Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells

"A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells: being an illustrated account of a study and exploration of the mountains in the English Lake District" is a series of seven books by A. Wainwright, detailing the fells (the local word for hills and mountains) of the Lake District in north-west England. Written over a period of 13 years from 1952, they consist entirely of reproductions of Wainwright's manuscript, hand-produced in pen and ink with no typeset material.

The series has been in print almost continuously since it was first published between 1955 and 1966, with more than 2 million copies sold. [ [http://www.wainwright.org.uk/events/2007/centenary.html The Wainwright Society – The Alfred Wainwright Centenary 2007] ] It is still regarded by many walkers as the definitive guide to the Lakeland mountains. The 214 fells described in the seven volumes have become known as the Wainwrights, and it has been estimated that around 500 people have climbed them all. [Dave Hewitt, "Interlude: A few thoughts on Fellbagging" in Hewitt (ed.), "A Bit of Grit on Haystacks" (Disley: Millrace, 2004), pp. 87–88]

The books

The books, with the ISBNs of the revised editions, are:

*Book 1 — "The Eastern Fells" ISBN 0-7112-2454-4
*Book 2 — "The Far Eastern Fells" ISBN 0-7112-2455-2
*Book 3 — "The Central Fells" ISBN 0-7112-2456-0
*Book 4 — "The Southern Fells" ISBN 0-7112-2457-9
*Book 5 — "The Northern Fells" ISBN 0-7112-2458-7
*Book 6 — "The Northwestern Fells" ISBN 0-7112-2459-5
*Book 7 — "The Western Fells" ISBN 0-7112-2460-9

tyle and layout

Each of the fells covered by the guides has its own chapter, which normally includes a map of the fell, comprehensive details of ascent routes, ridge routes to other fells, routes of descent and a description of the summit. Carefully annotated pen and ink drawings of ascents and views accompany the details of each fell. Each book starts with a description of the geography of the area and ends with "Some personal notes in conclusion".

Unlike many authors who dedicate books to particular people known to them, Wainwright commences each book with an unusual dedication. These are:

* Book 1: "The Men of the Ordnance Survey"
* Book 2: "The Men who Built the Stone Walls"
* Book 3: "The Dogs of Lakeland"
* Book 4: "The Sheep of Lakeland"
* Book 5: "The Solitary wanderers on the fells"
* Book 6: "My right leg and my left leg"
* Book 7: "All who have helped me"

Wainwright, notoriously shy, also includes one drawing of himself in each book, generally from behind, of him admiring a particular view. These are:

*Book 1: View of Blencathra from Clough Head
*Book 2: View of Haweswater from Harter Fell
*Book 3: View of Thirlmere from Raven Crag
*Book 4: View of the Pinnacle, Scafell
*Book 5: Binsey summit with "ancient Briton" (ie. the author)
*Book 6: View of High Stile from Lanthwaite Hill
*Book 7: View of Yewbarrow from Gatherstone Head

In the notes at the end of Book 7, Wainwright lists what he considers to be the 'finest half-dozen' fells in Lakeland. His list consists of:

* Scafell Pike
* Bowfell
* Pillar
* Great Gable
* Blencathra
* Crinkle Crags

Publication

As of 2005, the series is beginning a factual revision by the publishers Frances Lincoln, in order to adjust the content to the present-day Lake District. Chris Jesty is undertaking the revision. So far (as of June 2008) the first five books have been revised and published. The sixth book has been revised and is due for publication on 23 October 2008. A 50th anniversary edition and a box set have been published. Leather bound versions can be found secondhand.

Wainwright bagging

The 214 fells included in the series are now generally known as 'the Wainwrights'. These range in height from 985 feet (Castle Crag) to 3210 feet (Scafell Pike). Completing all the Wainwrights is a popular peak bagging challenge. The Wainwrights differ from other bagging lists such as the Munros and Marilyns, however, in that Wainwright never set out to compile such a list himself, and inclusion is not based on objective criteria such as altitude or prominence.

Notes

ee also

*List of Wainwrights
*The Outlying Fells of Lakeland