The Challenge

The X Lakes Challenge is a ‘hike and fly’ event that will be run in June 2024. Its aim is for entrants to experience the wonders of the English Lake District and to do so by ‘bagging’ as many of the 1,000-foot Wainwright Fells as possible, either by foot or paraglider.

Pilots must pre-register but if there is availability can change category up to the point of registration on the Thursday evening prior to the two day challenge.

All competitors will be welcomed to registration at 17:00 followed by the event briefing at 19:30 on the Thursday evening. During the briefing local weather and routing information will be discussed by a Task Committee drawn from the participants including discussion of one day routes for the prevailing conditions.

Safety :

There maybe a compulsory safety briefing for the one and two day challenge which is typically held at 07:30 on Friday morning. Participants will be informed by the X-Lakes official telegram group if required. At any time during the competition equipment may be spot-checked.

Social and Prize-giving:

Dependent on attendance and weather conditions there may be informal talks/discussions held at the event HQ on some of the following subjects:

Lightweight and Vol-Biv gear
Wilderness medicine and First-Aid
Selection and use of personal trackers and GPS beacons
Local ‘hike and fly’ videos
Guest Speakers

On the Saturday at 18:00 there will be a free meal/Barbeque, raffle and prize-giving to which all participants and their supporters are invited.

Trophies are awarded for the winner of each challenge event with prizes for runners up.