The Wainwright Ramblers: Recent Episodes
Lance, Matt and Nick
Hello! We’re the answer to the age old question - ‘What would a podcast about the Wainwrights sound like? • ’The three of us - Lance, Matt and Nick - have launched this venture to document our efforts in climbing all 214 of the Lake District’s Wainwrights. • We’ve set ourselves a five-year goal but we’ll decide later just how flexible we’re willing to be on that... • Each episode will document at least one fell - we might even head back and try a different route. Sharp Edge? The Fairfield Horseshoe? Jack’s Rake? • We’re looking forward to you joining us on the journey and hope you enjoy it as much as we will.
Wainwright wrote that the rich rewards of Hallin Fell’s summit are “out of all proportion to the slight effort of ascent” and he was spot on.
Topped with one of the finest cairns you’re ever likely to see, this modest hill manages to stand out amongst its loftier neighbours from a prime position on the edge of Ullswater and we love it.
Join us as we relive a day of ice-riddled roads, endless autumn colours and a deep dive - of sorts - into the not-so-secret identity of Steel Knotts.
After some time away from the fells while life became quite busy, we wanted to kick off Series Five with a bang and what better way than by heading to the top of the country?
While we’ve already had ourselves a Scafell Pike episode, the Corridor Route is a completely different adventure and one we’ve wanted to do for quite some time.
It was a huge day - which also took in Lingmell and Great End - and it’s a joy to be back sharing it with you all in a bumper episode.
Enjoy!
We like to end a run of episodes on a high, and Mellbreak is exactly that having fast become one of our favourite walks.
One of the more aesthetically pleasing fells in the Lakes, it also lends itself to a classic Wainwright quote that sums up just how good it looks sitting next to Crummock Water.
Join us for the Series Four finale as we relive a stunning day on the hills and discuss all things 2024 as we look ahead to new adventures and more group walks.
While it was a day that came together quite hastily, our jaunt up Lingmoor Fell and around Cathedral Quarry was comfortably one of our favourites so far.
Both would make great adventures on their own but why not combine the two?
Join us as we relive the highlights of an outing absolutely full of them - from Blea Tarn to huge caves, the Langdales and one of the Lake District’s most iconic bridges, there’s plenty to discuss.
Our listeners’ choice walks have so far seen us venture up St Sunday Crag and spend a morning rambling round the Langdale Pikes - so the bar was high.
Thankfully, the streak continued as our jaunt across Carrock Fell and High Pike exceeded all expectations.
Join us as we discuss two of the Lake District’s most interesting summits, try and outdo Wainwright’s way with words, and revisit a talking point from earlier in the series that sees one of us get some sweet, sweet redemption.
It’s our longest walk of the series today as we take on ten Wainwrights in an A to B from Kirkstone Pass to Pooley Bridge.
We’ve got cloud inversions, mega cairns, flying ants and summit wrestling - there’s a bit of everything going on.
Join us as we relive an outing with plenty of highs and a smattering of lows, while we’ve also got a pretty big announcement…
While Loughrigg Fell was the first stop on our Ambleside to Keswick venture, we felt like it needed its own episode.
It was also the perfect opportunity to explore Rydal Cave, which thankfully doubled as a shelter from the rain…
Join us on our latest group walk as we do a deep dive into a hill Wainwright considered to be “pre-eminent” with a “wealth of interests and delights” - what’s not to love?
It’s been a while since our last sunset outing, with Sale Fell and Ling Fell being the perfect pair for such a jaunt.
Thankfully, it was worth the wait.
Join us as we discuss building our own cairn, the turmoil of a post-work traffic jam and why this modest duo might just be the Ready Salted crisps of the Wainwrights.
After almost three years, we’re finally heading back to Wasdale to take on a favourite of many - Yewbarrow.
Towering above Wastwater, it’s one of the most recognisable fells in the Lake District and has been near the top of our to-do list for quite some time.
Join us as we relive scrambles, sun and wild swims on what was comfortably one of our favourite days on the hills.
Our latest group walk saw us take on the fine foursome of Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Raise and White Side with a mix of new faces and old friends.
While the weather did its best to make the day difficult, spirits remained suitably high and it was a pleasure to be back on the hills with everyone.
Join us as we chat clag-covered summits, the joys of Keppel Cove and the White Side revelation.
It’s a long-awaited return to Ambleside this week as we take on Wansfell, one of the smaller and more modest Wainwrights.
Even so, it’s a hill that still gives a lot back with the views across Windermere reason enough to venture up.
Join us as we relive our morning on the steep but steady jaunt and discuss fell ponies, the soft spot we developed for Troutbeck and why this is a hike we’d all do again.
What better place to start Series Four than the Langdales - a favourite of all of ours and home to Pike o’ Blisco.
We’ve naturally spent a lot of time in the area but only ever seen the mountain from afar, so it was about time we ventured up.
Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint with the day including an icy scramble, an encounter with some cows and one of the finest summit views we’ve had.
It’s good to be back…
It felt only right that we end Series Three on a classic, and Skiddaw is exactly that.
Towering above Keswick, it’s a route that’s been walked time and time again, with our adventure also taking in Little Man and Bakestall.
It’s an episode with a bit of everything as we battle through sleet and storms, visit the loneliest house in England, and look ahead to Series Four…
Wainwright called Gowbarrow Fell “one of the best-known of Lakeland's lesser heights” and with good reason.
Despite that, there’s an argument to be made that it’s not actually the focal point of the walk, with the mighty Aira Force - a genuine landmark - also vying for the crown.
Thankfully, both are brilliant.
Join us as we relive the outing on an episode which also includes a chat with National Trust ranger, Nic Fish, who talks all things history, waterfalls and the future of the site.
It’s another trio this week as we take on Graystones, Broom Fell and Lord’s Seat on what was a genuinely very enjoyable day in the North Western Fells.
The hike had us on the hills, in the forest and hurling ourselves across becks - a bit of everything on a sun-soaked morning.
Come along for the ride as we do a deep dive into the adventure and also announce details of our first ever giveaway.
Our Glaramara outing was a hike that had a bit of everything, including a venture up the neighbouring Bessyboot.
We navigated through the clouds, scrambled up a soaking wet climb, spent time at a hidden gem of a tarn and came face to face with an old foe.
Join us as we relive a great walk on a grand fell in our first episode of 2023.
It’s Christmas!
To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, we ventured up Great Mell Fell and Little Mell Fell - temporarily rebranded as the Jingle Mell Fells - for some mince pies, Buck’s Fizz and a Secret Santa.
The pair made for a fine outing and were also the perfect spot to record an episode on a hill for the first time.
Join us as we chat summits, stuffing and sleigh bells in a suitably festive episode to see out 2022 a little differently.
Grange Fell is a walk we’ll never forget for all the wrong reasons - it wasn’t long or physically demanding but there was an incident that truly made it one of our toughest days on the hills.
As such, this has become one of our most informative episodes as we do a deep dive in what happened and look at what you can do if you find yourselves in the same situation.
Thankfully, we can laugh about it now so come join us as we relive an outing that started with such optimism and ended with us all standing half naked by the side of the road…
Wainwright believed that “no mountain profile in Lakeland arrests and excites the attention more than that of the Langdale Pikes”.
A walk voted for by you, the listeners, it’s hard to argue - it truly is a stunning area and yet again, you’ve chosen very, very well.
From ancient axe factories to sausage rolls, this episode has a bit of everything as we relive one of our favourite outings yet.
After our first group walk up Great Gable exceeded all expectations, we couldn’t wait for the next one - and it didn’t disappoint.
In what may very well have been the finest weather we’ve ever had, we ventured across Carl Side, Long Side, Ullock Pike and Dodd on a day we never really wanted to end.
A genuine highlight of our Wainwright journey so far, reliving it was a lot of fun and we’re already looking forward to getting back out on the hills with everyone.
The three of us have a history with Grasmoor, with the mountain being a near-miss on our Coledale Horseshoe venture.
We figured it was time to return and did so via Whiteless Pike and Wandope before ending with a dip in Crummock Water.
It was a day that included a couple of hours in the clouds, before ending with a touch of sunburn on what was a classic summer’s outing in the Lakes.
Raven Crag has one of the finest views in the Lakes, so it felt right to start Series Three with this classic.
Dubbed a “tremendous barrier of rock” by Wainwright, it towers above Thirlmere with an imposing presence that you can’t help but take an interest in.
The fell is a fitting one to kickstart our latest run of adventures - it’s a pleasure to be back…
Our Ambleside to Keswick venture tested us all both mentally and psychically during a day of many, many ups and downs.
It took in boulders, bogs, crags and a sunset, with our bumper episode covering the lot and then some.
Come join us for the final time this series as we relive our biggest challenge yet…
Great Gable is as grand as it sounds, so it was the ideal place to have our first group walk.
Spending a day on the hills with you, the listeners, was everything we hoped it would be and more.
Come join us as we relive the venture, which saw us climb five Wainwrights on an outing that included sun, snow and the best flapjacks we’ve ever had.
St Sunday Crag is a prominent feature in the Patterdale skyline and a fell chosen by you, the listeners, for this episode.
The hike had a bit of everything including sun, scrambling and singing. That last one isn’t a joke.
There’s also a contender for someone’s new favourite summit - enjoy!
We’re back in the tents and sleeping bags today for our second wild camp as we spend the night by the ever-glorious Angle Tarn.
It was an amazing adventure at a location voted for by you, the listeners - so, good choice!
There’s plenty to discuss on an episode that includes a sunrise and sunset, hiking and headtorches, water and Wainwrights, and the loudest geese you’ve ever heard in your life…
The Coledale Horseshoe is a huge venture that we did in what can only be described as searing heat.
Some valuable lessons were learned on the day, which turned out to be a real rollercoaster that left quite the lasting impression.
The three of us reliving it is long overdue…
We’re heading North this week to take on Binsey - comfortably one of the shortest walks we've done so far.
However, it still offers some of the finest views you’ll find on a low-lying fell and is ideal for a quick jaunt up and down a Wainwright.
We’re also answering some of your questions as we shed a bit of light on ourselves, our plans and how the podcast came to be!
While Castle Crag may be the smallest of the Wainwrights, it’s a title which has likely helped its popularity soar.
Despite the fell’s height - or lack thereof - it really does pack a punch, with the walk also including a visit to Millican Dalton’s cave.
Come join us as we relive the slate, scree, valleys, views, woodland and rain - it’s quite the adventure.
It’s a double act today as we take on Arthur’s Pike and Bonscale Pike - a pair of fells with real charm, overlooking the mighty Ullswater.
It’s a journey that features bogs, boats, paragliding and a tribute to Wainwright’s long-held love of the lake.
We also reveal some details of the challenge we’ve got lined up for later in the year - it’s all happening this week!
Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag are a magnificent trio, with each one sitting among the 65 highest Wainwrights.
We took on all three on a piping hot day, with the walk proving to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing we’ve done.
The route also includes the latest entry into our list of the Lake District’s finest beds of water, and what a prestigious list it is.
Catbells has the dual honour of being one of the most well-known and easily identifiable Wainwrights.
We wanted to do something a little different with this episode, so set our alarms in time to catch the sunrise, knowing that it would be one of the finest spots in the Lakes for such a sight.
It’s a wonderful walk to start Series Two with and it’s a pleasure to be back reliving these adventures with you all. Enjoy!
Snowdon is a magnificent mountain and attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year - it’s easy to see why.
The three of us climbed the Welsh landmark by taking on the Pyg Track, Miners’ Track and the unforgiving Crib Goch on a day of mixed conditions.
It was too good a journey not to share, so we hope you enjoy this Christmas special before we return to the Wainwrights in January with the launch of series two.
We covered 25 Wainwrights in our first series, taking in the highs, lows and everything in-between of some of the finest fells in the Lakes.
It felt only right that we dive back in for a short episode to talk about our adventures. What was the biggest surprise? Which one are we most likely to do again? Do we think our endeavour will get easier or harder?
There’s also a series-based quiz for good measure, just to see how much attention we actually paid to our own content. It was hit and miss…
Enjoy!
Comfortably one of the most well-known Wainwrights, Helvellyn has earned its place as the star of our series finale.
It was no easy venture, with the walk taking in sun and snow on a day where we covered 18km.
Our first batch of episodes has been a pleasure - let’s go out in style…
It’s about time we had a wild camp - right?
The penultimate episode of the series covers our first night on the hills as we chat about everything we did right and everything we did wrong.
We’ve also got our first guest on, with Russ Moorhouse - better known as amountainbivvy - dropping by to discuss his incredible Wainwright challenge and shed some light on the dos and don’ts of a wild camp.
Enjoy!
Possibly the best-known hill in the country, according to Wainwright, Helm Crag is certainly one of the most recognisable.
It proved to be a fascinating walk that led to a few interesting chats between the three of us - debates were had…
Join us as we re-live this fine, fine venture and shed some light on why it’s held in such high regard!
The Buttermere Blitz - it’s finally here!
We wanted to do something different, difficult and determined, with this 12-hour venture being the answer.
It’s the hardest thing we’ve done - so far - as the three of us pushed ourselves to our limits across a number of Wainwrights.
Enjoy this bumper episode where we relive the ups, downs and everything in-between.
Fleetwith Pike - our latest venture and an absolute gem!
A walk full of twists, turns and surprises, this truly did prove to be one of our favourites.
We’ll also shed some light on our plans for the podcast and the direction we’re taking it - there’s plenty to drink in this week.
Fairfield - the first horseshoe of the podcast!
Taking in eight Wainwrights, this is a route not to be underestimated with plenty of ups and downs across a variety of terrain.
Come join us as we re-live 20km of mixed emotions.
Scafell Pike - the highest of them all!
Perhaps the most well-known of the 214 Wainwrights, reaching the summit was never going to be an easy effort.
So it proved to be, with rivers to ramble, boulders to brave and a week’s worth of weather conditions.
Oh, and we have a guest. It’s all happening!
Pavey Ark via Jack's Rake - our latest venture!
One of the most aesthetically pleasing of the 214 Wainwrights, Pavey Ark almost has to be seen to be believed. However, the best we can do here is tell you about it.
We took two routes up - Jack's Rake and North Rake - so it seems only fair we make it a bumper episode.
Enjoy!
Next up on the list of the 214 - Blencathra!
With its multiple summits, iconic views and prominent position overlooking the gateway to the Lake District, it’s a name you’ll likely be familiar with.
Join us as we discuss our venture on this Wainwright classic.
Haystacks - the first peak of the 214!
It was an interesting venture as we got caught in ridiculous weather, took the wrong path more than once, ate the saddest lunch of all-time and yodelled our way through the chaos.
Enjoy listening to our many, many mistakes.
Welcome!
In this teaser episode of The Wainwright Ramblers we’ll introduce you to the team, talk about why we’re taking on all 214 peaks and give you a sneak preview of our first venture.
We’re looking forward to you coming on this journey with us!