A path, described by the author Alfred Wainwright as a classic ascent route in the Lake District, is to be repaired with money raised by The Wainwright Society.
The Wainwright Society has chosen Fix the Fells, the body that repairs upland paths in the Lake District as the main beneficiary of its fundraising during 2017.
The money will be used to repair Long Stile, the final ascent on to the summit of High Street in the Far Eastern Fells, between Ullswater and Haweswater. Alfred Wainwright, who wrote seven Pictorial Guides to the Lake District fells, considered this ascent from Mardale to be the finest way to the summit.
He wrote: ‘The ridge of Rough Crag and the rocky stairway of Long Stile together form the connoisseur’s route up High Street, the only route that discloses the finer characteristics of the fell. The ascent is a classic, leading directly along the crest of a long, straight ridge that permits of no variation from the valley to the summit. The views are excellent throughout.”
The scree ascent of Long Stile has suffered much erosion in recent years and is now in need of a stone-pitched path to stop it getting worse. The land on either side of the path also needs to be repaired and protected from further damage. This will require stone to be brought in by helicopter, which will add to the cost of the repair. The work is scheduled to be undertaken during 2018.
Joanne Backshall, Fix the Fells Programme Manager, said: ‘We are delighted that The Wainwright Society is being so generous and supporting our vital work to protect some of the most beautiful parts of the Lake District. It will allow us to repair a popular route that was loved by Alfred Wainwright and mean that generations to come can enjoy it as well.”