SIDE
SKIDDAW ...
POINT E
DEAD CRAGS
GREAT CALVA W. TOP
GREAT CALVA E. TOP
COOMBE HEIGHT
KNOTT
GREAT SCAFELL N. TOP
GREAT SCAPELL S. TOP
GREAT SCAFELL E. TOP
GREAT LINGY HILL W. TOP
GREAT LINGY HILL E.
TOP
HIGH PIKE
CARROCK FELL
BOWSCALE FELL E. TOP
BOWSCALE FELL W. TOP
BANNERDALE CRAGS N.
TOP
BANNERDALE CRAGS S.
TOP
BLENCATHRA
KNOWE CRAGS
2344
2837
2400 +
2405
3053
2150+
2189
2100+
2265
2058
2329
2050+
2100+
2100+
2000+
2000 +
2157
2174
2150 +
2306
2100 +
2200 +
2847
2600+
O.S.12/A.6
A.5
A.5 S.W. shoulder of Skiddaw.
A.5 N.W. spur of Carl Side.
A.5
A.6 3/4 mile S.W. of Skiddaw
House.
O.S.9/J5
J.6
J.6
J.7
H.6
H.6.
H.6
H.6
H.6
H.7
H.7
H.8
J.8 S.E. Bowscale Tarn.
J7
J7 2nd map reference O.S.12/A.7
O.S. 12/A.7
A.7 Hallsfell Top.
A.7 A shoulder. See Rucksack Journal
1929, p.337
Grasmoor Group. (13).
WHITESIDE W. TOP
WHITESIDE E. TOP
HOBCARTON PIKE
POINT E.N,E.
GRISEDALE PIKE
GRASMOOR
CRAG HILL
SAIL
SCAR CRAGS
CAUSEY PIKE
WANDOPE
POINT S.W.
WHITELESS PIKE
2317
2250+
2525
2300+
2593
2791
2749
2530
2205
2000+
2533
2400+
2159
O.S.12/C.2
C.2
C.3 Sand Hill is a shoulder.
C.3
C.3
C.2
C.3
C.3 Height given On 6” map.
C.3
C.4
D.3
D.3
D.3
Dale Head Group. (7).
ROBINSON
HINDSCARTH N. TOP
HINDSCARTH S. TOP
POINT W
DALE HEAD
HIGH SPY
POINT N
2417
2385
2250+
2000+
2473
2143
2050+
O.S.12/D.3
E.4
E.4
E.4 Adjoining Wire fence on
main ridge
E.4
E.4
D.4 On ridge above Narrow Moor
D.4
High Stile Group. (8).
GREAT BORNE N. TOP
GREAT BORNE S. TOP
STARLING DODD
RED PIKE
DODD
HIGH STILE
POINT W
HIGH CRAG
2000+
2019
2085
2479
2050+
2643
2400+
2443
O.S.12/E.1
E.1
E.1
E.2
E.2 N.E. of Red Pike.
E.2
E.2 on ridge above Bleaberry Tarn.
E.3
Gable Group. (11).
FLEETWITH PIKE W.
TOP
FLEETWITH PIKE E.
TOP
BLACK STAR
GREY KNOTTS
BRANDRETH
BASE BROWN
GREEN GABLE
GREAT GABLE
KIRK FELL W. TOP
KIRK FELL E. TOP
POINT E
2126
2050+
2070+
2287
2344
2120
2603
2949
2631
2579
2400+
O.S.12/E.3
E.4
E.4 The
top of Honister Crag.
F.4
F.4
F.4
F.4 Point 2474 N.N.E. of Green Gable is only a shoulder.
F.& G.4.
F.3
F.3 Height on 6” map.
F.3
Pillar Group. (17).
LOOKING STEAD
PILLAR E. TOP
PILLAR
PILLAR ROCK
BLACK CRAG
LITTLE SCOAT FELL
GREAT SCOAT FELL
STEEPLE
RED PIKE N. TOP
RED PIKE S. TOP
YEWBARROW N. TOP
YEWBARROW S. TOP
HAYCOCK
LITTLE GOWDER CRAG
CAWFELL
IRON CRAG
SEATALLAN
2058
2500 +
2927
2500+
2689
2760
2750+
2687
2707
2629
2009
5820 (sic)
2619
2400+
2288
2100+
2266
O.S.12/F.3
F.3 On ridge above Hind Cove.
F.2
F.2
F.2 Height on 6” map.
F.2 Name on 6” map.
F.2 Height and name on 6” map
F.2
F.2 Height on 6’ map.
G.2 Strictly a shoulder.
G.3 Top
of Stirrup Crag adjoining Dore Head.
G.2
F.2
F.1
F.1
F.1
G.1
Central Group A. (11).
GREAT END
BROAD CRAG
POINT N.W.
ILL CRAG
ROUGH CRAGS W. TOP
ROUGH CRAGS E. TOP
LINGMELL
SCAFELL
LONG GREEN
SLIGHT SIDE
2984
3054
2500+
3000+
3210
2500+
2500+
2649
3162
2800+
2501
O.S.12/G.4
G.4 Height on 6” map.
G.4 Height on 6” map. At.the
head of Piers Ghyll.
G 4 Name and height on 6” map.
G.4
H.4 Name and height on 6” map.
H.4 Name and height on 6” map.
G.4
H.3
H.4 So contoured,
but noted in Rucksack Journal 1929, as 2750.
H.4 So contoured, but marked 2499 on 1” map.
Central Group B. (12).
ALLEN CRAGS S. TOP
ALLEN CRAGS N. TOP
GLARAMARA S. TOP
GLARAMARA CENTRE TOP
GLARAMARA WEST CENTRE TOP
GLARAMARA N.TOP
POINT N.E.
POINT N.E.
SEATH WAITE FELL S. TOP
SEATH WAITE FELL CENTRE TOP
SEATHWAITE FELL N. TOP
2572
2200+
2350+
2514
2500+
2560
2300+
2000+
2000+
2000+
2050+
2000+
O.S.12/G.4
G.5 South of High House
G.5
G.5 Height on 6” map.
G.5 Height on 6” map.
F.5
F.5 West of Comb Door.
F.5 At head of Comb Ghyll.
F.5
G.4 East of Sprinkling
G.4
G.4
Central Group C. (14).
TONGUE HEAD
ESK PIKE
ROSSETT PIKE
BOWFELL N. TOP
BOWFELL CENTRE TOP
BOWFELL S. TOP
SHELTER CRAGS N. TOP
SHELTER CRAGS S. TOP
CRINKLE CRAGS LONG TOP
CRINKLE CRAGS S. TOP
STONESTY PIKE
POINT N.E.
COLD PIKE
PIKE O’BLISCO
2250
2903
2106
2827
2850+
2960
2544
2667
2816
2733
2426
2200+
2259.
2304
O.S.12/G.5
G.4
G.5
H.5
H.5
H.5
H.5 Separate contour on 6” map
only
H.5
H.5
H.5
J.5 Name applies strictly to S.
spur of Crinkles.
H. & .J.5 At head of
Gaitscale Ghyll
J.5
H.5
Langdale Group (11).
ULLSCAEF ...
HIGH RAISE N. TOP
HIGH RAISE S. TOP
SERGEANT MAN N. TOP
SERGEANT MAN S. TOP
THUNACAR KNOTT N. TOP
THUNACAR KNOTT S. TOP
PAVEY
PIKE OF STICKLE
LOFT (or THORN) CRAG
2370
2400+
2500
2400+
2414
2351
2350+6
2288
2323
2403
2000+
O.S.12/F.6
G.6
G.6
G.6 On county boundary ˝ mile
N. of Sergeant Man
G.6
G.6
G.6
G.6
G.6
G.6
H.6 Above Gimmer Crag. Uncontoured, but an obvious top. Probable height 2100+.
Langdale Group (11).
ULLSCAEF ...
HIGH RAISE N. TOP
HIGH RAISE S. TOP
SERGEANT MAN N. TOP
SERGEANT MAN S. TOP
THUNACAR KNOTT N. TOP
THUNACAR KNOTT S. TOP
PAVEY
PIKE OF STICKLE
LOFT (or THORN) CRAG
2370
2400+
2500
2400+
2414
2351
2350+6
2288
2323
2403
2000+
O.S.12/F.6
G.6
G.6
G.6 On county boundary ˝ mile
N. of Sergeant Man
G.6
G.6
G.6
G.6
G.6
G.6
H.6 Above Gimmer Crag. Uncontoured, but an obvious top. Probable height 2100+.
Coniston Group. (15).
GREY FRIAR
GREAT CARRS
SWIRL HOW
WETHERLAM N. TOP
WETHERLAM W. TOP
WETHERLAM S. TOP
BRIM FELL
BUCKBARROW CRAG
OLD MAN
DOW CRAG N. TOP
DOW CRAG S. TOP
BROWN PIKE
WALNA SCAR N. TOP
WALNA SCAR S. TOP
HARTER FELL (ESKDALE)
2536
2550+
2630
2502
2400+
2400+
2611
2550+
2635
2555
2450+
2237
2035
2000+
2140
O.S.19/A.5
O.S.12/J.5 Little Carrs 2250 is a flat shoulder
O.S.19/A.6
O.S.12/J.6
J.6
J.6
O.S.19/A.5 & 6
A.6 On the Brim Fell—Old Man ridge. Name on 6” map.
A.6
A.5
A.5 Near top of Great Gully
B.5
B.5
B.5
A.4 So grouped for convenience.
Helvellyn Group. (24).
CLOUGH HEAD
CALFHOW PIKE
GREAT DOD
POINT N.E.
UNNAMED
WATSON’S DOD
STYBARROW DOD N. TOP
STYBARROW DOD S. TOP
GREEN SIDE
HART SIDE W. TOP
HART SIDE E. TOP
SHEFFIELD PIKE
RAISE
WHITE DOD
LOW MAN
HELVELLYN
CATSTYE
HIGH SPYING HOW
BIRKHOUSE MOOR N. TOP
BIRKHOUSE MOOR
CENTRE TOP
BIRKHOUSE MOOR S. TOP
NETHERMOST PIKE N. TOP
NETHERMOST PIKE S. TOP
DOLLYWAGGON PIKE
2381
2166
2807
2250+
2600+
2584
2767
2756
2600+
2481
2350+
2232
2889
2832
3033.
3118
2917
2832
2318
2350+
2300+
2920
2896
2810
O.S.12/C.7
C.7
C.8
C.8
C.8 Corbett’s Pancake. South top of Great Dod.
D.7 Strictly a shoulder.
D.8 Height on 6’ map.
D.8
D.8 Name on 6” map.
D.8
D.8
D.9
D.8
D. & E.8 Above Keppel Cove. Unnamed on 1” and 6” maps.
E.8
E.8
E.8
E.8 Highest point on Striding
Edge. See 6” map.
E.8
E.8
E.8
E.8 Height on 6” map only.
E.8 Height on 6” map only.
F.8
Fairfield Group. (21).
BIRKS
GAVEL PIKE
COFA PIKE
SEAT SANDAL
GREAT RIGG
RYDAL FELL 1st TOP
RYDAL FELL 2nd TOP
RYDAL FELL 3rd TOP
RYDAL FELL 4th TOP
ERNE CRAG
HERON PIKE
HART CRAG
DOVE CRAG
EARNEST CRAG
HIGH PIKE
LITTLE HART CRAG W. TOP
LITTLE HART CRAG E. TOP
MIDDLE DOD
KILNSHAW CHIMNEY
2040
2756
2577
2500+
2863
2415
2513
2000+
2000+
2022
2000+
2000+
2003
2698
2603
2000+
2155
2000+
2091
2150+
2541
O.S.12/E.9
E.&F.8&9
E.&F.9 No separate contour.
See Rucksack Journal, 1929, p. 341.
F 8 An obvious top but no separate contour.
F.8
F.8
F.8
G.8
G.8
G.8
G.8
G.8
G.8
F.9
F.9
F.9 West of
Deepdale.
G.9 1 mile S. of Dove Crag on southerly
Spur.
G:9
G.9
G.9 South of Caiston Beck.
G.9
High Street Group. (25).
LOADPOT HILL
WETHER HILL N. TOP
WETHER HILL S. TOP
RED CRAG
RAVEN HOWE
LONG GRAIN
HIGH RAISE
PLACE FELL
ROUND HOW
REST DOD
THE KNOTT
RAMSGILL HEAD
KIDSTY PIKE
HIGH STEEET
ROUGH CRAG
MARDALE ILL
GRAY CRAG N. TOP
GRAY CRAG S. TOP
THORNTHWAITE CRAG
FROSWICK
ILLBELL
YOKE
HARTSOP DOD
JOHN BELL’S BANNER
STONY COVE PIKE
2201
2200+
2200+
2328
2358
2200+
2634
2154
2000+
2278
2423
2581
2560
2718
2062
2496
2286
2331
2569
2359
2476
2309
2018
2474
2502
O.S.12/D.11
D.11
E.11
E.11
E.11
E.11 An easterly spur towards
Haweswater.
E.11 Low Raise 2465 is only shoulder.
D.10
D.10 3/4 mile S.E. of Place
Fell cairn.
E.10
F.11
F.11
F.11 No separate contour.
F.11
F.11 A spur N. of Blea Water.
F. & G.11 Height
from Bartholomew 1” map.
F.10
F.10
G.10
G.11
G.11
H.11
F.10
G.10
G.10
Harter Fell Group. (12).
SELSIDE PIKE
ARTLE CRAG E. TOP
ARTLE CRAG W. TOP
ADAM SEAT
HARTER FELL
THE KNOWE
BROWN HOWE N. TOP
BROWN HOWE S. TOP
KENTMERE PIKE
GREY CRAG
2142
2200+
2333
2180
2539
2509
2250+
2250+
2397
2176
2000+
2093
O.S.12/F.12
F.12
G.12
G.12
G.11
G.11 Strictly a shoulder. See
Rucksack Journal 1929, p. 337
G.11
G.11
G.12
G.12
G.12 Small separate
contour.
G.13