Tuesday 10 September 2013

Canadian Canoeing Sessions in The Lake District. Saturday 31st August 2013.

Well, it's been over a week since we posted anything on the Kendal Mountaineering Services blog - the reason? we've been busy! It can be quite hard to come in after a day of demanding & strenuous work and then sit down to blog. We know we should, but sometimes it's just not possible - sorry!

The first post of the Autumn is actually from the last day of August when Iain had a day out Canadian Canoeing with returning clients Paul & Bob Bettinson (photo one) who had been out with us at exactly the same time the previous year on one of our Esk Gorge all day Ghyll Scrambling Trips.

Bob had been in touch quite a while ago to book another activity day in The Lake District with us and the pair were once again all the way up in The Lake District from Grays in Essex visiting Paul's brother in Lancaster. Bob had asked for a day of Canadian Canoeing in The Lake District and whilst a half day Canadian Canoeing Session on flat water such as Windermere, Coniston or Ullswater might have been fun, a full day out demanded something a little more exciting & progressive!

So, Iain took the pair to Derwent Water in the Northern Lake District. Photo two shows the pair in front of Iain's boat  heading for St Herberts Island on Derwent Water with Skiddaw - the lowest of the Lake Districts 3000 foot peaks in the distance on one of the days clear & calm spells - beautiful!

We actually started off the day by dropping the boats off at Kettlewell - the National Trust parking site at the head of Derwent Water and then Bob shuttled Iains car to a place at the foot of Dodd Wood - about six miles to the north. The reason for this - Iain's plan was that the pair would learn flat water skills on Derwent Water and then we would have a canoeing expedition from the south to the north end of the lake, lunching on one of the lakes islands before taking a river journey down the Middle Derwent that connects between Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake. Iain's car was left parked where the river trip would end and then once we had finished & loaded up the canoes Iain returned the pair to their vehicle at Kettlewell. Photo three shows Paul & Bob a few hours on from the previous photo - enjoying a spot of grade 2 action on the River Derwent.

So, for the pairs day out, Iain combined a half day beginners Canadian Canoeing Session with a half day river journey in The Lake District - what superb fun!. For anyone contemplating river journeying - Canadian Canoes are undoubtedly the best way to do it!

Photo four shows us about half way along our river journey with Skiddaw now considerably nearer.

The Middle Derwent was low despite the recent wet weather which was why Iain thought it would be a possibility for Paul & Bob. The pair thoroughly enjoyed their Canadian Canoeing adventure in The Lake District with Iain and are already talking about trying kayaking with us on their next visit to the area, we look forward to working with them again.

Contact us to arrange your own bespoke Canadian Canoe Adventure in The Lake District. Bob & Paul paid £160 for this full day out guided by Iain and remember - we do work with as few as two persons. You'll be provided with your own Canadian Canoe as well as a wetsuit, cagoule and bouyancy aid - making these sessions great value for a full day out!

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