About Us

"Man must have a purpose in life" said Wallace during one of his philosophical musings whilst ascending Ullock Pike. The three of us, all keen walkers, had been walking the Lake District for many years purely for pleasure (and real ale) but without seeming purpose. So perhaps here, beneath our feet, was the very opportunity to fulfill man's quest for purpose and self-actualisation. Like an epiphany we suddenly remembered Alfred Wainwright the great walker and chronicler of the Lake District fells. Hell, why don't we walk the Wainwrights? So the idea was born that we would collectively bag all 214 Wainwright Fells. However, we didn't want our venture to be open ended, and besides, Wallace wanted to achieve purpose in his life by the time he reached 60. So we signed up to walking the Wainwrights by Wallace's 60th birthday.

We realised that our quest would throw up many challenges. Not least that the closer Wallace got to 60 the more we would need to look for wheelchair-friendly fell walks and the ready availability of St Johns Ambulance. Nevertheless, we are sure that such challenges will be overcome.

But what about the hip flask. Well, he's our fourth essential companion. Old gimps of our advancing years nead more than just feelings of self-fulfillment to get up the hills so the hip flask provides a welcome tot on the way up. And down. Our rules are very simple: (a) we all have to bag each fell at the same time and (b) we have to be accompanied by our hip flask.

Of course, we are all in awe of the iconic Alfred Wainwright (so much so that Lee has started to dress in tweed jacket, cap and pipe) so if you would like to know more about the great man, go to our Wainwrights page or Links section.

Wallace

Wallace, or 'Jean-Paul' is the cultural/philosophical life force of the trio. An intellectual big-hitter (or so he tells us) Wallace is the only man who can talk Sartre on Skiddaw, Dostoevsky on Dodd, Existentialism on Eel Crag and complete Boll***s on Blencathra. In his day job, Wallace is apparently a big noise in the criminal justice system although is hoping for early release soon. Wallace lives in Newcastle and is a long-suffering supporter of Newcastle United. He also a very enthusiastic road cycling fan (watching it not doing it).

Lee

Lee, known as 'Tracker' is the group's navigational expert. Trained in navigational skills by Mark Thatcher, this man can read a map back to front and upside down. If only the bugger could read it the right way up we might not get lost so often. Lee works in local government (now there's an oxymoron, Ed) as some sort of Policy Wonk he claims or perhaps that was a typo? Lee is a very keen road cyclist which is a pity as he's obviously never seen how bad he looks in lycra. Lee lives in Newcastle and also supports Newcastle United but only when they win apparently.

Dean

Dean, or 'Lance' is the sports science expert responsible for maintaining the group in, er, top physical condition. With his cyclists legs (to match his radio presenter's face) Dean is a massive road/mountain biking fanatic with more bikes than Halfords. Dean says he works in the legal field but is loathe to expand on that so it must be dodgy. Dean lives in Ovingham in the Tyne Valley.