That’s it, they’re all complete

Today was going to be a tough one. I’d planned a long (20km and approx 1200m of ascent) walk along the ridge running along the southern flanks of Crummock Water and Buttermere. This was to be my last 6 Wainwrights of 214.

I got up early and headed for Buttermere, parked up and left at 8.20am off on a long trudge along the track from Buttermere, past Scales and along the valley between Mellbreak and Great Borne.

It was drizzling and sometime raining and this really didn’t inspire me. However, I’d started and was meeting Liz at Honister so I’d got my work cut out to meet her for 3pm.

We got to Great Borne just after 10.30 I think, after quite a pull up out of the valley.

And then it was on to Starling Dodd over easier ground

On the ascent of Red Pike, the weather deteriorated and the snow came, a bit sleety, but perhaps a bit better than the rain lower down.

The view wasn’t up to much, which was a shame, so we carried on to High Stile (which had a similar outlook).



There were some atmospheric views of some crags that I’d been on some years ago.

And then we traversed the top of Comb Crags to High Crag.



The final Wainwright was in sight….

And so it was. We’d finished our 214th Wainwright. It had taken just under 6 years and 10 months to complete. This last year we’ve done nearly 100.

We headed to Honister to meet Liz who’d kindly driven over to drive me back to my car at Buttermere, not before a few minutes contemplation by Innominate Tarn in memory of AW.

If anyone asks me why I’ve done them. The answer is simple but also complex:

1. because they get you out and about
2. you get to some of the more unusual/lesser visited hills
3. it’s been a personal challenge
4. it’s good for the head
5. Pippa needs a walk
6. fantastic views (most of the time)
7. it’s better than sitting in front of a TV
8. it keeps me fit
9. and I enjoy it.

Wainwrights to go: 0