Alan Hinkes, left, toasts the anniversary on Great Gable with volunteer ranger David Tyson
A record-breaking British mountaineer combined his two loves to mark the Lake District’s volunteers’ 60 years of service.
Alan Hinkes, the only Briton to have climbed all the world’s 8,000m peaks, led a walk to the summit of Great Gable where he toasted the volunteers with a pint of specially brewed beer.
Yorkshire climber Hinkes, who is a strong supporter of the Lake District national park, cracked open a bottle of Park Your Thirst on the 899m (2,949ft) summit to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the park’s volunteer service.
He said: “It is fantastic to combine two of my loves: walking one of the Lake District’s greatest mountains whilst launching a beer which will support the national park.”
Lake District volunteer co-ordinator Tim Duckmanton said Great Gable was a fitting place to commemorate an action force driven by loyalty, dedication and pride. The summit is marked by a memorial to Fell and Rock Climbing Club members who died in the First World War.
He said the 60th anniversary was a cause not just of celebration, but of reflection too.
Mr Duckmanton said: “It is incredible to think back to 1954 when a small group got together to litter pick at Whitemoss Common.
“The breadth and scope of what over 500 volunteers do each year is incalculable. Their achievements are huge, ranging from practical maintenance to leading guided walks, data collection to supporting office-based staff and a raft of jobs in between.
“We couldn’t work the way we do without our amazing volunteers, so this really is cheers to them.
“It was the volunteers themselves who wanted a uniquely crafted beer so a glass could be raised to six decades of amazing work and contributions.”
The beer has been produced by the Keswick Brewing Company.
Alan Hinkes said: “On behalf of the millions who treasure the Lake District and all it stands for, I salute these selfless people who do so much to protect and enhance it.”
The mountaineer, who also a real ale enthusiast and regular Camra contributor, described the golden beer Park Your Thirst as ‘the most perfect refreshing post-walk pint and added it was a fitting tribute to a gold-star service.
