Countrystride

Countrystride #26: Piers Gill - A winter's ascent with Mountain Rescue

...in which we attempt a winter ascent of Lingmell alongside the dramatic chasm and accident blackspot of Piers Gill with Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association chairman and Wasdale team member Richard Warren. As we walk, through increasingly Alpine conditions, we talk about the non-judgemental camaraderie of the teams, rescuing lost dogs and cannabis casualties and why it's so easy to go wrong descending Scafell Pike. Abandoning our summit attempt we discuss the pros and cons of social media and learn about how teams say farewell to those who lose their lives on the fells.

 

• To find out more about the Wasdale team see: www.wmrt.org.uk
• AdventureSmart UK can be found at www.adventuresmart.uk

 

 

Countrystride #25: Smugglers, bombs and Plague Dogs - A walk on Wetherlam

…in which we climb the perennial Coniston favourite from the Tilberthwaite quarries up the breezy ridge of Steel Edge, one of Wainwright’s missing routes. As we stroll, with George Kitching, we discuss Andy Goldsworthy’s sheepfolds, the tricks of Langdale smuggler Lanty Slee, how a WWI Howitzer ended up below the Coniston waves, and an unlikely IRA terror plot to assassinate John Major using Levers Water.

•  You can read George's blog at lakelandwalkingtales.co.uk

  

 

Countrystride #24: Review of 2019 & AW's lost broadcast

…in which we are joined by Lakeland Walker editor John Manning to serve up a selection of our favourite moments from the Countrystride year on the fells. We hear from film maker Terry Abraham about his connection with the high places; we re-wander the great Pennine Way crossing to High Cup; we discuss ongoing battles to retain access; and we pick our best walks of 2019, before closing with an as-yet-unbroadcast interview with fell walking legend Alfred Wainwright as he talks about the road passes of Lakeland.

 

•  You can find John on Twitter @outdoorsmanning

•  With thanks to Ron Scholes for his recording of Alfred Wainwright, and to Chris Butterfield for the digitised version we played.

Countrystride #23: West Coast Christmas - Voices from the past

…in which we walk the sandstone cliffs from St Bees to Whitehaven with author and historian Alan Cleaver. As we stroll, above a millpond-still Irish Sea, we learn about the coast's Mummers' tradition and the ghost ship Mary Jane; we hear bygone memories of snowy winters and diary entries from a Regency-era farm; we discuss the smuggling origins of rum butter; and we sign off with a yuletide letter from the Western Front. 

• Alan’s award-winning book, The Corpse Roads of Cumbria, is available from all good bookshops.
• You can find Alan on Twitter at @thelonningsguy

 

Countrystride #22: Lost Words - Past and future in the woods of Wreay

…in which we follow the gently-meandering River Petteril from an M6 underpass on Carlisle’s urban fringe through Wreay’s ancient woodland to one of Cumbria's most beautiful churches in search of lost words. As we stroll, with Jamie Normington from Cumbria Wildlife Trust, we discuss our changing woodlands, Cumbrian birdlife vernacular, how we can reforge a connection with the landscape, and the remarkable architectural legacy of Sara Losh, first lady of Wreay (pronounced ‘rear’). 

Countrystride #21: Great Gable - Remembrance Sunday

…in which we walk from Honister Pass to the summit of Great Gable in the company of Dr Jonathan Westaway to join the annual Remembrance Sunday service led by the Fell and Rock Climbing Club. As we walk, past the Drum House and over Green Gable, we talk about the pioneering years of British rock climbing, boisterous nights in the Wasdale Head Inn, finding solace on the heights and the dedication of Gable to the nation, before joining the felltop congregation for the act of remembrance.

Countrystride #20: Upper Eden - The fight to roam, with Kate Ashbrook

…in which we follow the River Eden downstream to Kirkby Stephen with leading campaigner in the walking world, Kate Ashbrook, General Secretary of the Open Spaces Society and Chair of the Ramblers. As we head north from Pendragon Castle we discuss the joy of sunrise walks, the never-ending battle to open the countryside and taking Nicholas van Hoogstraten to court.

 

• To find out more about Kate see https://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/about-kate-ashbrook/
  
  
• We're grateful to today's guest producer, Helen Millican from BBC Cumbria, for standing in for Dave. Helen hosts the weekly Great Outdoors Show.
  
  
• For more about the Ramblers 'Don't Lose Your Way' campaign see https://www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/dont-lose-your-way-2026.aspx

Countrystride #19: Pike O’Stickle - 50 years on the fells

...in which to celebrate Countrystride's first birthday producer Dave Felton asks the questions of host Mark Richards, who guides us onto Pike o'Stickle and talks about his journey from Cotswolds farmer to Lakeland guidebook author, his pen-and-ink apprenticeship with Alfred Wainwright, and his lifelong love of walking. Climbing out of Great Langdale, we discuss secret ways onto the iconic Pikes, favourite fells and why home for Mark was always going to be Cumbria.

Countrystride #18: The Pennine Way - Creation of a long, green trail

...In which we walk from Langdon Beck to Dufton along the UK's most iconic National Trail with author and Pennine Way authority Andrew McCloy. As we embrace the big skies of the North Pennines, we discuss Tom Stephenson's tireless access campaigning, consider the highs and lows of the 268-mile walk, theorise over Wainwright's dislike of the Trail and end up spellbound atop the glacial valley of High Cup.

 

 

Andrew's book, The Pennine Way - the Path, the People, the Journey, is available from Cicerone. It comes highly recommended.

Countrystride #17: Beda Fell - with environmental campaigner Amy Bray

...in which we head to Martindale with Amy Bray, the Matterdale teenager who is campaigning around Cumbria to raise awareness of single-use plastic pollution and asking us to consider 'Another Way' of consuming. As we summit Beda Fell we talk about Amy's love for the fells and wild swimming, we discuss steps that communities can take to restore a positive balance with nature – and we're rewarded with a distant glimpse of The Nab's elusive deer herd. 

Countrystride #16: The Dales Way at 50 - A walk down Dentdale

...in which we journey out East to the Cumbrian Dales and the softly-spoken valley of Dentdale to meet Dales Way creator Colin Speakman to celebrate the Way's 50th birthday. As we walk, past wildflower meadows, Tudor cottages and the Dent Brewery, Colin discusses Cowgill's link to royalty, the valley's infamous ('terrible') knitters, the satisfaction of establishing a classic walk – one of the UK's most popular – and local hero Adam Sedgwick.