These classic tales written at the beginning of the last century are widely recognised as capturing the essence of rock-climbing's infancy as it was nurtured at Wasdale Head.

There is an hilarious description of social life at the Wastwater Hotel; another of the first ascent of the classic Bowfell Buttress; further accounts of exploratory climbing on Pillar Rock and of early climbs in Buttermere; and a fascinating description of "Scouts and Outposts" the large-scale game where men try to breach a ring of guards to reach their summit.