Beginner's Rock climbing courses in The Lake District. Hutton Roof, Sunday, June 26th 2011

Richard Taylor booked a beginners rock climbing session in the Lake District for his mate Nasir and a bunch of their friends - as part of Nasir's stag event here in the area.

The party consisted of old university chums and relatives who had travelled from various corners of the country - to attend Nasir's stag weekend.

The team had booked into accommodation in Kendal and had been to Aspatria the previous day to try a spot of paintballing.


The weather over the weekend had, to this point, been rather odd with the weathermen forecasting overcast weather with showers and rapidly climbing temperatures over the weekend. Certainly, the weather the day before had made Iain's ghyll scrambling session in Church Beck interesting to say the least, but one thing we didn't want for a beginner's rock climbing session was wet weather and wet rock!

After watching the forecast the night before, Iain decided the only place to take the stag party for their beginners rock climbing session was Hutton Roof - a fab little limestone outctop east of the M6 near junction 36. Officially, this venue is not in the Lake District, but of course we don't run all of our rock climbing courses within the national Park if better conditions exist elsewhere; and Iain felt that the conditions for a rock climbing session at Hutton roof might just be ideal. He was right!



The first shot shows the stag party in the sun at Hutton Roof - about to set off to the rock climbing venue. Photo two shows Naz - the stag, being lowered down the rock face by his mates on what had been his very first rock climb.

Photo three shows Richard (right) and howard (left) topping out on two of the harder routes this stag party was to attempt on the day.

Overall, everyone managed most of the six single pitch rock climbs Iain from Kendal Mountaineering services set of for the team. The weather stayed fine throughout - apart from a few spots of rain at one point and it was, as forecast, baking hot. The venue turned out to be just right for the needs of the group with rock climbing & abseiling being a new experience for most of the group members attending.

The final photo shows everyone in Nasir's stag party stood at the top of the highest cliff at Hutton Roof - about to take part in an abseil. Over in The Lake District National Park, it was overcast and looked to be raining, but at Hutton Roof, we had managed a good half day session of rock climbing & abseiling for this stag party and they were all very satisfied with their experience - the photos here say it all.

Remember - you can book any of Kendal Mountaineering Services comprehensive list of activities for your half or full day session as part of a stag or Hen event. These activities include Canoeing, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Abseiling, Caving, Ghyll Scrambling, Canyoning, orienteering, scrambling and team building. Contact us to organise your event with a difference and we'll even advise you on accommodation and other things to do in the area - we are happy to help any way we can!