In the world of mountain literature, one award stands head and shoulders over all the others in terms of status and glory. The Banff Mountain Book Competition Awards, based in Canada, have long been held as the gold standard seal of approval; the Olympics, the Oscars, the Mount Everest of climbing. A victory here is a proud nod towards anyone’s work.

Lake District Rock is a joint effort between the FRCC, the Lakes-based climbing club and publishers of that great area’s definitive guides, and Wired, a collaborative group of guidebook-producing clubs that was set up in 2014 with the aim of providing the best selective guides to the UK. The aim seems to be working; it is with great pleasure that we announce that this year Wired’s Lake District Rock has scooped the prestigious Guidebook award at Banff.

“Frankly I’m stunned,” said Peter Sterling, one of the book’s main creators upon hearing the news. “I mean, you sit in a darkened room beavering away on these things in your own little world. You do your best, and you might worry if the public will like it or not like it, or if it will sell or not. But to win an award like this – you just couldn’t imagine it. It’s fantastic!”

GET IT: Order Lake District Rock from the BMC shop now to see what all the fuss is about.

Wired’s publication saw off some stiff competition, including the fabulous The Dolomites: Rock Climbs and Via Ferrata from Rockfax and Rock Climbing in Ireland from Three Rock Books. And it is a great shot in the arm to Wired’s selective guidebook programme.

The chairman of Wired, Steve Andrews, has said that “it is wonderful news for the first Wired book and bodes well for the series, all from the Fell & Rock who worked so hard to produce the guide are to be thanked for their voluntary efforts in its production, a wonderful tribute to Lake District Climbing. The BMC are to be especially thanked for their support in the foundation of the Wired Co-operative of guidebook producers. The climbing public can look forward to more guides from us in the near future.”

In summing up Lake District Rock, competition jury member Victor Saunders said: "The route descriptions are enticing and informative. And, of course, there is a sprinkling of inspirational photographs to get you going just in case you have missed the point of climbing in this beautiful part of England. This guide book is a classic of the genre, get it and climb in the Lakes - you won't be disappointed."

Lake District Rock joins previous winners at Banff including Burbage, Millstone and Beyond and Revelations as evidence that UK guidebooks are the best in the world. 

GET IT: Order Lake District Rock from the BMC shop.

WATCH: BMC Ambassador James McHaffie solo one hundred Lake District Extremes in a day on BMC TV

As the climbing walls, crags and mountains start to open, we wanted to say thanks to every BMC member who supported us through the Coronavirus crisis.

From weekly Facebook Lives and GB Climbing home training videos, to our access team working to re-open the crags and fight for your mountain access, we couldn’t have made it without you.

If you liked what we did, then tell your friends about us: www.thebmc.co.uk/join

« Back