The Wainwrights

A General Overview

Alfred Wainwright wrote the best walking guides that have ever been released in this country. In broad terms they detail a variety of routes up individual peaks in the Lake District. There are 214 individual fells and each fell usually includes 3 or 4 routes to the summit, outlined in great deal and including text and a route guide. In addition each individual fell included a general description, a hand drawn map of the fell (taken from his own observations and the old 1 inch to 1 mile Bartholomew maps), ridge routes, a summit viewfinder, hand drawn illustrations (drawn from his own photography – not done on the hill) and quirky observations on significant features of the fell (such as Napes Needle on Great Gable). Each individual fell is then packaged in to his 7 separate guide books which form the different areas of the Lake District. He did add an 8th in his later years ‘Outlying Fells of the Lake District’ but his reputation and fame was established by the publication of the first 7, over 50 years ago.

Today they are still comfortably the most popular guide books of the Lakes; the detail, the humour and the accuracy combining to make them the first port of call for those walking in the Lakes. There is an argument that the routes he categorized have been altered in the intervening 40 to 50 years due to a number of factors; the main one being the number of walkers tramping variations of his original routes, paths being altered by the authorities to prevent erosion and alternate start points with the establishment of car parks rather than bus stations being the prime access to the fells. The improvement in mapping and in particular the publication of the O/S 1 to 25 series has usurped the guide book as the must have guide on the mountains, and so it should be. However even if Wainwright’s guide books are seen less on the hill than previous years they are still bought and read in massive numbers because they are simply a great read with detailed information in beautifully produced books. The simple fact that the pages of the books were hand written in a lovely personalised script expressing a genuine love and passion for the Lake District and the hills in particular should be enough for most of us with a similar ilk.

I was brought up with Wainwright and used them as a guide book on the fells; soon after my Dad stopped taking me on the hills Wainwright did. It was inevitable that I would want to tick them  all and I have described my memories of them below but unlike the Munros the details are somewhat sketchy in retrospect. I am now closing on a second completion but many of the more famous fells I have done 10 or more times – I know them well. However I still go back to the Wainwright guide books regularly, rarely for the route (I prefer using maps and planning my own routes) but more because I appreciate his philosophy on walking and his unbridled enthusiasm for being on the hills. Many books now carry the Wainwright name but aside from the guide books the only one worthy of reading is the excellent ‘Fellwanderer’. Not really an autobiography Fellwanderer rambles on about the experiences that Wainwright remembers best about his times in the fells; night walks, surreptitious visits to popular summits, differing weather conditions and simply why he was there. With today’s obsession with safety, wearing the correct kit, sticking to the big paths and walking in large groups it is comforting to read that the best walker in the history of the Lakes, sneered at such conventions, preferred walking on his own, insisted the mountains were completely safe and that it was people getting in to trouble and not the fell itself creating problems.

I was embarking on the Newlands Round the other day and was stopped by a delightful couple who knew Wainwright personally. Apparently he used to sit with them in their cottage looking up at the hordes descending Hindscarth and mutter “what have I done, if I had known I would never have written the guides”. I am not so sure as I see it slightly differently. Yes there are a lot more people on the the Lakeland Fells specifically because of the guide books and many of them in big groups are not enjoying themselves, have no respect for the fells and cannot wait to get away never to return. However there are many 1,000s of others (like myself) who have been inspired by the guides and have a deep rooted affection for the area and the fells. Many would not have enjoyed the area if not for Wainwright and many go on to be more fulfilled as a result – the explosion of walkers in the last 40 years was going to happen regardless of Wainwright (the ‘motor car’ had a much greater impact) and he was able to enhance the enjoyment of many who came and I would say that this was a very positive legacy. The couple in Newlands (I will not name them but others will know who they are) also said that less and less walkers carry the guide with them and are taking the 1/25 map which is exactly what Wainwright would have wanted.

Full List of Wainwrights

Download Excel file
Height (ms) Height (ft) 1/25,000 Map Ref of trig point
Book 1 Eastern Fells Explorer OL7


3 Helvellyn 950 3115 Explorer OL5 342 150
9 Nethermost Pike 891 2921 Explorer OL5 343 141
10 Catstycam 890 2918 Explorer OL5 348 158
12 Raise 883 2895 Explorer OL5 343 174
13 Fairfield 873 2862 Explorer OL5 359 116
16 White Side 863 2830 Explorer OL5 337 166
18 Dollywagon Pike 858 2813 Explorer OL5 346 130
19 Great Dodd 857 2810 Explorer OL5 342 205
21 Stybarrow Dodd 843 2764 Explorer OL5 343 189
22 St Sunday Crag 841 2757 Explorer OL5 369 134
27 Hart Crag 822 2695 Explorer OL5 368 112
38 Dove Crag 792 2597 Explorer OL5 374 104
41 Watson’s Dodd 789 2587 Explorer OL5 335 195
49 Red Screes 776 2544 Explorer OL7 396 087
54 Great Rigg 766 2511 Explorer OL5 355 104
61 Hart Side 756 2479 Explorer OL7 359 197
69 Seat Sandal 736 2413 Explorer OL5 343 115
74 Clough Head 726 2380 Explorer OL5 333 225
78 Birkhouse Moor 718 2354 Explorer OL5 363 159
99 Sheffield Pike 675 2213 Explorer OL5 369 181
109 High Pike (Scandale) 656 2151 Explorer OL7 374 088
111 Middle Dodd 654 2144 Explorer OL7 397 096
120 Little Hart Crag 637 2089 Explorer OL5 387 100
125 Birks 622 2039 Explorer OL5 382 145
128 Heron Pike 612 2007 Explorer OL7 356 083
137 Hartsop above How 580 1902 Explorer OL5 383 120
155 Great Mell Fell 537 1761 Explorer OL5 397 254
165 High Hartsop Dodd 519 1702 Explorer OL5 393 108
172 Low Pike 508 1666 Explorer OL7 373 078
173 Little Mell Fell 505 1656 Explorer OL5 423 240
175 Stone Arthur 500 1639 Explorer OL7 347 092
181 Gowbarrow Fell 481 1577 Explorer OL5 408 218
191 Glenridding Dodd 442 1449 Explorer OL5 380 175
193 Nab Scar 440 1443 Explorer OL7 355 072
194 Arnison Crag 433 1420 Explorer OL5 394 150
Book 2 Far Eastern Fells


25 High Street 828 2715 Explorer OL5 440 110
31 High Raise (Martindale) 802 2630 Explorer OL5 448 134
39 Rampsgill Head 792 2597 Explorer OL5 442 127
43 Thornthwaite Crag 784 2570 Explorer OL5 431 100
46 Kidsty Pike 780 2557 Explorer OL5 447 125
48 Harter Fell (Mardale) 778 2551 Explorer OL7 459 093
55 Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) 763 2502 Explorer OL5 418 100
59 Mardale Ill Bell 760 2492 Explorer OL5 447 101
60 Ill Bell 757 2482 Explorer OL7 436 077
66 The Knott 739 2423 Explorer OL5 436 126
71 Kentmere Pike 730 2393 Explorer OL7 465 077
77 Froswick 720 2361 Explorer OL7 434 085
81 Branstree 713 2338 Explorer OL5 478 100
85 Yoke 706 2315 Explorer OL7 438 067
90 Gray Crag 699 2292 Explorer OL5 427 116
92 Rest Dodd 696 2282 Explorer OL5 432 136
102 Loadpot Hill 671 2200 Explorer OL5 457 181
103 Wether Hill 670 2197 Explorer OL5 456 168
105 Tarn Crag 664 2176 Explorer OL7 488 078
108 Place Fell 657 2154 Explorer OL5 406 169
110 Selside Pike 655 2148 Explorer OL5 491 112
118 Grey Crag 638 2092 Explorer OL7 497 072
126 Hartsop Dodd 618 2026 Explorer OL5 411 118
133 Shipman Knotts 587 1925 Explorer OL7 472 062
139 The Nab 576 1889 Explorer OL5 434 152
143 Angletarn Pikes 567 1859 Explorer OL5 413 148
144 Brock Crags 561 1839 Explorer OL5 417 137
157 Arthur’s Pike 532 1744 Explorer OL5 461 207
161 Bonscale Pike 524 1718 Explorer OL5 453 201
166 Sallows 516 1692 Explorer OL7 436 040
170 Beda Fell 509 1669 Explorer OL5 429 171
178 Wansfell 487 1597 Explorer OL7 404 053
180 Sour Howes 483 1584 Explorer OL7 428 032
195 Steel Knotts 432 1416 Explorer OL5 440 181
203 Hallin Fell 388 1272 Explorer OL5 433 198
207 Troutbeck Tongue 364 1193 Explorer OL5 422 064
Book 3 Central Fells
56 High Raise (Langdale) 762 2498 Explorer OL6 280 095
72 Sergeant Man 740 2416 Explorer OL6 286 089
68 Harrison Stickle 736 2403 Explorer OL6 281 073
75 Ullscarf 726 2380 Explorer OL4 291 121
76 Thunacar Knott 723 2370 Explorer OL6 279 079
83 Pike of Stickle 709 2325 Explorer OL6 273 073
89 Pavey Ark 700 2295 Explorer OL6 285 079
97 Loft Crag 680 2230 Explorer OL6 277 071
104 Tarn Crag (Easedale) 664 2177 Explorer OL4 488 079
130 High Seat 608 1993 Explorer OL4 287 181
132 Bleaberry Fell 590 1934 Explorer OL4 286 196
141 Sergeant’s Crag 571 1872 Explorer OL4 274 114
146 Steel Fell 553 1813 Explorer OL5 319 111
150 Tarn Crag (Easedale) 550 1803 Explorer OL6 304 093
152 Blea Rigg 541 1774 Explorer OL6 302 078
154 Calf Crag 537 1761 Explorer OL4 301 104
164 Eagle Crag 520 1705 Explorer OL4 275 121
167 High Tove 515 1689 Explorer OL4 289 165
182 Armboth Fell 479 1570 Explorer OL4 297 160
186 Raven Crag 461 1511 Explorer OL4 303 187
192 Great Crag 440 1443 Explorer OL4 270 147
198 Gibson Knott 420 1377 Explorer OL7 318 099
200 Grange Fell 410 1344 Explorer OL4 265 163
201 Helm Crag 405 1328 Explorer OL7 326 094
202 Silver How 394 1292 Explorer OL7 325 066
204 Walla Crag 379 1243 Explorer OL4 277 213
210 High Rigg 354 1161 Explorer OL4 309 220
211 Loughrigg Fell 335 1098 Explorer OL7 347 051
Book 4 Southern Fells
1 Scafell Pike 978 3210 Explorer OL6 215 072
2 Scafell 964 3162 Explorer OL6 206 065
5 Great End 910 2984 Explorer OL6 226 083
6 Bowfell 902 2957 Explorer OL6 244 064
11 Esk Pike 885 2902 Explorer OL6 237 074
17 Crinkle Crags 859 2816 Explorer OL6 248 047
30 Coniston Old Man 803 2633 Explorer OL6 272 978
33 Swirl How 802 2630 Explorer OL6 272 005
35 Lingmell 800 2623 Explorer OL6 209 081
37 Brim Fell 796 2610 Explorer OL6 270 985
42 Allen Crags 785 2574 Explorer OL6 236 085
44 Glaramara 783 2567 Explorer OL6 246 104
45 Great Carrs 780 2557 Explorer OL6 270 009
47 Dow Crag 778 2551 Explorer OL6 262 977
52 Grey Friar 770 2525 Explorer OL6 260 003
57 Slight Side 762 2498 Explorer OL6 209 050
58 Wetherlam 762 2498 Explorer OL6 288 011
86 Pike of Blisco 705 2311 Explorer OL6 271 042
88 Cold Pike 701 2298 Explorer OL6 263 036
112 Harter Fell (Eskdale) 653 2141 Explorer OL6 219 997
115 Rossett Pike 650 2131 Explorer OL6 249 076
123 Seathwaite Fell 632 2072 Explorer OL6 229 102
129 Illgill Head 609 1997 Explorer OL6 165 048
149 Rosthwaite Fell 550 1803 Explorer OL6 258 125
151 Hard Knott 549 1800 Explorer OL6 232 024
156 Whin Rigg 535 1754 Explorer OL6 151 034
176 Green Crag 489 1603 Explorer OL6 200 982
184 Lingmoor Fell 469 1538 Explorer OL6 303 046
212 Black Fell 323 1059 Explorer OL7 340 016
213 Holme Fell 317 1039 Explorer OL7 315 007
Book 5 Northern Fells


4 Skiddaw 931 3052 Explorer OL4 260 290
14 Blencathra (Saddleback) 868 2847 Explorer OL5 323 277
15 Little Man (Skiddaw) 865 2836 Explorer OL4 266 277
64 Carl Side 746 2446 Explorer OL4 254 280
70 Long Side 734 2407 Explorer OL4 248 284
80 Lonscale Fell 715 2344 Explorer OL4 285 271
82 Knott 710 2328 Explorer OL4 296 330
87 Bowscale Fell 702 2302 Explorer OL5 333 305
95 Great Calva 690 2262 Explorer OL4 291 312
96 Bannerdale Crags 683 2239 Explorer OL5 336 291
98 Ullock Pike 680 2230 Explorer OL4 244 288
100 Bakestall 673 2207 Explorer OL4 266 307
105 Carrock Fell 660 2164 Explorer OL5 342 336
107 High Pike (Caldbeck) 658 2157 Explorer OL5 318 350
114 Great Scafell 651 2134 Explorer OL4 291 339
121 Mungrisdale Common 633 2075 Explorer OL5 311 292
134 Brae Fell 586 1921 Explorer OL4 289 352
148 Meal Fell 550 1803 Explorer OL4 283 337
159 Great Cockup 526 1725 Explorer OL4 273 333
163 Souther Fell 522 1711 Explorer OL5 355 291
174 Dodd 502 1646 Explorer OL4 244 272
179 Longlands Fell 483 1584 Explorer OL4 276 354
190 Binsey 447 1466 Explorer OL4 225 355
206 Latrigg 368 1207 Explorer OL4 279 247
Book 6 North Western Fells
20 Grasmoor 852 2793 Explorer OL4 175 203
24 Crag Hill (Eel Crag) 839 2751 Explorer OL4 192 203
40 Grisedale Pike 791 2593 Explorer OL4 198 225
50 Sail 773 2534 Explorer OL4 198 203
51 Wandope 772 2531 Explorer OL4 188 197
53 Hopegill Head 770 2525 Explorer OL4 185 221
63 Dale Head 753 2469 Explorer OL4 223 153
67 Robinson 737 2416 Explorer OL4 201 168
73 Hindscarth 727 2384 Explorer OL4 215 165
84 Whiteside 707 2318 Explorer OL4 170 219
101 Scar Crags 672 2203 Explorer OL4 208 207
106 Whiteless Pike 660 2164 Explorer OL4 180 190
113 High Spy 653 2141 Explorer OL4 234 162
119 Causey Pike 637 2089 Explorer OL4 219 209
136 Ard Crags 581 1905 Explorer OL4 207 198
138 Maiden Moor 576 1889 Explorer OL4 237 182
142 Outerside 568 1862 Explorer OL4 211 215
145 Knott Rigg 556 1823 Explorer OL4 197 189
147 Lord’s Seat 552 1810 Explorer OL4 204 265
160 Whinlatter 525 1721 Explorer OL4 197 249
169 Broom Fell 511 1675 Explorer OL4 194 272
185 Barf 468 1534 Explorer OL4 215 267
187 Graystones 456 1495 Explorer OL4 178 265
188 Barrow 455 1492 Explorer OL4 227 218
189 Cat Bells 451 1479 Explorer OL4 244 198
205 Ling Fell 373 1223 Explorer OL4 180 286
208 Sale Fell 359 1177 Explorer OL4 194 296
209 Rannerdale Knotts 355 1164 Explorer OL4 167 183
214 Castle Crag 290 951 Explorer OL4 249 159
Book 7 Western Fells
7 Great Gable 899 2949 Explorer OL4 211 103
8 Pillar 892 2925 Explorer OL4 171 121
23 Scoat Fell 841 2757 Explorer OL4 160 113
26 Red Pike (Wasdale) 826 2708 Explorer OL4 164 106
28 Steeple 819 2685 Explorer OL4 157 116
29 High Stile 807 2646 Explorer OL4 170 148
32 Kirk Fell 802 2630 Explorer OL4 195 105
34 Green Gable 801 2626 Explorer OL4 214 107
36 Haycock 797 2613 Explorer OL4 144 107
62 Red Pike (Buttermere) 755 2475 Explorer OL4 160 154
65 High Crag 744 2439 Explorer OL4 180 140
79 Brandreth 715 2344 Explorer OL4 215 119
91 Grey Knotts 697 2285 Explorer OL4 217 126
93 Seatallan 692 2269 Explorer OL6 140 084
94 Caw Fell 690 2262 Explorer OL4 132 110
116 Fleetwith Pike 648 2125 Explorer OL4 206 142
117 Base Brown 646 2118 Explorer OL4 225 115
122 Starling Dodd 633 2075 Explorer OL4 142 157
124 Yewbarrow 628 2059 Explorer OL6 173 085
127 Great Borne 616 2020 Explorer OL4 124 164
131 Haystacks 597 1957 Explorer OL4 193 132
135 Middle Fell 582 1908 Explorer OL6 151 073
140 Blake Fell 573 1879 Explorer OL4 110 197
153 Lank Rigg 541 1774 Explorer OL4 092 119
158 Gavel Fell 526 1725 Explorer OL4 117 184
162 Crag Fell 523 1715 Explorer OL4 097 144
168 Mellbreak 512 1679 Explorer OL4 148 186
171 Hen Comb 509 1669 Explorer OL4 132 181
177 Grike 488 1600 Explorer OL4 085 140
183 Burnbank Fell 475 1557 Explorer OL4 109 209
196 Low Fell 428 1403 Explorer OL4 137 226
197 Buckbarrow 420 1377 Explorer OL6 136 061
199 Fellbarrow 416 1364 Explorer OL4 132 242

Useful Links

There are 7 main guides in the Wainwright series split in to Geographical areas within the Lake District:

Eastern Fells

Far Eastern Fells

Central Fells

Southern Fells

Northern Fells

North Western Fells

Western Fells

There are two further Wainwright books I heartily recommend; his 8th guide book which details the ‘Outlying Fells of the Lake District’ and the closest book he ever wrote about himself  ’Fellwanderer’ – quite excellent.

The official website for the Wainwright Society is at www.wainwright.org.uk

My Personal Journey

I am writing this well after completing the Wainwright fells for the first time (1991) so it is a random set of thoughts based upon memories combining first and subsequent visits to the fells. The Wainwright guides did have a couple of fundamental flaws when confronted with planning the walks. The first problem is that a number of the fells barely register as hills with the shortest climb being so insignificant from its neighbouring peak that it really failed to justify any entry as a separate mountain; the second problem was that it is difficult to create a proper walk from the guide books or to see the links to other neighbouring fells as Wainwright described each one of his 214 individual fells as if they should be climbed separately.

There is no doubt that some mountains are more worthy than others; it is the case when climbing the Munros but is more so whilst climbing the Wainwrights. This is bad enough when climbing the peaks for the first time but when hunting for the summit of Mungrisedale Common for the second time really does test the sanity – it did mine. There are groups of Wainwights to the west of Bassenthwaite, north and south of Ennerdale and dotted around Windermere and Coniston which are really a waste of time. They are usually trackless affairs (inevitably wet and boggy), I rarely met anyone on them and they are completely interchangeable. The acid test is if you would ever take anyone on them once you have visited them for the first time – I reckon the answer is certainly not to a good 1/4 of the Wainwrights.

In addition to the worthless lumps there are those fells situated on a ridge between more prominent peaks which are passed with barely a backward glance. These are mainly towards the eastern side of the Lakes on the long ridges of High Street, Kentmere and one of my absolute favourites , Helvellyn going north. From Helvellyn there is an 8 mile ridge to where it ends dramatically at Clough Head, a great ridge for walking but really worth only one extra peak on its length, Great Dodd. Wainwright added an extra 5 with a further top just off the main ridge. How many people have made Watson’s Dodd the sole objective on a separate walk? Not so many me thinks and those who have…… Small rises on long ridges or even insignificant satellites off more major fells (Pavey Ark springs to mind) account for at least another quarter of all Wainwrights. Therefore probably half of the Wainwrights are little more than lumps reducing the number of worthy fells to less than 100 and even then not all of them are worth of a visit. In many ways the Marilyns (500 foot ascent on all sides) of the Lakes give a more accurate picture of the mountains than the Wainwrights.

However the Marilyns only give us 55 fells (including some of Wainwright’s outliers and bizarrely a fell called Swinside on the banks of Derwentwater which Wainwright missed) in the Lakes and really only scratches the surface of what the Lakes and the Wainwright guides are about. As insignificant as the rise from the High Street ridge is Kidsty Pike is worthy of a visit and may be visited on its own, certainly for those looking for the nesting eagles, similar status go to Steeple, Fleetwith Pike, Bannerdale Crags and Whiteside amongst many other – simply great spots, worth being there. The ridge along to Whiteside from Hopegill Head is one of the very best in the Lakes, not hairy like Sharp or Striding Edge, but consistently steep sided with stunning views over the full Buttermere Valley. If including Whiteside as a Wainwright means more people tramp along to its summit then so it should be. Causey Pike and Catbells in the same area are two of my most climbed hills but they are both really just the terminus of a higher ridge, iconic landmarks which characterise so much that is good about the Lake District.

I love the smaller rugged peaks of the Lakes. The rocky outcrops, heather clad slopes and hidden hollows all criss crossed with sheep tracks which lead nowhere are all part of the variety that makes up the Lake District. I have just been up Hallin Fell, recently returned from Loughrigg Fell and they are fantastic family peaks. I am told by my eldest daughter that a lot of walks are boring; however if there is a little bit of mild scrambling this is deemed acceptable. Hallin Fell was interesting and heaven forbid fun! Other fells that fall in to this category are Gowbarrow Fell above Aira Force, Angletarn Crags and Place Fell near Patterdale, Glaramara, Harter Fell and even little Gummer’s How to the south of Windermere. They are a long way from the Lakeland giants or the long ridges of the east but they involve less effort to get up and defy the rule that the greater the effort the greater the satisfaction. Wainwright himself had his ashes sprinkled on one; beautiful yet rugged Haystacks.

So where is the best Wainwright? My view is biased but I have visited the top of Blencathra (or as I was brought up – Saddleback) about 20 times and fannied around its slopes innumerable times. It is a tremendous mountain, steep serrated edges to the south, lonely moorland to the north and a perfect summit. I have slept twice on the summit, once a reckless ascent after a face full of beers, the other a more controlled climb from the north as I practised a variety of navigational skills a couple of weeks before my ML assessment. Experiencing sun rise from the summit of Blencathra is one of the great experiences; the sun rises over Cross Fell and its Pennine neighbours creating a wonderful light and views that is something that will live with me forever. Camp high if you can, it is an unforgettable experience. I am sure I was still full of Jennings bitter as I headed down after my first overnight stay. Wainwright named 6 favourite fells and Blencathra was one of them, myself I put Blencathra top of the pile without competition.

I have always found something dramatic (even slightly scary) about Pillar and Steeple. When I was young I clearly remember my dad setting off from Threlkeld to Wasdale with my older brothers for an epic trip up Pillar and Steeple – forget Everest this was the mountain trip of a lifetime. Much later I camped at Wasdale Head and it seemed fairly straightforward, it must be the inaccessibility of the Wasdale Hills which create the impression that there is something special around Pillar. The reality is that there isn’t although Steeple overlooking Ennerdale is a dramatic and fantastic viewing point. I am really looking forward to a return visit to Wasdale Head in a few weeks though partly as the valley reminds me so much of some of the more remote Scottish glens. The hills are relatively empty and the walking is therefore more exciting than other areas of the Lakes…more of an adventure. The hills round Ennerdale should be similar but forestry has done untold damage, nothing stands out although I do prefer climbing the Red Pike trio from here rather than the steep slog from Buttermere.

I climbed Scafell Pike as a young teenager, we crossed to Scafell on the same trip via Lord’s Rake and returned via 3 Tarns. My dad refused to take responsibility for ending our days on Broad Stand, visiting it years later I don’t blame him. It was a hot day and we never seemed to be take much water, I am sure I was wearing green flash gym shoes as well but I got the batch at the end of the day and as I remember that was all that counted. The whole Scafell massif is one large stony plateau, not what I find particularly attractive, but I always have a feeling of pleasure when I am breaking my feet on the summit slopes. Great End is a great view point, Scafell I prefer climbing from the south and the excitement of Great Gable has always passed me by. I am off hunting for Napes Needle in the next few weeks, a route I have never been up, preferring the boring trudges over Green Gable from Borrowdale or Honister Pass.

I would include Langdale valley in the central belt, the core of the Lake District. Crinkle Crags is in my top 5 mountains, I have climbed it in balmy summer conditions, a frozen winter and the more normal cloudy westerly but whichever it is a fascinating rocky ridge with much to enjoy. Over the other side I remember regular visits up Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle, Jack’s Rake and Easy Gully part of my upbringing – I was so confident on the hill that I even took my daughter up Easy Gully in a back pack, however like my father on Broad Stand years earlier I did not take on the more difficult option. Lingmoor Fell is a smaller, less well known little gem not to be ignored in the valley. As the years go on some of the lesser peaks become more important rather than just trying to grab a ‘name’ Still attached to the central Lakeland massif I have always enjoyed climbing Glaramara, partly it is the name but it is a wonderful little peak, full of interest and I chose Glaramara 5 years ago as my peak when the Wainwright Society put someone on the peak of every single one at roughly the same one.

The great thing though about climbing the Wainwrights is that the options are endless, whether you have or have not completed them is irrelevant. There are endless routes, endless combination of fells and endless weather conditions, I will certainly go on as long as the legs will carry me, Wainwright once said that anyone who cannot get up Gummer’s How on the banks of Windermere should put away his boots and put on his slippers, I was up last week so I am still ok.