Half day Rock Climbing Sessions in The Lake District. Saturday 17th October 2015.

After two busy weeks with Prince's Trust Residentials, Iain had but two days before heading off to Myanmar for three weeks with his partner. On both days, he would find himself busy working.

On Saturday, Iain was joined by Dave Stephenson  from Hull.  Dave and his family regularly visit the Lake District and enjoy outdoor sports. Dave was keen to try outdoor rock climbing and had booked a half day of Guided Rock Climbing in The Lake District  with Iain. Photo one sees Dave on the second stance of Route 1, Upper Scout Crag in Langdale.

We have been really lucky with the weather so far this Autumn which has been settled, warm and dry - a real Indian Summer as the saying goes!

It has been ideal for anyone wishing to do anything in the outdoors and  we have continued to be busy throughout the season.

Photo two is a view up Langdale from the foot of Upper Scout Crag and today, it was very warm in the little bay  to be found at the foot of routes 1 and 2. Absolutely  ideal for rock climbing!!

Dave turned up on his own to climb, so the plan  had to be guided  rock climbing. However, as we progressed up Route 1, Iain made a point of telling Dave about everything that  he was doing; and why!

We discussed the merits of good anchor placements and the importance for extending well away from these when placing "running belays". Why two anchors are needed at stances and how to bring these together to a central attachment point using either slings or the climbing rope.

Where possible, Iain allowed Dave the opportunity to practice skills for himself - such as in photo three, where Dave was able to practice using the rope to "tie in" to two anchor points.

We completed Route 1 in a couple of hours which left time to partially climb Route 2 - again, with Iain doing the leading.

At the top of the second pitch of Route 2 there is an Oak tree - a very handy place to discuss and arrange an abseil retreat. This  is something that all rock climbers should be familiar with as sometimes, retreating from a rock climb is unavoidable.

At the stance, we both attached to the anchor using a "cows-tail" (a sling) and screw-gate karabiner each. These cows-tails were attached to us using a larks-foot knot tied through our harness abseil loops. An overhand knot was tied mid way along the sling and our belay plates were attached between this knot and the larks-foot knot.

At this point we were both now ready and safe to untie from the climbing rope which was threaded around the anchor at the mid  point of the rope. Both ends were then knotted (but NOT together) before being thrown down the crag accompanied first by the loud cry of "BELOW!"

We both then attached our belay plates to both ropes and then unclipped from the anchor in readiness to abseil.

Photo four shows the setup used for an abseil retreat and if you want to learn these skills or enjoy a day of half day of guided Rock climbing in The Lake District then please contact us here. Prices start at just £45 per per person for introductory climbing or £50 per person for a half day of guided climbing (minimum charge of £90) or £160 for a full day of guided climbing or Rock Climbing Skills Training. Please note that if you wish to do a rock climbing course on your own then you will undertake a introductory rock climbing or guided Rock Climbing Course - unless we can partner you up with another person to allow the instructor to coach you rather than guide.

All of our multi-pitch rock climbing courses are delivered  by experienced Mountaineering Instructors and ropes, climbing rack, helmets & harnesses are provided as part of your fee.