The Wainwright Society is challenging walkers to take part in the
ascent of 214 Lake District peaks during May to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the publication of the first of the great man's
Lakeland walking guides.
Dubbed
'The Great Lakeland Challenge', the idea is for individuals or groups
of walkers to ascend one of the fells between 14 and 21 May this
year. With 214 peaks to choose from, the Society reckons there's
something for everyone from biggies like Scafell Pike, England's
highest mountain at 3,209 feet, down to Castle Crag, which is less
than 1,000 feet.
The Wainwright Society wants those taking part to write a short
report about the ascent. These reports will be brought together in a
book together with photographs and Wainwright drawings.
Registration for the event costs just £10 including a £3
donation to the Lake District Tourism and Conservation Partnership,
which raises money for footpath repair and other environmental
projects. Payment of the fee will also include membership
of the Society for the remainder of 2005. The event is free to
existing Wainwright Society members.
It's a nice idea and in keeping with Wainwright's own sentiments:
'You will be following in my footsteps, wherever you go, and I hope
you find the enjoyment I found: I am sure you will', he wrote.
There's a list of the Lakeland fells on the Wainwright
Society site together with details of how to enter online. You'll
be able to see which fells are still 'available' on the site before
you make your choice.
Facts
Since Wainwright's Pictorial Guides were first published in May
1955 almost 2 million copies have been sold.
The fells, which all feature in Wainwright's popular guides, have
a combined height of more than 450,000 feet, nearly sixteen times the
height of Everest.
