THE BIRKETT FELLS

Bill Birkett defined in his book "Complete Lakeland Fells", 541 summits over 1000ft (305m). It was Uncle Brian who actually spotted the book, suggesting to Dad that it would be of interest. So he bought it, but little did we, and Dad, know what we were letting ourselves in for. Dad checked off the fells in the book against those we had climbed, the total at the time being 280. Since then ours and Dad's done list gradually rose, and perhaps when we got past 400, we finally accepted that we would have to complete this challenge. This we are pleased to say was achieved on 14th August 2013, when we summited Pen in Eskdale. The total you can see below is 540, because Bill Birkett includes Pillar Rock, which is a rock climb rather than a walk to the summit. Dad is not experienced in rock climbing, and so any attempt would be foolhardy. What a wonderful feeling it was at precisely 11:15am on 14th August 2013, when we stood at Pen's summit cairn!

Currently the individual climbed status of each member is :-

Bill Birkett, in a similar manner to Wainwright, divided the summits into areas. Using Dad's extensive and detailed records, we have been able to calculate the number of walks and distance to complete each area, which we show below. In all it took 156 walks and 1090 miles to complete the challenge. The last summit, Pen took three attempts to conquer, and the first two involved another 19 miles of fruitless walking. As to total ascent, Dad did not record this for the early walks, so no accurate figure is available. However it would not be unreasonable to put an average of around 1600 feet of climb per walk, which would equate to 250,000 feet.

Last updates:29th June 2023 -Binsey

Dad was at Armathwaite Hall, and being Tetley's 25th birthday on 27th June, he said he would take us up Binsey, that is close to the hotel. As it turned out there was rain so it was the 29th that the walk was done. This was fine, as it was in fact Grizzly's 19th birthday on 1st July, so both were celebrated. A different route climbing it from the back. So along the road with lovely views to the right to Ruthwaite, and then the lane to High Ireby. Here left along the bridleway. First a track then across fields to come close to High House. As signed here went left following the clear track that leads to the Caremote Roman Fort. We did not visit rather crossed Whittas Park initially trackless, but then we found the wide path to lead to a gate, and then the final ascent to the summit. Southey cheered as he had not climbed this before. Up to now we had seen no one, but as we were having our picture taken at the cairn, a couple arrived and then another gentleman. Good views to Overwater, the Uldale Fells and Skiddaw. Then the clear path to the car. Good to be on the fells again. Thanks Dad.

30th June 2021 -The Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside

So, to the absolute delight of Little Eric, Dad took us on this round once again. For Shaun, Tetley, Grizzly and I it was the second time and for Dad his third. A beautiful summer day with plenty of sunshine and very light winds, making for hard going for Dad at times in the heat. The views were rather hazy which was a shame, but we cannot complain as they were superb in April when we climbed Helvellyn. We started soon after 08:00, walking up the Kirkstone Road to take Sweden Bridge Road, that ends at a gate where it becomes a track through woodland and out onto open fell. We could see the first two summits ahead and left. At High Sweden Bridge (lovely setting), we crossed and took the gate and up by the wall to climb the stile and follow the path ever upwards to finally gain Low Pike. The wall occupies the highest inches and we sat against it for the first of our pictures. Here we met a lovely family from Leicester (husband wife son daughter), who commented on us so Dad explained. We were to see them on and off as far as Dove Crag. So from Low Pike descended then made the steep climb towards High Pike. We got on a path away from the wall, but Shaun realising we were passing the summit, advised Dad to cut up the slope to ensure we reached it. Picture time again as it was at every summit. So on by the wall on the more gentle climb over grass to Dove Crag. The family were there and the son kindly took Dad's picture with us. Hart Crag was next, a steep rocky ascent that took us a while but finally done. A steep drop off this to then climb steeply at Link Hause then follow the wide cairned path to Fairfield highest point today. Here we sat in the shelter to rest a while. Dad took a few shots from here over to St Sunday Crag and Deepdale. So the return leg beckoned. A clear path led down towards Great Rigg followed by a modest climb to the summit. From here the eroded path dropped quite steeply for the long next section. It was hotter now and Dad was finding it hard going but he just kept going. After a mile or so we were at Rydal Fell (Birkett summit) the cairn being on the wall that ends at the top. The good thing now was that the distance to Heron Pike was largely done and we were quite soon there. Now it was down all the way on the meandering path to the final summit Nab Scar marked with a large cairn. This marked Little Eric's completion of Book 1 Eastern Fells so as is the tradition he sat on his own with the book open at Nab Scar to mark the achievement. So now followed the long long descent off here, the path having been restored which helped. We wound down and down to come to the road by Rydal Mount the last home William Wordsworth lived at. There was a sign for tearoom, and needing a rest and some refreshment Dad stopped here. Two large cups of water and a cup of tea revived Dad. It was a real life saver and spurred Dad on for the final mile or so to Ambleside via Rydal Hall. We are bursting with pride for our Dad to have completed this walk! We will not be doing it again!! So Little Eric completed Book 1 and now has 27 Wainwrights to do. Southey bagged all 9 summits

14th August 2013 - Upper Eskdale & Pen from Jubilee Bridge - completion of Birkett challenge!

Well with a forecast at least for part of the day of clear fell tops, Dad decided to make another attempt on Pen, so that Shaun, Tetley, Grizzly and I would finally complete the Birkett challenge. The morning and until about 15.00 was to be clear with some sunny spells and no rain. We were up and off early at 06.30 to drive to the Jubilee Bridge, starting walking at 08.20. The last two attempts had involved ascent via Narrowcove, but Dad had looked at the Scafell Pike chapter in the Wainwright and decided, despite the steepness, to take a pathless route from just past Cam Spout instead that shortened the distance a little. Determined, Dad made good progress via Scale Bridge, then up the zig-zags and on over the uninteresting boggy terrain, passing below High Scarth and so on to descend to upper Eskdale passing Sampson's Stones. Shortly then we forded Cam Spout and very soon the next stream. Just under 4 miles and there in just over 2 hours. Well on schedule! Hill fog shrouded the high fells, but as these came into view this lifted off Dow Crag, and for the first time on these attempts we could see Pen. Great!! The ascent over trackless grass & bracken with some scree and hidden rocks, looked and was truly unrelentingly steep and required not surprisingly a few stops for Dad to catch his breath, and use of hands too at times. Finally we reached a plateau, where we turned right across slightly less steep ground, to reach the base of Pen. The scramble up to the summit was easy, weaving between the large boulders on grass. Then the cairn came into view and after a quick photo we were there at 11:15. We all let out a shout of YES!!!!! Finally the Birkett challenge is done!!!!! We were quickly out of the rucksack and settled on the cairn for our usual picture, but this was extra special being the final summit. Dad then came over and held the camera so that his face and some of us were in another shot too. Fantastic and we all felt euphoric! Made our way off Pen a little way then Dad phoned Uncle Brian to tell him the news. So now Dad was faced with the equally if not more difficult descent to the path in the valley. The grass was wet so he took great care over this and the rocks and scree in places. The last part was through small bracken, and suddenly there we were on the main path again-thank goodness, and we are all heartily glad we do not have to use that route again. Headed back but soon stopped for lunch with Pen and Dow Crag for the view. Then it was just a matter of retracing the outwards route. The hill fog had cleared completely so now we got good views of Scafell Pike, Ill Crag, Pen, Scafell and the crags in Mickledore, as well as Crinkle Crags, Esk Pike & Bowfell. Dad did not dawdle on the descent in view of the weather forecast, and we were back to the car at 14.35. Good day!! Then drove home, running into rain on Birker Fell just after 15.00, so the walk had been timed perfectly.

Allen

For all updates from 2009 see - Allen's blog