My new Project

Starts in the Spring, when conditions on the fells have changed from rough winter to calmer spring.

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AW surveying the fells. ​

Alfred Wainwright moved from Blackburn to the Lake District so he could be closer to the fells that he enjoyed walking so much. He loved the Fells of Cumbria so much he set out to climb and then create a guide for the 214 Lakaland fells, this included such things as hand drawn pictures of the fells, the different routes to their summit and maps etc.

He estimated it would take him 12 years to complete this mammoth task, but actually finished two weeks ahead of schedule, the final project resulted in 7 pictoral guides to the Lakes, each one a work of art in it's own right. The 214 fells are now fondly nicknamed "The Wainwrights". AW received an MBE for his work on the project and also completed many other books too, most of the profits eventually funding an animal shelter in Kendal.

My intention is to also climb all of these fells too, and make a photographic record of my escapades for no other reason than its on my doorstep and I want to do it. I wont be putting a time limit on it's completion as it's merely for my own enjoyment, health and fitness. I'll be using AW's guides, as my guide. Here are a couple of examples of the Masters work.







I'll eventually produce a blog or website to show the photo's on.

Steve...

 

Great idea Steve, will look forward to seeing your progress. I've done a few Fells myself, words can't describe...

 

Sounds like a brilliant aim to have. I love the Lakes and have great memories of walks in the area with my parents - they had all of the wainwright books at one point.

 

Bravo Steve and Good Luck,that is one hell of a project........214 fells some pretty dangerous.
It's important you have youth on your side lol..and it's good that you live there.

I have just scratched the surface and done
Haystacks
Helvellyn
High Street
Helm Crag
Catbells
Castle Crag
Old Man of Coniston
Helvelyn was the most difficult,I certainly wouldnt do it again now, at my age lol.......
Several lives have been lost on these fells,so take care...... NO pressure.

 

Quite a target Steve, hope it all goes to plan.

 

One heck of a challenge it is, and it will take years to complete at the pace I intend to go at, but when you consider the extraordinary feats others have achieved, my challenge is nothing. For example...

Joss Naylor
2006: (age 70) ran 70 Lakeland fell tops, covering more than 50 miles and ascending more than 25,000 feet, in under 21 hours.

And to mark the Queens Jubilee last year at the age of 76 he did this http://www.itv.com/news/border/update/2012-06-01/jos-naylor-runs-for-the-queens-jubilee/ (Watch the video)

And to think he is now scaling things down a bit...LOL.

Steve...

 

Great stuff Steve it's a super project that will be you involved for a few years, and like you say you couldn't have a better home base for it.

 

Good luck on this long and pleasant journey Steve
Now we would like pics both mid summer and mid winter with snow please :-)

Jack McH

 

I wish you luck Steve, a great challenge and I hope you fulfill it. Good Luck!

 

Exactly......good luck