Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells

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The Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells is a series of seven books detailing the fells (the local word for hills and mountains) of the English Lake District. They were written and illustrated in pen and ink by Alfred Wainwright between 1952 and 1965.

The full title of each book is A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells: being an illustrated account of a study and exploration of the mountains in the English Lake District: by A. Wainwright. Sales of the books recently passed 2 million. The books are popular amongst walkers not only for their immense detail but for the enthusiasm for the fells conveyed by the author, as well as his occasional touches of wry humour.

The books are:

Book 1 - The Eastern Fells
Book 2 - The Far Eastern Fells
Book 3 - The Central Fells
Book 4 - The Southern Fells
Book 5 - The Northern Fells
Book 6 - The Northwestern Fells
Book 7 - The Western Fells

1 Style and layout
2 Publication
3 Wainwright bagging
4 Editions
5 See also

[edit] Style and layout

A typical page from The Southern Fells, describing the ascent of Pike of Blisco. The diagrams of ascent are perhaps the most innovative feature of the Pictorial Guides.

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:

[edit] Publication

This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

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.

[edit] 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.