An Introduction to Wainwright's Lake District

Alfred Wainwright is has been called amongst other things, "the greatest fellwalker." His written works and subsequent television footage have helped turn fellwalking into a national pastime over the past decades.

Walking has many benefits. It puts all participants on a level playing field. Access to the mountain fells of the Lake District is free of charge, and the "lack of rules" means that it is up to the individual to follow their own agenda. Distance, route and speed is all simply up to you. Walking was there before Wainwright, but he played a huge part in bringing it to the masses with his no nonsense approach.

I was a late starter, with my exploration of the Lakes beginning after I had turned thirty five. My first Lakeland fell was a bit of a disaster. Doing exactly what you shouldn't do, a fellow beginner and I set off with the wrong gear, no guidebook, and no map other than a 50p leaflet to guide us. Oh and the leaflet was soaked through within the first fifteen minutes and of no use to us; fortunately we remembered the instruction to "turn left at the telegraph pole." Funnily enough that actually helped, and we almost made it to the summit of Coniston Old Man, but bad weather made us turn back. Soaked through, cold and facing failure, we loved it!

A couple of days later my walking partner and I managed to reach the summit of our first Lakeland Fell, Catbells. Not a giant amongst fells by any means, but there it clicked. Stood next to the summit cairn, beside schoolchildren, grandmothers and their pets, it became blindingly obvious why people do it week in week out.

So there it was, I had conquered one of the "214 Wainwrights." That discovery was pleasing rather than depressing as it meant that fun and adventure to be had in the Lake District would be there for years to come.

I also realised that a little preparation goes a long way in the Lake District. Guide books and maps are all there for good reason, and a little investment has gone onto greatly improve my appreciation and enjoyment of the area. When I am unable to go out on walks I am able to stay at home, read the guidebooks, history books and photographic documents to enjoy and prepare for trips ahead. A couple of years down the line, having "conquered" many more of the great Lakeland fells, the adventure has just begun.