Product Description

The Northern Fells include the rolling Caldbeck and Uldale Fells – 'serene and restful, a perfect sanctuary for birds and animals and fell-walkers who prefer to be away from the crowds'; Skiddaw – 'an affable, friendly giant'; majestic Blencathra – 'the mountaineer's mountain'; Latrigg – the favourite of visitors to Keswick – and many more. They offer the walker excellent tramping and exhilarating freedom to wander at will.. The Pictorial Guides by A. Wainwright, written half a century ago, have been treasured by generations of walkers. This edition of The Northern Fells is freshly reproduced from Wainwright's original hand-drawn pages.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28579 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 150 pages

About the Author
Born in Blackburn in 1907, Alfred Wainwright left school at the age of 13. A holiday at the age of 23 kindled a life-long love affair with the Lake District. Following a move to Kendal in 1941 he began to devote every spare moment he had to researching and compiling the original seven Pictorial Guides. He described these as his 'love letters' to the Lakeland Fells and at the end of the first, The Eastern Fells, he wrote about what the mountains had come to mean to him:

"I suppose it might be said, to add impressiveness to the whole thing, that this book has been twenty years in the making, for it is so long, and more, since I first came from a smoky mill-town (forgive me, Blackburn!) and beheld, from Orrest Head, a scene of great beauty, a fascinating paradise, Lakeland's mountains and trees and water. That was the first time I had looked upon beauty, or imagined it, even.

Afterwards I went often, whenever I could, and always my eyes were lifted to the hills. I was to find then, and it has been so ever since, a spiritual and physical satisfaction in climbing mountains – and a tranquil mind upon reaching their summits, as though I had escaped from the disappointments and unkindnesses of life and emerged above them into a new world, a better world.

In due course I came to live within sight of the hills, and I was well content. If I could not be climbing, I was happy to sit idly and dream of them, serenely. Then came a restlessness and the feeling that it was not enough to take their gifts and do nothing in return. I must dedicate something of myself, the best part of me, to them. I started to write about them, and to draw pictures of them. Doing these things, I found they were still giving and I still receiving, for a great pleasure filled me when I was so engaged – I had found a new way of escape to them and from all else less worth while.

Thus it comes about that I have written this book. Not for material gain, welcome though that would be (you see I have not escaped entirely!); not for the benefit of my contemporaries, though if it brings them also to the hills I shall be well pleased; certainly not for posterity, about which I can work up no enthusiasm at all. No, this book has been written, carefully and with infinite patience, for my own pleasure and because it has seemed to bring the hills to my own fireside. If it has merit, it is because the hills have merit."

A. Wainwright died in 1991 at the age of 84.

Customer Reviews

Perfect Companion To The Northern Fells
If you have used a Wainwright guide before, you won't need to be informed any further just how wonderful these pocket books are. However, if you are a newcomer to the fells, or haven't come across this series yet, then please believe me when I say that there is simply no better companion to exploring the peaks of the Lake District.

For those whose interest is purely to walk the fells, these books cover every angle of the mountains to a remarkable extent, including route descriptions, maps, summit views, and some beautiful hand-drawn pictures by the author. Be aware that these guides cover the fells only, though, so for a wider coverage regarding attractions, etc. within the Lake District, you will require another guidebook in addition. I know that for me, at least, these books are more than enough!

Wainwright's books were fastidious and personal account of his Lakeland, which makes them a thoroughly enjoyable read - all too often now, most guides just describe facts in an incredibly detached manner, and how to get the most for your money.

Though I have a great deal of affection for the original books, I would recommend the revised editions, updated by Chris Jesty, which are distinguished from the original editions by the colour photographs on the cover. Wainwright himself was more than aware that in the future his guides would become steadily inaccurate, since mountain paths come and go over 50 years, and Mr Jesty has done a diligent job in detailing changes that have occurred to the original routes and their environment, whilst maintaining the spirit of the original guides. In addition, the paths are marked in red ink on the maps, making them much easier to follow whilst on the fells.

Though the book of each area is, in my opinion, essential whilst walking in that region of the Lakes, I must make some comment regarding the specific details of this book, The Northern Fells. Including Skiddaw and Blencathra, the fells at the top end of the Lakes are often overlooked by casual fellwalkers, with the two mountains mentioned beforehand being the main exceptions. However, the views can be just as stunning as in the rest of the Lakes, and the fewer walkers met on your route can be a refreshing change, especially during the busiest periods of Summer!

In short, if you are new to walking in an area of the fells, or merely want a new perspective, these books are essential!

So many reasons to buy!
This is the 5th book of a series of 7 which were written between 1956 and 1965. The series covers the entire Lake District. This book covers the area north of Keswick and includes Skiddaw, Blencathra and the Caldbeck Fells.
My reasons for recommending the book are as follows:
1. The author is an expert. He has covered the ground, and the information in the book is a small selection of his total knowledge.
2. The guide is accurate. Minor changes have of course happened in the 40 plus years since publication, such as the disappearance of the railway. But the fells are the same. If Wainwright shows a safe route it can be relied on.
3. The author loves the area. He wrote the books initially for himself as a tribute to the hills. His appreciation shines through and is infective.
4. The author is a master draughtsman. The books are hand-written, but you would not initially realise this as the allignments appear perfect. There is joy in just browsing the book for its own sake.
5. The area deserves to be known. I have climbed most of these fells, and each one was a great experience - even Mungrisedale Common. Armed with this book and a little fitness and common sense you can become a mountaineer. The guide will direct you to easy but beautiful climbs (such as Latrigg) and to more strenuous and exciting routes such as Sharp Edge
In conclusion I have used these books for 30 years and they have led me to hours of healthy enjoyment of the fells

wainwright
This book is in-vaulable to me i take my car and go walking but unlike other maps this is more detailed and shows all the parking places, really good and reccommended