There are 110 'Outlying Fells' listed in A Wainwright's 'The Outlying Fells of Lakeland' originally published by Westmorland Gazette in 1974. The fells are contained within 56 walks and the vast majority of these are situated in the South and East of the Lake District National Park.
AW had for many years declined to write a guide to the lesser heights of the Lake District, but having become less able to climb the 'lofty peaks' himself, finally bowed to pressure and the book joined the 7 Pictorial Guides as a best seller.
Still being able to climb the 'grander' 214 fells listed in the Pictorial Guides, I have not yet turned my full attention to the 'Outlying Fells', but there time will come I am sure. To date I have only scaled a handful of 'Outlying Fells':-
In common with AW, the first 'Outlying Fell' I climbed was Orrest Head, close to Windermere town centre, on 28 June 1982. Although a modest height, only 783' above sea level with just 400 feet of ascent, the view is sensational and whets one's appetite for bigger and better things that lie ahead.
The second 'Outlying Fell' I scaled was Claife Heights on 30 June 1982. This is an upland area rising between Esthwaite Water and Windermere, with a number of tarns close to the summit.
The third OF was Walna Scar which I climbed following ascents of The Old Man and Dow Crag in dense fog!
The fourth OF I summited was Reston Scar on 19 January 2008 together with 22 other walkers. AW hated walking parties (particularly school parties) but hopefully he will forgive this one instance. The occasion was 'The Wainwright Society Annual General Meeting Morning Walk' led by Caroline Nichol and ''starring'' TV personality Julia Bradbury who was the guest speaker later in the day at the AGM at Staveley Village Hall.
The way up Reston Scar
Some of my friends from The Wainwright Society
She maybe a TV celebrity, but she really is a lovely person
I don't know what will be my fifth 'Outlying Fell'. Hopefully there is plenty of time in the future!
All photographs taken with either a Nikon D40X (10.2mp) or a Nikon Coolpix 4200 (4.2mp)
