Which Wainwright fell?

[loopyapp]

Hello everyone!!

I hope someone can help me.

My eldest is going into year 8 in Sept and they've been given a list of challenges to complete in readiness for next year.

One of them is to walk a Wainwright fell. I am a single parent of 4, two of which have a wide variety of additional needs and the youngest is only one.

Are there any of them that can be feasably done with a baby in a sling on my bacl, an ADHD 10 year old and a 6 year old with well medicated epilepsy and Arnold chiari malformation (he fatigues quite quickly and is prone to pain in his arms and legs).

Thanks in advance folks.

Loughrigg Fell is one we've done with our DC when they were younger I think they were 8 and 10. Not done it with a baby but there were plenty of younger children on the day we walked. I think it's one of the smaller ones

Catbells, Helm Crag, Latrigg, Loughrigg allstraightforward walks, although I always take Lakes beginners up Wansfell Pike as a first "mountain". DS2 did it the week he turned 4, just up from Stockgyll Falls in Ambleside and back down the way we went. Or it's a really good walk down into Troutbeck and then you can go down to the road and get either a bus or a boat back from Brockhole, or walk back along the coffin trail.

Still a tough day on your own with little ones though.

Catbells is the best known 'family' fell.

Though personally I think schools have no place burdening families with 'homework' of this sort and you'd be more than entitled to ignore it!

In fact the more I think about this the crosser it makes me. For families who are working / busy / no transport / other challenges such as additional needs, it is pointless guilt inducement and favours well-off middle-class families who are more able to access the outdoors.

I'd either ignore or get him to eg research and make a PowerPoint / poster about the fells or Wainwright.

Binsey is probably the easiest. Latrigg , loughrigg and Dodd also easy. Walla Crag.

Catbells is a popular one but is a little scrambly in places so maybe not the best with the younger two? I’ve certainly done it with a baby in a back carrier so not that bad but I didn’t also have a 6yo and a 10yo.

Thank you so much everyone for your help and suggestions!!

I wont deny I was a little flabbergasted when I read it.

Its a very long list with a fair few challenges that challenge me more than him!!

They've placed enormous incentive on the kids to do them all with a big chat thread on teams. He is DETERMINED to have a full check list.

No idea how I'll help him achieve them all but as you say, mum guilt means I'll try damn hard.

If all his friends are doing it, and he's determined, I'd send him off with one of them for the day as the next best option ;)

Not alone with a friend I mean! But with another family that don't have younger DC they'd have to take along. Maybe ask on the group chat?

Lattrig is pretty easy and the view from the top is fab. I've done it a couple of times with a baby or toddler on my back and my son walked it aged 3.

We're actually planning on trying Catbells this week, first time doing it with the kids (now 8 and 5). It's a big step up from Latrigg and I personally wouldn't have fancied it with a sling.

Catbells is, I think, the easiest and safest with younger children. It’s practically a motorway in summer from Hawes End.
We’ve done it with babies in carrier. I think the approach via Newlands is easier. Plenty of places to stop and paddle or collect slime in the streams. You can see Mrs Tiggywinkle’s cave and there’s a natural rest at the saddle.
That said if you take the launch to Hawks end, you don’t need to fret about parking and can promise an ice cream when they return.

However, that was a we not an I. I’m not sure it’s safe to do it as a lone adult with four children including an epileptic child. Despite being lower than some, and busier, if you get a twisted ankle or the child has a seizure, there could be difficulties that you can’t cope with. If you are in the Lakes with a group you might be better staying behind with the baby and just sending him off with another family. It’s quite a big ask for a family.

The alternative would be to perhaps walk around the lake from Nichol End to Hawes End in the shadow of Catbells. If you want to get up higher without risk, drive to Watendlath. It’s not quite the same age and wonder, but much more manageable on your own and gives a taste of what Wainwright felt.

Yes, Latrigg would perhaps be simpler.

Catbells will be like the m25 at the minute, bindery that someone mentioned earlier is a good shout, it's out of the way so won't be many tourists about. It's lovely wide grassy banks so great if you have several DC with you.

*Binsey

Barrow fell is good too, you can park at the school in Branthwaite

OFGS Braithwaite not Branthwaite!!

I know you asked for fella but Old Man Coniston is just a path (this is more of a mountain though)

Fell not fella 🤣

@LemonRoses

Catbells is, I think, the easiest and safest with younger children. It’s practically a motorway in summer from Hawes End. We’ve done it with babies in carrier. I think the approach via Newlands is easier. Plenty of places to stop and paddle or collect slime in the streams. You can see Mrs Tiggywinkle’s cave and there’s a natural rest at the saddle. That said if you take the launch to Hawks end, you don’t need to fret about parking and can promise an ice cream when they return.

However, that was a we not an I. I’m not sure it’s safe to do it as a lone adult with four children including an epileptic child. Despite being lower than some, and busier, if you get a twisted ankle or the child has a seizure, there could be difficulties that you can’t cope with. If you are in the Lakes with a group you might be better staying behind with the baby and just sending him off with another family. It’s quite a big ask for a family.

The alternative would be to perhaps walk around the lake from Nichol End to Hawes End in the shadow of Catbells. If you want to get up higher without risk, drive to Watendlath. It’s not quite the same age and wonder, but much more manageable on your own and gives a taste of what Wainwright felt.

This is my main concern. DS3 is a physically capable and eager child whom hasnt had a seizure in over 2 years. However up a big hill over an hour away from home seems like a mental place to test that out. However he routinely reminded me that his disabilities are just different abilities. He refuses to be held back.

Add to which DS2 just doesn't recognise or risk assess danger as part of his ADHD.

DS4 is 1 and breastfed. A total Velcro baby and HATES being left.

My family. Are hapless and try to make a show of being supportive all while being ..the opposite. Their dad works 50/60 hour weeks and is regularly on call. I just dont cant see a way around this.

@Dogmum40

I know you asked for fella but Old Man Coniston is just a path (this is more of a mountain though)

I thought about the Old man. Ive done it pre children and recall it being quite easy but I was young and fit and not carrying a 1 year old on my back hah!!!

Catbells is scrambly. I don't think it is the easiest as there are times when you need three points of contact. Hallin Fell is a good one with beautiful views of Ullswater. You can park quite a way up at St Peters Church and then walk up the grass hill. We went up with kids in the back pack. Walla Crag is also an easy one and Latrigg can be even easier as you can drive nearly all the way up!. I'd go for Hallin as your kids will have a sense of achievement and it really is lovely

You’re not even local? Makes the homework even more unreasonable 😡

Also agree with pp about Dodd and Binsey.

@LemonRoses is right. You absolutely need more than 1 adult to do this safely. Preferably an experienced fell walker. I really want to say 'you'll be alright on Loughrigg, plenty of people around' but the more I think about it the more I think no, no, no. What about aiming for a lake tarn, pass, waterfall or view point you can drive up to? Ask the school to deem it equivalent to a fell.

Loopy we are local and if you can get the gang up to Ullswater this week (we are on holiday) we will meet you at St Peters Church and walk with you up Hallin. Direct message me if you want to

@Stillgoings

Loopy we are local and if you can get the gang up to Ullswater this week (we are on holiday) we will meet you at St Peters Church and walk with you up Hallin. Direct message me if you want to

Thank you so much!! We live in carnforth so not too far at all. The boys can have a kayak in Ulswater after, only thing is I have no idea how to read messages on the app lol

I think I've sent you a message. Has anything popped up?