The Wainwrights

[Colburn_Claret]

Hi All

Last year I walked the Coast 2 Coast, a long held ambition.

This year I'm going to do the Wainwrights, or start them at least. I probably have 20 or more I could tick off, but I'm going to start from scratch.

I just wondered if there were any fellow Clarets who have done them, in the process of doing them, or planning to do them one day.

Also if there are any do's and don'ts they would recommend. Any particular reference books for the walks, or just sit down and plot a route for myself?

tia

[rincon]

yes, done a few and plan to do many more, obviously following the guide books by Wainwright himself.
there are several ways up most of the fells, some involve scrambles and some don't.
someone got killed falling off Blencathra again this year, fell 100m off sharp edge, i have climbed it myself but avoided that bit of the walk as there ae other ways
I only walk now in the better weather as I find it pointless climbing up a hill, not to get the views.

[Bosscat]

Still a few left for me to finish

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[Colburn_Claret]

yes, done a few and plan to do many more, obviously following the guide books by Wainwright himself.
there are several ways up most of the fells, some involve scrambles and some don't.
someone got killed falling off Blencathra again this year, fell 100m off sharp edge, i have climbed it myself but avoided that bit of the walk as there ae other ways
I only walk now in the better weather as I find it pointless climbing up a hill, not to get the views.

Blencathra is one of those I've done before, me and my lad did Sharp edge luckily someone in front of us knew the way. I was expecting to traverse a steeper version of Striding Edge, but NO. The slab isn't for the faint of heart.
I have all Wainwrights guide books, courtesy of my brother, but the books dedicated to completing the Wainwrights tend to park the car as high, and as near, to the first fell as possible. It makes sense, and a whole lot easier, but a part of me feels like I'd be cheating myself.

[fatboy47]

Good shout Colburn...you'll love it.

I'd just say that biggest isn't neccessarily best...maybe a day on the Langdales doing Pavey Ark, Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle would be a nice acclimatiser.

Scree Gully and Jack's Rake on Pavey have deteriorated a touch since Wainwright wrote of them, so avoid those unless youre feeling pretty agile.

Enjoy it though, and make sure we get some reports.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Wainwright - the only Rovers fan worth spending time with

[Stanbill05]

5 wainwrights on coledale horseshoe which is a decent starter. Some are very underwhelming, but it's a good way of getting to areas you'd otherwise never see.

[ALP]

One of the best things Wainwright said was slow down, look over your shoulder and take it all in. Too many people race up to the top and race back down, they don't see the whole view. I did quite a few back in the day, always went slow and enjoyed all the views. A photographer who worked with Wainwright and well worth looking at his work is Derry Brabbs, he produces some of the best photos you could wish to see.
https://www.derrybrabbs.com/about

[Colburn_Claret]

5 wainwrights on coledale horseshoe which is a decent starter. Some are very underwhelming, but it's a good way of getting to areas you'd otherwise never see.

I was thinking of doing Longsleddale, Grey Crags, Tarn Crags, Kentmere Pike and Shipmans knott. An area of the Dales I haven't visited before, the only downside this week would be the state of the road to Sadgill.
I've been on FB looking at photos of people out and about in the snow this week, and loving it. I would too, but getting the car in and out of some of the starting points has put me off.

[Stanbill05]

Worth researching the bus routes. Plenty of Wainwright's accessible via an outstanding bus service along the main route between main line rail station at Kendal (oxenthingy) and Keswick for example. Public transport is better than you think in some areas. Means you don't always have to plan a circular route and you can enjoy a few of Bosscats Wainwright's if you fancy...

[xxmunkyennuixx]

I was thinking of doing Longsleddale, Grey Crags, Tarn Crags, Kentmere Pike and Shipmans knott. An area of the Dales I haven't visited before, the only downside this week would be the state of the road to Sadgill.
I've been on FB looking at photos of people out and about in the snow this week, and loving it. I would too, but getting the car in and out of some of the starting points has put me off.

I wandered around Grey Crags and Tarn Crags prior to Christmas. They were very underwhelming compared to some of the other Wainwrights. The suggestion of Coledale is a good one. Start from the primary school in Braithwaite and you can pick off a good number of summits with great views and interesting terrain.

[Colburn_Claret]

I wandered around Grey Crags and Tarn Crags prior to Christmas. They were very underwhelming compared to some of the other Wainwrights. The suggestion of Coledale is a good one. Start from the primary school in Braithwaite and you can pick off a good number of summits with great views and interesting terrain.

I'll take it onboard. At the end of the day Grey Crag still has to climbed to complete them all, and I thought I'd get the most underwhelming out of the way first.
Braithwaite might be a good shout if there is still snow and ice on the minor roads.

[Herts Clarets]

Be careful, they can be dangerous. Lancaster Claret has done a load of them and posted on social media. Shortly after, he was in hospital with a heart attack and required heart bypass surgery......

[Inchy]

My in laws have just finished doing them before Xmas. I think it was a 30 year endeavour. Some of the western fells are very difficult to access.

I’ve done a fair few from fell races, and when I can no longer run il probably try to tick them all off.

A lady who used to work at the same hospital as me has just set the record for completing them all in winter. I think it took her around 9 days. Mental

[nonayclaret]

I have done them all,; some many times, but I have been at it since 1970!
One of the most useful things I found, especially for the more-obscure Wainwrights, was getting a set of the Harveys Lakeland Maps.
There are 6 of them (i think), they are waterproof, and at a useful scale of 1:25000. They are also very clear to read and are more similar to orienteering maps than to OS maps. However, the main use in your case is that the Wainwright summits are named in red whereas all other ones are shown on black. This gives you a good overall picture of a particular area that makes for easier planning of routes between them.
One downside of these maps is that they do not show walls and fences in the farmland and so beware of crossing the "orangey-brown", non-moorland areas on footpaths as these features are not shown.

I would also agree that biggest is not best. In addition, I would say that the "tourist paths" are not always the best. There are some very interesting ways up many of the popular ones without taking the "dual-carriageway" routes. It depends on your ability on how far you can do in a day and how tricky an ascent route you can handle, so don't overstretch yourself and keep well within your capabilities. Don't underestimate the weather which can change very quickly. I was once at the bottom of Helvellyn in May at 21 degrees and it was 0 degrees on the summit. On the way down, I saw several families wandering up with kids in T shirts and shorts!

If the weather is good and clear, do the higher ones, but a very good day can be had when the mist is down at 1750ft buy doing a selection of lower 1000 - 1500ft ones.

Wainwrights have become very popular and so you will normally find a fairly-worn path up them all where none used to exist and where even Wainwright shows an unmarked route.

Good luck!

[Roosterbooster]

Started them about 3-4 years ago, still plenty to go though

Managed to get a few in on the same walk a few times, particularly around Skiddaw

Did Blencathra on an almighty gale of a day and quickly (wisely) chickened out of Sharp Edge, and went a different route. Sharp Edge makes Striding Edge look like a motorway - I think its more nervewracking than Crib Goch on the way up Snowdon

[Dressinggown]

l have bagged a total of one Wainwright, Orrest Head.

I'm assuming that it's the lowest in altitude of the peaks.

If you are staying in or visiting Windermere then the walk starts across the main road and is well signposted.

The climb follows a well defined pathway which is tarmac. The gradient is low at this stage.

The upper reaches present a much tougher challenge. Crampons or supplementary oxygen are not required but the sheer steepness can be daunting for some.

The last few steps to the summit offer spectacular views of the lakes (due to the local weather conditions the view tends to be obscured for up to 362 days a year).

Hazards include:

Altitude sickness which can take forms of Pulmonary and Cerebral Edema. The former results being drowned from the inside by fluids which overflow the lungs. Cerebral Edema can cause the brain to swell which then explodes out of the ear, nose and throat area. Occasionally, the eyeballs are ejected from their sockets.

However, the main danger are the large groups of pensioners who fill the routes to the Summit. Despite their outward appearance, don't underestimate them. Some represent organised 'firms' where there is a strict hierarchy and military planning for their 'meet ups'.

They are called 'Ramblers'

Others, know that accessing social media they can get to the nearest hill or fell to get involved.

I've heard unconfirmed reports that one of the largest mobs in the North West has been:

Intimidating other climbers with verbal abuse ranging from "who are you, who are you" to "You're going to get your fecking heads kicked in".

It's been suggested that, in order to advance on the hill they have poking other, slower, climbers around the buttocks area with their Ski Poles.

[Tricky Trevor]

One of the best things Wainwright said was slow down, look over your shoulder and take it all in. Too many people race up to the top and race back down, they don't see the whole view. I did quite a few back in the day, always went slow and enjoyed all the views. A photographer who worked with Wainwright and well worth looking at his work is Derry Brabbs, he produces some of the best photos you could wish to see.
https://www.derrybrabbs.com/about

Spot on. I have the collection below plus the C2C and anything outdoors with Derry Brabbs on it is outstanding

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[TommyPicks]

I've done 8 Wainwrights, so loads more to do! Great fun though. I'd recommend a book called 'The Lake District 214 Peak Challenge' it's essentially a log book and has all 214 peaks in there ready for you to add notes about the walk you have done. It's a great way to tick them off, and add some notes so you can look back and remember the peak in question.

The good thing is at the beginning of the book it orders the fells in height order, so if you want to start on the smaller ones and work your way up, it's ideal for knowing the summit differences.

There's a great app called 'All Trails' which helps you navigate the routes. I have used this app many times and it has pre-built routes that you can follow and it goes off your GPS location. It's scary how accurate it is, even when there hardly looks to be a path in front of you!

[RicardoMontalban]

Hi All

Last year I walked the Coast 2 Coast, a long held ambition.

This year I'm going to do the Wainwrights, or start them at least. I probably have 20 or more I could tick off, but I'm going to start from scratch.

I just wondered if there were any fellow Clarets who have done them, in the process of doing them, or planning to do them one day.

Also if there are any do's and don'ts they would recommend. Any particular reference books for the walks, or just sit down and plot a route for myself?

tia

Got to about halfway then stopped because life got in the way, but me and Mrs RM are wanting to start up again this year. The original Wainwright walking guides are ace and there’s so much out there.

A handy website is https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/wainwrights/ which aside from your Munros also has a section on Wainwrights, and Corbetts, and Nuttalls, and Grahams, and so on and so on… But there are tons of great walks on there that bag multiple peaks in a single day.

[jmu1]

Did my last (five finishing on Cat Bells) in September. Started form scratch in June 2022. Had done about forty in my earlier years. Would highly recommend starting. It is a great way to see the less visited parts (Northern and Far Eastern) and enjoy the classics
The two best books are one by Graham Uney and one by Kate and Dan Parker. Good circular routes from a parked car - first does them in about 60 walks, the latter in 49. Would agree with your plan to do some of the lower ones this time of year and save the longer and higher ones for the warmer weather. Tarn Crags, Grey Crags will be very boggy but do need to be ticked off
Enjoy!!

[HurstGrangeClaret]

I completed the Wainwrights several years ago and continue to do some of them on a regular basis. Not much to add from some of the good advice already given. There are numerous horseshoe walks you can do taking in several summits in one walk, my particular favourite being the Kentmere Horseshoe, which takes in as many as nine Wainwrights, depending on your exact route around the head of the horseshoe.
There is an excellent paperback book called “Walking the Wainwrights “,can’t remember the author’s name, which links in several Ws in walks you wouldn’t have thought to have done.
Anyway, enjoy your task, and as Wainwright said,”watch where you’re putting your feet.”

[Colburn_Claret]

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I'll definitely be checking out the web sites.

I bought Bagging the Wainwrights by K&D Parker in Keswick before Christmas, knowing I was planning this journey. Walking the Wainwrights by Graham Uney was delivered by Amazon 3 hours ago. I plan to do them as soon as possible, but not treating it like a race or competition.
I'm fortunate that now I'm retired I can pick and choose the days I go according to the weather reports. Circular walks taking in several peaks is the way I'll do it, but if I wait for 60 clear days in the Lakes it might take 3 years, so a bit of common sense will have to be used.
I'd thought of booking a week in a B&B for the far Western Fells, as then I can plan 2 or 3 walks to cover the whole area. That only leaves the problem of how the wife entertains herself while I'm out enjoying myself.

Thanks again, and I will try and post some pics as I go along.

[Bosscat]

Thanks again, and I will try and post some pics as I go along.

Looking forward to the pictures Colburn Claret

[Claret86]

Started them about 3-4 years ago, still plenty to go though

Managed to get a few in on the same walk a few times, particularly around Skiddaw

Did Blencathra on an almighty gale of a day and quickly (wisely) chickened out of Sharp Edge, and went a different route. Sharp Edge makes Striding Edge look like a motorway - I think its more nervewracking than Crib Goch on the way up Snowdon

I didn't find sharp edge that bad to be honest. Once I got to a point when I could see it, I asked myself what am I doing? But on there, although it was a bit windier than I would have liked, I enjoyed it. Only problem I had was climbing off the end. I lost the track slightly, and if I wasn't tall (I'm 6ft 2) I would have had to go back down a bit and get the track back.
I've been thinking about tackling the wainrights myself.
My plan would be to have a week each summer when I go for as many as I can, but enjoy it. It's not fun in the lakes in winter

[Godwit]

Like you, I restarted them again a few years ago, and finished with the little Holme Fell near Coniston. I had climbed most of them in the past but never kept a record of which ones. My advice would be to always be aware of conditions. If in doubt turn back and return at a later date, the mountains will still be there. There are no real problems apart from the very top of Helm Crag, which I believe even Wainwright himself did not manage.
I will say though, they do come a poor second to the Scottish Munros. It took me just over 10 years to "compleat" those and definitely needed the help of a guide on the Isle of Skye.
Good luck, and enjoy.

[xxmunkyennuixx]

I'm using hill-bagging.co.uk to track how many I've completed. I was probably disparaging of Grey Crag and Tarn Crag because I've had some cracking wanders over the last year. Like you say, you are gonna have to do them all. I've never wandered around in circles so much trying to avoid bog as on Tarm Crag. I can only imagine it has got worse with the weather. Riggindale Ridge on to High Street and then a load of Wainwrights off there was perhaps the highlight of 2024.

I don't tend to bother about the weather. Wind dictates possibilities though. Some good low ones - Walla Crag from Ashness Bridge - you get some views on the way back. Castle Crag, High Rigg, Raven Crag are all lowish.

The lads recommending non-standard routes I totally support. I have found that if you start to tie summits together then you tend get alone time up there and those special moments of great scenery and interesting terrain without crowds become more apparent. It is why I recommend Coledale. Off the back of the Hause you can hit Grasmoor, Whiteside, Wandope etc.

[Fazz]

http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/ Another website you might find a bit of help

[Colburn_Claret]

I'm using hill-bagging.co.uk to track how many I've completed. I was probably disparaging of Grey Crag and Tarn Crag because I've had some cracking wanders over the last year. Like you say, you are gonna have to do them all. I've never wandered around in circles so much trying to avoid bog as on Tarm Crag. I can only imagine it has got worse with the weather. Riggindale Ridge on to High Street and then a load of Wainwrights off there was perhaps the highlight of 2024.

I don't tend to bother about the weather. Wind dictates possibilities though. Some good low ones - Walla Crag from Ashness Bridge - you get some views on the way back. Castle Crag, High Rigg, Raven Crag are all lowish.

The lads recommending non-standard routes I totally support. I have found that if you start to tie summits together then you tend get alone time up there and those special moments of great scenery and interesting terrain without crowds become more apparent. It is why I recommend Coledale. Off the back of the Hause you can hit Grasmoor, Whiteside, Wandope etc.

I checked Coledale out after the earlier suggestion.
The Bagging book has a short circuit taking in 4 Ws, the Uney book is 21km and as you say takes in 10 Ws. Surprising in that Uney covers them in 64 walks, compared to the Bagging in 45.
It's not the weather that puts me off, I have all the gear and walk in any weather. It's just the pleasure of knowing that when I'm on the tops I'm going to get the best views.
I think I'll set off and make my mind up when I get to the turning for Whiteside. Cheers

[Colburn_Claret]

On this fine morning, it's always fine on a Sunday if we've won, I thought I'd share a few pics.
I've done 4 walks so far, and 21 of the 214 Wainwrights bagged.

[Colburn_Claret]

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Blencathra from Mungrisdale Horseshoe

[Colburn_Claret]

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Bannerdale Crags

[Colburn_Claret]

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View from Kentmere Pike on Longsleddale loop

[Colburn_Claret]

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Tarn Crag summit

[Colburn_Claret]

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Hallin Fell on Fusedale loop

[Colburn_Claret]

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Hallin Fell summit

[Colburn_Claret]

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Classic view of Catbells and Skiddaw doing the Newlands Horseshoe

[Colburn_Claret]

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Crummock Water from Robinson

[Colburn_Claret]

I've been lucky to hear lots of 'Up The Clarets' on my walks, as I always wear my Burnley hat.

[dougcollins]

20250207_091758.jpg
Classic view of Catbells and Skiddaw doing the Newlands Horseshoe

Is that Bassenthwaite Lake up to the left?

[Guitargeorge]

Get hold of a copy of “Walking the Wainwrights” by Stuart Marshall. Splits them down into 36 doable circular walks.

[Colburn_Claret]

Is that Bassenthwaite Lake up to the left?

You can see Bassenthwaite top left, in the photo of Cat Bells and Skiddaw

[Colburn_Claret]

Get hold of a copy of “Walking the Wainwrights” by Stuart Marshall. Splits them down into 36 doable circular walks.

I have a couple of books already, the Graham Uney one, and the Bagging the Wainwrights one. I've never seen the Stuart Marshall book, but I'll look it up.

[burnley007]

Blencathra is one of those I've done before, me and my lad did Sharp edge luckily someone in front of us knew the way. I was expecting to traverse a steeper version of Striding Edge, but NO. The slab isn't for the faint of heart.
I have all Wainwrights guide books, courtesy of my brother, but the books dedicated to completing the Wainwrights tend to park the car as high, and as near, to the first fell as possible. It makes sense, and a whole lot easier, but a part of me feels like I'd be cheating myself.

I'm just about to head up Blencathra now.

[nonayclaret]

If you use the books you will assist in creating the dual carriageway routes. If you are concerned about the cheating element of parking high up or as close as possible, then plan your own routes which can pass through non wainwrights nd don't necessarily follow the masses.
It is not a race. There is much beauty off the beaten tracks.

[IrkthePurists]

Ironically, I am currently in a cafe enjoying a coffee after climbing Hartsop Above How this morning, no. 80 for me. Yesterday I did Seat Sandal, no. 79!

My approach is I just use the original Wainwright books and the OS app and maps. I’ve only got a few random ones left to finish the Central and East books and I plan to do those this year then probably go for Far East next and take it from there.

In my target books I’ve got loads of routes that I’ve planned and saved on the app of varying distances/difficulty and I’ll pick one depending on the weather and conditions and how much time I’ve got. Seat Sandal and Hartsop Above How were two that I’ve done everything around them but needed to do them on their own. Perfect shorter walks for the time of year, 2400 feet high enough yesterday and 1800 today.

The OS app is brilliant as you can download the map and there are no arguments as to where you are, useful if you are as bad at orienteering as I am!

[Colburn_Claret]

Ironically, I am currently in a cafe enjoying a coffee after climbing Hartsop Above How this morning, no. 80 for me. Yesterday I did Seat Sandal, no. 79!

My approach is I just use the original Wainwright books and the OS app and maps. I’ve only got a few random ones left to finish the Central and East books and I plan to do those this year then probably go for Far East next and take it from there.

In my target books I’ve got loads of routes that I’ve planned and saved on the app of varying distances/difficulty and I’ll pick one depending on the weather and conditions and how much time I’ve got. Seat Sandal and Hartsop Above How were two that I’ve done everything around them but needed to do them on their own. Perfect shorter walks for the time of year, 2400 feet high enough yesterday and 1800 today.

The OS app is brilliant as you can download the map and there are no arguments as to where you are, useful if you are as bad at orienteering as I am!

I use the Bagging books as a guide, I tend to tweak them to suit but not far off them. I'm hoping to leave a few easier ones that I can do with the wife, she's beginning to feel like a hiking widow.
I want to do the bigger loops a, it bags more fells b, I'm getting on and don't want to presume I have years on my side. Once I complete round 1 I intend to do them all again, at a lot more leisurely pace. Not that I'm not loving it now, I am.
Part of the fun is downloading/creating a route on OS then following on the app. Very useful, not this time but I did Fairfield years ago, and without the app I'd have been lost. You could barely see your hand infront of your face.

[alboclaret]

Nice OP.

I've somewhere between 80-90 under my belt. (Would have to check in book to be sure.
I'm there Friday to catch a couple more.
Obviously depends on. Level of fitness you have but 2 good loops from buttermere can catch you few on a single day.
Red pike anti clockwise coming down fleetwidth pick is a lovely loop. I'd say that's probably one of th finest days on the fells in LD there is, on a clear day.

Another decnt on is from buttermere up Robinson, hindsgarth, Dale head, honister for a snack and fleetwidth down if you still havnt bagged it.

You will only come down fleetwidth pike face once most likely as it's very steep and tough on your body.
You'd use warnscale b/w or the footpath past the bothy otherwise.

As said above, some of the recognised horseshoe walks are great to get some under your belt.

[HurstGrangeClaret]

Love the pics Colburn. Newlands Horseshoe is one of my favourites. The snow transforms the fells, instantly making them more beautiful, but also more dangerous and demanding.
I did Pendle from Downham about three weeks ago when there had been a fresh fall of snow overnight. What is normally a very straightforward four hour walk turned into a six hour grueller, and we didn’t even get to the summit. It was a brilliant day,but exhausting.
Anyway, enjoy your bagging. It’s a great way to keep fit.

[dougcollins]

I've had more trouble with Pendle than many of the grander Lakeland peaks - it can be very unpredictable, and had some hairy moments in fog.

No apps back in the day!