Ghyll scrambling.canyoning session in the Lake District, Church Beck, Coniston, August 11th 2010

Sarah & Graeme Brooks found the Kendal Mountaineering Services when looking for a canyoning adventure in the Lake District and liked what they saw. As they were staying in south lakeland, Iain suggested that Church Beck might be a fitting option and and met them and their children Corey & Caitlin at Coniston on what was another showery Lake District day; although it didn't matter about the weather - we were going to get wet anyway!

Having done the upstream ghyll scrambling section as far as the chockstone pitch, Iain & the party headed up to the top, got harnesses on; and headed downstream and this first picture of the family is just downstream from the first lower - on the way to Miner's Bridge.


The second photo shows Caitlin about to be lowered down the second waterfall on their canyoning adventure whilst Graeme looks on. Water levels were moderate despite the many showers we have had here in the Lake District over the last week and certainly were much lower than when Iain had been in the Ghyll the previous weekend with another group.

Picture No3 shows a nice view of the waterfall that is the scene of the second lower during the canyoning descent of church beck. The tree growing out of the right hand bank immediately above the top of the fall is that used for the anchor by instructors when lowering individuals who trend left in this view down the l/h side of the fall to the bottom.

Anyway, having gotten all family members down, Iain felt this would be a nice addition to their picture album of the event - we always give clients copies of any pictures taken during any activity they take with us.

In the final shot, Sarah slides off the chockstone into the pool below. Doing the Church Beck jumps was quite a challenge for Sarah but she did very well along with the rest of the family who were all very satisfied with their Lake District ghyll scrambling & canyoning session. Anyway, we exited the gorge by the next safe point and headed back to the vehicles to get changed and enjoy the hot drink provided by Kendal Mountaineering Services.

Iain has seen all sorts of goings on in Church Beck but it was only Graeme's comments about the group following us that made him realise that their instructor - a well known local individual, was encouraging his group members to slide down the chockstone pitch head first! Iain has considerable misgivings about the wisdom & safety of tackling this pitch this way and would certainly not have allowed it himself! You can always be assured of a safe and properly risk assessed session with us as we only run our sessions with experienced & competent staff.

For more information about our Lake District ghyll scrambling & canyoning sessions check out our website at http://www.kendalmountaineeringservices.co.uk/pages/canyoning.php and http://www.kendalmountaineeringservices.co.uk/pages/ghyllscramble.php and to book your session contact us at 01539 737332/07761 483364 or at info@kendalmountaineeringservices.co.uk