THE WAINWRIGHT FELLS

These are the 214 fells in the Lake District as described by Alfred Wainwright in his seven Pictorial Guides. This was our initial inspiration go walking and became our first challenge to see if we could climb them all. Being the first two members of our club, Shaun and Tetley have the advantage as they have been walking longest, and indeed they completed them, as too did Dad, on 24th July 2007. The final summit was Silver How, above Grasmere. Grizzly is now proud to say that on 24th June 2009, he reached the summit of Knott, his final Wainwright summit. Allen too, is now proud to say that on 19th August 2010 he reached the summit of Grisedale Pike, his final Wainwright summit. Little Eric's progress is also shown below.

For further information these are the dates that each member, completed all the fells in a particular book -

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.

Allen

For all updates from 2009 see - Allen's blog

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