WALKERS have been urged to scale one of the 214 peaks in the Lake District in tribute to the man who helped to bring them into the spotlight.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first walking guides written and illustrated by Alfred Wainwright, who died in 1991.
The Wainwright Society wants to boost membership and help protect the Lake District environment by challenging people to scale at least one of the peaks, which range from the 1,000ft Castle Crag up to the 3,209ft Scafell Pike - England's highest mountain.
People who take up the challenge between May 14 and 21 need to register with The Wainwright Society. This will cost £10 and includes a £3 donation to the Lake District Tourism and Conversation Partnership which raises money for footpath repairs and other environmental projects.
Payment of the fee also includes membership of the Wainwright Society for the rest of 2005. The event is free to existing Wainwright Society members.
The society wants people taking part to write a short report, which will be published in a book along with photographs and drawings by Mr Wainwright.
Broadcaster Eric Robson, who is chairman of both the Wainwright Society and Cumbria Tourist Board, said: "Alfred Wainwright communicated better than any guide book writer the essence of the Lakeland landscape.
"As Wainwright himself put it, a walk in Lakeland is a walk in heaven. We hope the event will not just mark this important anniversary, but also encourage more people to come and find out why the fells and mountains of the Lake District have inspired so many."
To apply for the challenge via the Wainwright website at www.wainwright.org.uk/challenge or by post including a £10 cheque to Peter Linney, Wainwright Society secretary, 3 Beech Close, Farnham, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 9JJ.
