A three-year-old boy from Kendal is believed to be on course to become the youngest person to complete all 214 Wainwrights after walking 176 of the Lake District fells himself.

Navy Moores has already covered more than 374 miles and climbed almost 170,000 feet in ascent. He has taken on the challenge alongside his father Daniel Moores, mother Leanne Helm, six-year-old brother Oliver Moores and 14-year-old sister Jessica Helm.

The family hopes to finish the remaining summits by the end of September. Among the fells still to come are Scafell Pike and several more rocky routes.

A family challenge that began in 2020

The Moores family have been hiking together since 2020. Their shared experience inspired them to tackle the Wainwrights together this year, with Navy walking every summit himself rather than being carried.

Daniel, 35, who is a cyclist and mountaineer, said the project began after Navy showed he wanted to walk independently.

“Navy wanted to be out hiking and not stuck in a carrier, that’s kind of how it started and we did a few Wainwrights that he walked himself.”

The family then decided to record the walks because Navy was capable of completing them on foot. They believe the current youngest person to complete the Wainwrights was aged four years and 10 months, meaning Navy could set a new mark if he finishes the challenge.

However, Daniel said the family’s main aim was not to pursue a record, but to take on a recognised challenge together and encourage other people to spend time outdoors.

“But from our perspective, it’s not about him getting a record, it’s about doing something that other people recognise as a challenge and sharing those experiences with other people to encourage them to go out and do the same as us.”

Preparing for weather, terrain and changing routes

Daniel said the family has had to adapt to weather, difficult terrain and days that take longer than expected. They organise routes in advance, then consider the forecast and how Navy is feeling before deciding what will work on the day.

“We have our routes pre-organised, so we can look at the weather and look at how Navy is feeling and figure out what will work.”

Navy knows he is on track to become the youngest finisher, although Daniel said he does not fully understand what that means. The family is not pushing him to complete the challenge and is allowing him to guide the process.

Daniel said Navy’s favourite part of a hike is usually the descent. He celebrates reaching the summit, but particularly enjoys running down grassy slopes on some of the Far Eastern Fells. Rockier mountains can make descents more challenging, although he continues to enjoy them.

Wildlife is another important part of the walks. Navy enjoys seeing animals, recognises deer tracks and different plants and trees, and has begun identifying places he has visited before.

Confidence gained on the fells

Daniel said the experience has brought a marked improvement in Navy’s confidence, walking speed and ability to navigate uneven ground. The family still watches his steps closely, but says he has become more agile and better able to handle the terrain himself.

“The improvement we’ve seen in him is massive, we’re walking faster and his confidence in navigating terrain has massively changed.”

Daniel said walking with children requires a different approach from hiking alone. Parents must understand what children can manage, prepare carefully and remain alongside them, even when they have mountain experience themselves.

Navy has also become an ambassador for The Outdoor Guide, a digital walking platform and foundation co-founded by television presenter Julia Bradbury.

As the family works towards its final Wainwrights, Daniel hopes their experience will encourage more families to explore the fells safely and more often.

“One thing that we want to help promote is families and children getting outdoors safely and more often and not being afraid of getting outdoors.”

The family’s remaining challenge includes some of the Lake District’s more demanding summits, with the Moores hoping to complete the Wainwrights by the end of the month.