Finishing the Hewitts, aged 74, I felt I wasn’t quite ready to give up. So I needed a new target, and the Simms of England and Wales provided it.
First, the definition. Hewitts are an odd mix – 2000ft (imperial) of elevation, with 30m (metric) of re-ascent. The Simms get around that by having a nice round 600m of elevation with the same 30m of re-ascent, so safely metric throughout. Simms stands, I believe, as an acronym for SIx-hundred Metre Mountains.
Now the difference between 600m and 2000ft is not great; 600m is just over 1968ft. In England, there are only 12 Simms that are not also Hewitts; in Wales, 14. When I had finished my Hewitts, I had already climbed two Simms in each nation – and, annoyingly, been within half a mile or so, sometimes just feet, of a few more. But they are spread nicely across the main hill areas and will provide much enjoyment over the next few years.
No certificate at the end though.
I’ve split them into four groups. The Cumbria page (not Lake District – one of the hills is outside) isn’t ready yet as I’ve not climbed any of the three hills; the Dales & Howgills page only currently links to one, previously-climbed hill; but the Northumberland and Dartmoor pages are complete.