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I have now completed my objective of walking all the Wainwrights during this my second year in office as Chairman of the Cumberland Society of Chartered Accountants. Thanks to all those who have contributed so far and also to those who have joined me on the walks over the course of the year. The task was completed in 11 months, 10 excluding the final fell which was being saved for the first evening walk of the Armstrong Watson fell walking season.

April 10th - a superb evening with 45 people, six dogs and five bottles of bubbly on Hallin Fell! A great end to the year.

March 16th - a great day up Eskdale. Started at the Hardknott car park, back down the valley and up to the pass between Green Crag and Harter Fell. Across the boggy ground and on to Green Crag - great views of the coast and lower lying fells to south and west, then back across to Harter Fell - chose a better line through the wet gorund this time! More great views, including a drilling platform in Morecambe Bay, then across to the top of Hardknott. A chilly wind but improving visibility up Eskdale. Then up to Hardknott itself for my last lifetime Wainwright! Fantastic views of the Scafells, Bowfell and Esk Pike from here, with some snow still on the tops. A great rainbow under Bowfell as we descended on the Eskdale side and right on to Hardknott fort for a final treat at the end of a surprisingly long day.

March 15th - better than expected, as we drove across to Ennerdale in low mist! In fact it cleared as we approached and ended up not a bad day on Grike, Crag Fell and Lank Rigg. A pleasant circuit with good views of Ennerdale.

March 9th - a very pleasant day! Started at Yew Tree Farm and ascended the delightful Holme Fell. Great views! Then continued north along the ridge to High Oxen road end and along the roadside path north to access Black Fell. Quite windy on top and a squally shower, but still enjoyable. Down past Tarn Howes and Tom Gill to the car park. Then round to Langdale and up Lingmoor Fell, which was a delight, especially Side Pike. The top is a surprisingly long way back but it only took a little over two hours altogether. Again great views and some fresh snow/hail on the adjacent fells.

March 8th - a very windy walk, starting in Ambleside and up past Low Sweden Bridge onto the ridge leading over Low and High Pikes. Kept to the leeward side of the wall for much of this, so not too bad, but really got up over Dove Crag and Hart Crag. Hit driving hail lunch on the way to Fairfield then battled down to Great Rigg before dropping off over Stone Arthur, the third "new" Wainwright needed. Liz was blown over four times and the dogs were struggling too. Very wet by the end!

March 2nd - down Haweswater to the bottom of the Old Corpse Road. A steep start to the day, over Selside Pike, then a pleasant wander across to Branstree. Good views of High Street. Breezy again, but largely dry. Then down and up to Tarn Crag, then across the quaking bog to Grey Crag! More great views, especially east towards the Howgills. This is a different land..... Back to the pass between Tarn Crag and Branstree, then a rising contour through boggy territory to Gatescarth Pass and an easy descent. Much more straightforward than I'd imagined. Through the 200 barrier now!

March 1st - in like a lion......a breezy day with showers, but a pleasant walk from the Blencathra centre round to Skiddaw House, then on to Bakestall. Plagued by mountain bikes - not really, it's good to see you guys out there toiling uphill as we walk past - and a FWD vehicle, presumably the hostel warden. Binsey looked good to the north, bathed in sunshine! Then back to Skiddaw House for some lunch and generously donated coffee before heading up Mungrisedale Common, from the slightly boggy pass. Not a bad path, though, up past the Cloven Stone and cairn. Good views from the top over Great Calva and Lonscale Fell especially. Back to the track via Sinen Gill - not a bad walk altogether.
NORTHERN FELLS COMPLETE

February 24th -  a lovely day in Grasmere and ascending Sour Milk Gill to Easedale Tarn. Crossing the stream was not really feasible so we continued up the valley to Codale Tarn, a hidden gem. Then on to Tarn Crag with fabulous views and a lovely ridge to descend to Far Easedale. After a cup of tea we drove round to White Moss - no longer NT, so had to pay! - and up Loughrigg. Very quiet higher up, which must be rare.
CENTRAL FELLS COMPLETE

February 23rd - a miserable, windy morning ascent of Greystones, then along to Broom Fell, Lord's Seat and Barf, where I finally got a view! Found my way through the woods fairly easily to get to the pass leading onto Whinlatter, which saved a lot of height loss. Good views from there, then on along the ridge and down to have a look at Spout Force on the way back to the car. Drove round to the school just outside Wythop Mill for Sale Fell, which was lovely despite the wind. Snowdrops in full bloom at the farm. Then back and up Ling Fell, a steep, quick ascent.
NORTH WEST FELLS COMPLETE

February 17th - another great day over Eagle Crag and Sergeant Crag, then contouring round above Long Crag, which was easier than expected, to Ullscarf. From there, down to Blea Tarn and Watendlath before ascending Grange Fell and Great Crag! The whole thing made sense as it starts and finishes at Stonethwaite, but it's quite a long day with plenty of variety in the scenery. Blea Tarn is a revelation - must come back and camp here! The weather was superb - much warmer, despite -5 degrees in the valley before we set off - if hazy. Floating patches of very thin mist gave a strange sense of transience, whilst in the distance a black cloud seemed to hang on the horizon. One to remember.

February 16th - a superb day in the wettest of the central fells! Started off up Raven Crag, then across to Armboth Fell keeping fairly dry after a long spell without rain and a frosty night. Then up to High Tove avoiding the bog, followed by the ascent of High Seat wihich was marred by Annette disappearing up to her thighs in water! After a good wring out she eventually saw the funny side of it. After Hight Seat we continued onto Bleaberry Fell before descending via the crags to the north west of Raven Crag and some interesting MCWW marker stones. A cold clear day with great views.

February 10th - camped at Wasdale Head and woke up to mist in the valley which quickly cleared to give wall to wall sunshine all day long! Drove round to Irton Pike and ascended the ridge onto Whin Fell, then along the edge of the screes to get the views down to Waswater and on to Illgill Head. Fantastic views again - felt like Scotland looking down to the lake - the north end of Eigg, for example - then back round to Mitredale and a stunning high level walk with great views into this hidden gem of a valley. Then down to the valley floor and back to the car through fields and woods. A great day.

February 9th - a fantastic day which varied in temperature from spring to winter between lakeshore and fell top! Middle Fell, Haycock, Caw Fell, back round under Haycock to Seatallan then down over Buckbarrow. Great views of all the fells especially round Wasdale. Sunny most of the day with a biting wind high up.

January 27th - Ard Crag and Knott Rigg from the purple house and back via Keskadale. A superb ridge with great views - windy but dry.

January 26th - a very wet and windy walk from Ambleside over Wansfell and down to Troutbeck, then up to Sallows and Sour Howes before returning via Robin Lane. A surprisingly pleasant walk given the weather, as despite poor general visibility I was below cloud level all day.

January 12th - Fellbarrow and Low Fell - great little hills with excellent views over Buttermere and Loweswater

January 6th - High Raise, Kidsty Pike, Rampsgill Head, Rest Dodd and The Nab in glorious snowy weather

January 5th - Caudale Moor and Hartsop Dodd in the snow - great!

January 1st - Troutbeck Tongue was all we managed on yet another poor day - glad to get back to work after this break!

December 31st - Steel Feel and Seat Sandal from Grasmere - another wet and windy one, but enjoyable especially beside the beck coming down to Dunmial Raise.

December 30th - Loft Crag, Pike O'Stickle, Harrison Stickle, Thunacar Knott and Pavey Ark. A bit of snow about still and good views despite some cloud. Down via Jack's Rake which was fun with the dog!

December 28th - Short walks up Castle Crag and Binsey, in impressively wet and windy weather! Had a quick look at Millican Dalton's cave.

December 27th - Longlands Fell - followed by a very wet circuit round to Great Cockup duplicating an earlier walk.

December 25th - Arthur's Pike, Bonscale Pike, Loadpot Hill, Wether Hill and Steel Knotts - a lovely day with views over the mist lying on Ullswater - a great Christmas Day!

December 23rd - Birkhouse Moor, then down to a frozen Red Tarn before ascending Catstycam. Descended the quick way and over the dam, complete with well justified warning signs, as we realised when we got to the other side! A fair bit of ice on the poaths.

December 22nd - A truly unpleasant day for Place Fell, Angle Tarn Pikes, Brock Crag and back over Beda Fell to Sandwick Bay. Most of the time it was cold and wet, with verglas on the higher rocks, but at the end of the day the sun came out and made it all worthwhile! The bracken glowed red over Hallin Fell.

December 8th - Bowscale Fell in the snow! A real wintery blast made this little hill feel like a monster.

December 2nd - a quick, late walk up Souther Fell and Bannerdale Crags with Annette. Had intended to do Bowscale Fell, but we didn't have time. Just made it back as the light completely went - misty conditions didn't help, although it had started out clear.

November 25th - a really good day with Andy Ross over Burnbank Fell, Blake Fell, Gavel Fell, Hen Comb and Mellbreak with Floutern Cop thrown in for good measure!

November 24th - a pleasant if windy walk over Little Mell Fell from Thackthwaite, then onto Great Mell Fell and back to Thackthwaite on the road. I enjoyed this more than I anticipated - good views of dramatic weather, especially at the far end of Ullswater.

November 3rd - a quick ascent of High Pike from Fellside, up and down in one hour twenty. Cool, cloudy but clear.

November 2nd - a good day with Colin, Liz and Andrew (although he dropped out feeling ill after Bessyboot). Up Stanger Gill - delightful! - from Stonethwaite and over Rosthwaite Fell to Glaramara - got lost as usual but fortunately clear! Ran ahead to Allen Crags, then on to Esk Pike and Great End. Down the direct route to catch up with Colin and Liz at Angle Tarn, then over Seathwaite Fell and back down the Taylor Gill Force route. Even the road walk back to Stonethwaite didn't seem too bad! Some cloud around but not where we were and we even got some sun!

October 28th - a pleasant round back o' Skiddaw, starting at Orthwaite and ascending the Burn Tod path to Great Calva, then back across to Knott and Great Sca Fell, done earlier in the year, and down via Meal Fell and Great Cockup. A good day, with sun and views, though wet underfoot after yesterday's rain.

October 27th - a longish day given the weather - compass required at intervals for much of the time! Ascended from the ODG to Pike O'Blisco, then onto Cold Fell and across to Crinkle Crags. I was hoping for shelter from the wind up the Bad Step, but it was just funnelling up the gully! Then across to Bowfell and down to Ore Gap. Descended to Angle Tarn and up onto Rossett Pike. Found the track that takes the shortcut to the Stake Pass track - would have been interesting in clearer weather. The last two hours was in heavy rain, so glad to reach the ODG and a pint!

October 14th - a weekend's backpacking from Clough Head to Grisedale Tarn along the Helvellyn range, mostly in thick mist and rain, on the Saturday with Annette, Colin and Liz. Sunday a better day, with some views and no rain, so we completed the walk over Fairfield and down to Rydal via Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar, the three "new" Wainwrights of the weekend. A character building weekend to remembered for the lighter failure which meant no hot food or drinks! Never mind, we had the wine....

September 22nd - A great day round the Consiton Fells with Annette. Along the Walna Scar road to its high point, then up to Dow Crag and Consiton Old Man. Back to Brim Fell and Swirl How, down to Great Carrs and across the Grey Friar. Finally, back over Swirl How and down to Wetherlam. The great bit about this walk is the track back to the Walna Scar road from the Miners' Bridge, which looks so improbable descending Wetherlam! Wonderful views throughout - seven hours.

September 8th - A little used route via the South West ridge of Skiddaw Little Man gave an interesting, if steep, start to the day, which was followed by Skiddaw, Long Side, Ullock Pike and Carlside, before descending out of the mist to include Skiddaw Dodd and returning to Millbeck in bright sunshine with a box full of blackberries and bilberries!

August 30th - Latrigg with AW. The return through Brundholme woods was lovely, if a little dark in places!

August 27th - Bank Holiday Monday. Spent the previous two days in Scotland bagging Munroes, so needed to do some Wainwrights too! From Honister - cheating, I know - we ascended Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green and Great Gable, then down to Base Brown before returning to the pass to traverse under Gillercomb Buttress and back to Honister.

August 19th - A quick dash up Carrock Fell from the ford and back down to the south of the eastern crags. The weather was pretty dire and we retreated to Priest's Mill to warm up.

August 16th - A pleasant evening on Rannerdale Knotts with AW.

August 12th - the Kentmere horseshoe - Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike, Shipman Knotts, with Thornthwaite Crag and High Street duplicated! A good day despite some showers.

August 9th - An evening on Gowbarrow, returning via Aira Force

August 5th - Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag, High Raise, Sergeant Man, Blea Rigg and Silver How - a good long day from Grasmere.

August 2nd - Another evening walk over Knott, Great Sca Fell and Brae Fell with AW

July 26th - Walla Crag with AW

July 22nd - Clough Head, Great Dodd, Watson Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd and Hart Side from the Dockray end of the Old Coach Road, with Annette and Elliott. A lovely day which we ended sunning ourselves in the garden of the pub in Dockray

July 1st - Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor and Catbells with Elliott, Ian and Cheryl. Heavy showers but otherwise quite pleasant.

June 21st - Blencathra via Sharp Edge with AW, then camping at Scales Tarn

June 14th - High Rigg - with AW in high wind!

June 10th - Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Raise, Whiteside, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywagon Pike, St Sunday Crag, Birks and Arnison Crag - a glorious, hot day with Elliott

June 3rd - Hart Crag, Dove Crag, Fairfield and Hartsop above How

June 2nd - from Buttermere to Great Bourne, Starling Dodd, Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike. On my own, great weather.

May 31st - Gray Crag, Thornthwaite Crag (Beacon), High Street and Knott - a great evening walk in superb weather despite theats of showers, with AW fell walkers.

May 27th - the Mosedale Horseshoe with Ian - Yewbarrow, Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Pillar, Kirkfell - below the cloud all the way and generally decent weather despite hail showers! 

May 26th - birthday celebrations at Wasdale Head! Lingmell, Scafell Pike (both with a large group of friends), Scafell via Lord's Rake, West Wall Traverse and Deep Ghyll, then over Slight Side with Annette and Ian. Excellent weather.

May 23rd - evening ascent of Middle Fell, Red Screes, Little Hart Crag and down over High Hartsop Dodd. Great weather and skylarks singing on the summit.

May 20th - a round of the Coledale Horseshoe with all the outliers included, with Annette. A glider over Buttermere added to the excitement of this glorious day. Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Whiteside, Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike, Wandope, Eel Crag (Crag Hill), Sail, Scar Crags, Causey Pike, Outerside and Barrow.

May 17th - Lonscale Fell - a misty evening, but plenty of sun too, via Burnt Horse Ridge and accompanied by Armstrong Watson's fell walking group

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