On Thursday, 4th June, Access the Dales is taking on a very special challenge, helping three incredible young people reach the summit of Whernside, the highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
For many people, standing on the summit of Whernside is a memorable achievement. The views across the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding countryside are spectacular, and reaching the top after a demanding climb brings a huge sense of accomplishment. However, for young people with mobility challenges, opportunities like this are often out of reach.
That is exactly why this event matters so much.
Using specialist Paratreker all-terrain wheelchairs, our team will support three young people to experience the adventure, achievement, and freedom of reaching the summit for themselves. These manual all-terrain wheelchairs are specially designed to travel across rough and uneven ground, making mountain routes more accessible. But they require teamwork, determination, and a large group of volunteers to operate safely.
We are now looking for volunteers to join us for this inspiring challenge.
The Challenge
The group will take the stile-free route from Dent up to the summit of Whernside. Although this route is more accessible than others, it is still a mountain environment with steep sections, uneven terrain, and changing weather conditions.
Each Paratreker wheelchair requires a team of volunteers to help push and pull across the route. Depending on the terrain, this can take between two and four people at a time. Volunteers will also help support the young people walking sections of the route and provide encouragement throughout the day.
This is very much a team effort, and every volunteer will play an important role in making the challenge possible.
Why We Need Volunteers
To safely support the three wheelchairs and the wider group, we need at least 15 volunteers on the day.
You do not need previous mountain leadership experience or specialist qualifications to take part. We simply ask that volunteers are reasonably fit, enthusiastic, supportive, and prepared for a day outdoors in the hills.
The walk itself will be led by Jonathan Smith, a qualified Mountain Leader and trained Outdoor First Aider, who will be responsible for guiding the route and ensuring the safety of the group.
All adults directly responsible for the children are DBS checked. Volunteers are not required to hold DBS checks, as no volunteer will ever be left alone with a child from the group.
More Than Just a Walk
This challenge is about much more than reaching a summit.
It is about inclusion, opportunity, confidence, and showing that the outdoors should be accessible to everyone. For the young people taking part, this could be a life-changing experience — a chance to achieve something many people would never imagine possible.
Outdoor adventures build confidence, friendships, resilience, and independence. They create memories that last a lifetime. With the support of volunteers, we can help ensure these opportunities are available to all young people, regardless of physical ability.
Event Information
• Location: Whernside, Yorkshire Dales
• Route: Stile-free route from Dent
• Start Time: 11:00am
• Arrival Time: 10:30am
• Please bring: Packed lunch, water, and suitable outdoor clothing and footwear
Parking in the area is limited, and we are currently working to organise parking arrangements for volunteers.