The Wainwright Ramblers - podcast cover

The Wainwright Ramblers

Lance, Matt and Nickwww.buzzsprout.com
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.
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Episodes

S5E7 - Place Fell

It’s been a while but you’ll be pleased to know that Place Fell is absolutely worth the wait. Our latest group walk was, as ever, a treat from start to finish as we ventured high into the clouds to one of the rockiest tops the Lakes has to offer. Join us as we discuss the mystery cave, relive the massive anvil, and weigh up a potential new name for this glorious Wainwright.

Nov 05, 202541 min

S5E6 - Whinlatter

Plenty of Lake District regulars will be familiar with Whinlatter Pass but the Wainwright of the same name is comfortably a more enjoyable experience. It wasn’t the original plan for this outing but some typically bad weather saw us head here at the last minute - and it proved to be a great call. Join us as we relive a hike that packed quite a punch, with its mixture of woodland, a Gruffalo, red squirrels and snippets of history keeping us thoroughly entertained.

May 28, 202539 min

S5E5 - High Rigg

After a mini mid-series break, we’re back at it with a hike up, down and round High Rigg. While it may be one of the smaller Wainwrights, it more than holds its own in the company of much loftier neighbours, with this short but sweet winter jaunt proving to be an absolute joy. Join us as we relive our adventure and see why the man himself described this outing as a “splendid little expedition, admirably suited to old and rickety fellwalkers long past their best”.

Apr 09, 202533 min

S5E4 - Knott Rigg & Ard Crags

While Knott Rigg and Ard Crags may not be among the most well-known Lake District fells, the delightful duo are absolutely worth having on your radar. One of the two also has the privilege of having a fairly unique Wainwright quote written about it - you’ll have to hear it to believe it. Join us as we relive a glorious evening on the hills, chat all things Newlands Pass and have one of the biggest distance-to-content ratio discrepancies of all-time.

Jan 29, 202542 min

S5E3 - Stone Arthur

Stone Arthur is something of an overshadowed Wainwright but can serve as a cracking little standalone jaunt or the gateway to a big day on the fells. Either way, we’d recommend getting yourselves up there and drinking in all it has to offer - including that stunning view over Grasmere and Easedale Tarn. Join us as we relive a sunset adventure that saw us tackle an abomination of bracken and led to a heated debate on the true definition of an in-and-out.

Nov 20, 202441 min

S5E2 - Hallin Fell

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....

Sep 25, 202442 min

S5E1 - Scafell Pike (via the Corridor Route)

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!...

Aug 21, 20241 hr 12 min

S4E10 - Mellbreak

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.

Dec 27, 202348 min

S4E9 - Lingmoor Fell

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.

Dec 13, 202351 min

S4E8 - Carrock Fell

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....

Nov 22, 202344 min

S4E7 - Kirkstone Pass to Pooley Bridge

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…

Oct 25, 202356 min

S4E6 - Loughrigg Fell

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?

Oct 04, 202337 min

S4E5 - Sale Fell & Ling Fell

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.

Sep 13, 202333 min

S4E4 - Yewbarrow

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.

Aug 23, 202351 min

S4E3 - Raise

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.

Aug 02, 202349 min

S4E2 - Wansfell

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.

Jul 19, 202328 min

S4E1 - Pike o’ Blisco

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…

Jun 28, 202335 min

S3E10 - Skiddaw

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…

Mar 01, 202348 min

S3E9 - Gowbarrow Fell

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....

Feb 15, 202341 min

S3E8 - Lord’s Seat

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.

Jan 25, 202339 min

S3E7 - Glaramara

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.

Jan 12, 202352 min

S3E6 - Jingle Mell Fells

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.

Dec 19, 20221 hr 1 min

S3E5 - Grange Fell

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 into 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 s...

Dec 07, 202248 min

S3E4 - Langdale Pikes

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.

Nov 16, 202250 min

S3E3 - Longside Edge

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.

Nov 02, 202242 min

S3E2 - Grasmoor

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.

Oct 12, 202249 min

S3E1 - Raven Crag

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…

Sep 26, 202242 min

S2E10 - Ambleside to Keswick

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…

May 24, 20221 hr 5 min

S2E9 - Great Gable

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.

May 11, 202249 min

S2E8 - St Sunday Crag

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!

Apr 27, 202236 min
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