England’s Everest is a poem about the Bob Graham Round – a traverse of many of the highest and well-known mountains in the Lake District, a scenic national park in the north west of England. First completed by Bob Graham in 1932, the route includes 42 summits, 26,000 feet of ascent, about 62 miles and a time limit of 24 hours. Success is a rare and remarkable achievement.
The poem, England’s Everest, tells a fell-runner’s story. It takes you on a journey around the 42 peaks, capturing the rugged, beautiful, historic and romantic charm attached to the Lake District landscape.
It’s a tribute to Bob Graham and everyone who’s followed, or who hopes to follow, in his foot-steps. It’s a celebration of the human endeavour that makes remarkable achievements possible.
| Section One | Section Two | Section Three | Section Four | Section Five |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skiddaw Great Calva Blencathra |
Clough Head Great Dodd Watson's Dodd Stybarrow Dodd Raise Whiteside Lower Man Helvellyn Nethermost Pike Dollywaggon Pike Fairfield Seat Sandal |
Steel fell Calf Crag High Raise Seargent Man Thunacar Knott Harrison Stickle Pike O' Stickle Rossett Pike Bowfell Esk Pike Great End Ill Crag Broad Crag Scafell Pike Scafell |
Yewbarrow Red Pike Steeple Pillar Kirk Fell Great Gable Green Gable Brandreth Grey Knotts |
Dale Head Hindscarth Robinson |
| 3 summits 5,200 feet 13 miles 4 hours |
3 summits 5,200 feet 13 miles 4 hours |
15 summits 6,500 feet 15 miles 7 hours |
9 summits 6,300 feet 10 miles 5 hours |
3 summits 2,500 feet 11 miles 3 hours |
Bob Graham completed his round in 1932 to mark his 42nd birthday. His record of 42 peaks in 24 hours stood until the 1960s when interest in repeating and extending the 24 hour record began to take off. This led, in 1971, to the formation of the Bob Graham 24 Hour Club. Today, the club provides guidance, keeps records and encourages ever greater achievement in long distance fell-running. Anyone wishing to have their round officially recognised must first register their intent with the club and submit a report on completion. Successful contenders become members of the Bob Graham 24 Hour Club.