Penrith Town councillor Ron Kenyon has taken on a new role as a publisher, bringing to life a book that celebrates both adventure and sustainability on the Lake District Fells.
Wainwrights Without a Car that documents an ambitious challenge undertaken by the Eden Valley Mountaineering Club: ascending all 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District without the use of a car. The book not only tells the story of this remarkable yearlong journey but also serves as an invaluable resource for those looking to explore the region using public transport.
The challenge was conceived at the club’s AGM in late 2022, when member Robin Illingworth proposed collectively climbing all the Wainwrights using only sustainable transport—buses, trains, boats, bicycles, and walking. Inspired by Alfred Wainwright himself, who largely relied on public transport when compiling his famed pictorial guides in the 1950s and 60s, the club set out in 2023 to prove that modern-day adventurers can still embrace a car-free approach to exploring the fells.
Throughout the year, the club recorded the details of their ascents as members made their ways by bus, train, boat, bike and foot during the year to ascend the 214 fells detailed in the pictorial guidebooks of Alfred Wainwright.
Recognising the significance of their endeavour, long-time Penrith resident Ron Kenyon saw an opportunity to document the challenge in book form, encouraging more people to leave the car behind and embrace sustainable travel.
Wainwrights Without a Car is more than just a chronicle of the challenge. Rather than being a traditional walking guide, it serves as a comprehensive reference book, providing insights into public transport options, trip planning, and the environmental benefits of reducing car dependency in the Lake District. With visitor numbers rising and car reliance increasing, the book aims to promote alternative ways of accessing the fells, making them more inclusive and environmentally friendly.
As well as advocating for sustainable travel, the book will support local charities, with the majority of its profits being donated to good causes. One-third of the proceeds will go to Fix the Fells, an organisation dedicated to maintaining and repairing footpaths across the Lake District.
Ron Kenyon, has lived in Penrith for most of his life, and is no stranger to publishing. His involvement dates back to 1973, when he and Stewart Wilson produced a rock climbing guide to the Eden Valley. Over the years, Ron has contributed to numerous climbing guides and served as Guidebook Secretary for the Fell and Rock Climbing Club. With a deep passion for the fells, rock climbing, and fell running, Ron was keen to take on the challenge of publishing this book himself, establishing Jagged Lakes Publications to bring it to fruition.
Wainwrights Without a Car is now available for pre-order, with a special discount for early buyers. The book, expected to be released in late February, early March, priced at £20, but pre-orders can enjoy a 20% discount by using the code WWAC20.
Copies will be available through bookshops, online retailers, and directly from Ron’s website, www.jaggedlakes.co.uk
Ron recently spoke about the book at the 10th anniversary celebration of the 106 bus, further promoting the importance of public transport in accessing the fells. As interest in sustainable travel grows, Wainwrights Without a Car provides an inspiring and practical guide for those looking to experience the beauty of the Lake District in a more environmentally conscious way.
For more details and to pre-order the book, visit www.jaggedlakes.co.uk
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
