W.A. Poucher with a Leica

[kenneth]

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landscape and natural history photography by peter truman

 

Like most young people interested in mountains and climbing in the 60's I devoured books on British Mountains by people like Norman Poucher who, I found was an avid Leica user. Using the latest technology as it came along he mainly used a 35mm- 50mm and 90mm lenses attached to his latest Leica body. His books on The Lakeland Mountains- Scottish Mountains- Peaks and Pennines showed his route recommendations but he always prefaced his books with an article on Mountain Photography. Here is another link to his pictures of Ennerdale Untitled Document

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[andybarton]

That's almost exactly the route I took the last time I did Great Gable (we came from the Honister Slate Mine, up on the left of this photo)

 

Very interesting. Thanks Kenneth.

[kenneth]

it has to be said that Mr Poucher and Mr Wainwright singlehandedly did more environment destruction by publishing their works on routes up the Lakeland peaks and Pennine hills than can be imagined had they not otherwise done so. The huge scars that track across the Fells are not one of the regions best attributes. Scotland, on the other hand has fared better possibly because of the Right to Roam legislation although even some of the more regularly visited Munros have not escaped

[andybarton]

Rubbish. Show me these scars on any of the photographs linked to above.

 

Are you one for an "elitist only" access to the hills then, Kenneth?

 

I believe that the "huge scars" (your words, not mine) are for the National Trust and National Parks to manage. But not by preventing ordinary folk from benefiting and enjoying access to the most beautiful part of the country.

 

I walk in the Lake District regularly. While there are parts that are very popular and crowded, even on a fine Spring day, you can still fine solitude and silence - even on a slope shown in the photograph above. When we were there, we were the only humans visible for miles. I checked with the Ultravids. It's a real privilege. And not one to be denied ordinary folk.

[kenneth]

Rubbish. Show me these scars on any of the photographs linked to above.

 

Are you one for an "elitist only" access to the hills then, Kenneth?

 

I believe that the "huge scars" (your words, not mine) are for the National Trust and National Parks to manage. But not by preventing ordinary folk from benefiting and enjoying access to the most beautiful part of the country.

 

I walk in the Lake District regularly. While there are parts that are very popular and crowded, even on a fine Spring day, you can still fine solitude and silence - even on a slope shown in the photograph above. When we were there, we were the only humans visible for miles. I checked with the Ultravids. It's a real privilege. And not one to be denied ordinary folk.

 

But unless you are an environmental campaigner you are hardly likely to take pictures of scars, and yes, I stand by that word and like you I am entitled to my opinion or is it moderators prerogative?

[kenneth]

This is another link to some superb early pictures of Ennerdale including some of W.A.Poucher Wild Ennerdale and also this link which focuses on the Peak and Pennines landscape and natural history photography by peter truman and the enclosed is another of W.A. Poucher talents but we will not hold that against him

 

Also now out of print but still available on line in the superb book Camera on the Crags which has some fabulous plates taken by the Abraham's Bros. and a worthy addition to anyones mountain library

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[elansprint72]

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Waaal.... I kind of agree about the great disservice that Alfred Wainwright has done to the Lake District; this miserable old fart complained about "tourists in open-toed sandles" trampling all over "his Lake District" yet has probably done more than any other person to invite folks not born in that area to trample all over "his fells". As a Westmerian I would have to say that I consider him (from down South, in Blackburn) to be an in-comer.

Similarly, the "great" Fred Dibnah possibly did more to destroy the industrial heritage of the NW of England than any other single person, yet made a later career out of bemoaning the loss of that very "heritage" (whatever that word means).

As for Poucher, this Southern Jessie recorded and outstanding number of fabulous images in The Lakes and elsewhere, I've owned his books since the late 60's and will not hear a word said against him.

[andybarton]

But unless you are an environmental campaigner you are hardly likely to take pictures of scars, and yes, I stand by that word and like you I am entitled to my opinion or is it moderators prerogative?

 

 

Of course not.

 

And apologies for not including "IMHO" in my response above.

[pgk]

it has to be said that Mr Poucher and Mr Wainwright singlehandedly did more environment destruction by publishing their works on routes up the Lakeland peaks and Pennine hills than can be imagined had they not otherwise done so. The huge scars that track across the Fells are not one of the regions best attributes. Scotland, on the other hand has fared better possibly because of the Right to Roam legislation although even some of the more regularly visited Munros have not escaped

 

This post made me pull out Poucher's "Wales" which contains many Snowdonian images (I live half a mile outside this National Park's boundary). A lot of these are instantly recognisable today and changes, if any, are often subtle. By popularising such areas and illustrating their inherent 'natural' beauty, Poucher may well have actually helped with their conservation by making many people aware of areas which needed to be cared for and swinging opinion towards retaining their features. Erosion due to visitors is always going to be a problem with a population as high as we have on our small island, but at least it is now being managed and who is to say that the works of Poucher have not contributed to ensuring that steps are now taken to deal with erosion. And don't think that because Poucher photographed somewhere that hordes have visited it! I often walk out from my house into the Snowdonian foothills (Carneddau) in an evening and see very few if an other people - surprising but true!

 

On an aside, my father once met Poucher (and his Leica) in the hills of Snowdonia, and told the tale of Poucher and his Leica and, apparently there was some talk of 'make-up' of some description - just what this was I will now never know as my father is no longer alive! My father remained impressed with the Leica due to this meeting and owned two Leicas during his life - I would guess almost certainly due to it.

[honcho]

..... I devoured books on British Mountains by people like Norman Poucher who,

 

So did I, and still do, but they were all written by William Arthur Poucher, mountaineer, author, photographer and perfumier.

[wizard]

I did Great Gable just a few weeks ago. We started from Wastwater, Wastwater Head to be precise, and I did not notice any "huge scars". At least I wouldn't call a way leading up into the mountains a huge scar. It is just a sign of an inhabited planet. Liked the area very much.

 

Andy, if you started from the Honister Slate Mine (which I remember to be at the top of Honister pass) you saved yourself most of the hiking-up, did you? Clever move

 

Kind regards,

 

Andy

[Guest rontr6]

A lot of the 'scars' [ie paths to most normal people] were there long before Watty Poucher or Wainwright started tramping hills, they were originally made by shepherds in the higher regions [as were the cairns]and pack horses in the lower ones.

Wainwright actually did the Lake District a favour, a lot of tourists bought his books and stuck only to his main routes which left a very large majority of the area unmolested.

If you want to go hill walking in a largely unpathed area,try the Galloway Hills in SW Scotland, only problem is they are nowhere near as photogenic as the Lake District ones.

Ron