Ghyll Scrambling in The Lake District. Thursday 28th April 2016.

Well, last Thursday, Iain was out  in Hause Gill at Seatoller running the Team Building Session for the second intake of Nucleargraduates Cohort Ten.

As usual, the group turned up full of enthusiasm which is not unusual for a group of undergraduates who have been successful in gaining apprentice-ships with the UK's leading recruitment agency for jobs within the Nuclear Industry.

They had an idea of what they were letting themselves in for on this Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District, but even Iain was surprised at how it would ultimately turn out!

Last week, an Arctic airstream returned to The Lake District. We were experiencing temperatures more akin to February & March weather - less than ten degrees Centigrade during the day and minus figures at night. During the day, sunny spells & showers -wintry showers, were the order of things. Not really the sort of weather for getting immersed in a freezing cold mountain stream, but this group's session was booked & paid for and the client were expecting us to run it!

Nucleargraduates recruit around 30 to 40 new apprentices a year; and since 2011, when they first came to us looking for an activity to promote Team  Building between new recruits, we have run some 24 Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District for them; and two large Corporate Team Building Events. The association continues to be a happy and fruitful one because Ghyll Scrambling (also known as Gorge Walking) can be used to get a group of strangers working together; and forming bonds as we have proven time and again!

Firstly, it is essential to get the group equipped correctly for their Ghyll Scrambling Session; and today was going to be difficult with snow settling in Borrowdale to the 300 metre mark. So, neoprene was provided for bodies, feet and hands! In addition, we also provide proper walking boots  for good ankle support grip & protection, fleece tops if needed and a waterproof pullover (cagoule) to aid insulation plus a helmet to protect heads. Harnesses are also essential where climbs need to be protected with use of a rope.

The young chap in photo three was wearing everything we could possibly give him to keep him warm;and despite the fact that the temperature had now fallen to zero degrees, everyone was warm enough.

This allowed them to focus on the task; and that was to get to know each other through working together to make progress up the ghyll in what was a truly hostile environment today.  They worked well as a team, enjoyed a lot of laughs and definitely got to know each other much better!

What happened to day will be remembered by them for a long time; and would no doubt be the subject of much discussion that evening around the dining table of a Keswick Restaurant.

This Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District will be remembered by us too as the chilliest we have ever run!

We didn't get as far up the ghyll as the first group did in early April - when it was actually a little warmer, but this group worked hard and stuck at it; and that was what counted!

Once out of the ghyll, we quickly made our way back to the car park to get changed and then we provided a hot drink to everyone  to warm them up before they headed back to Keswick.

We would like to congratulate the group on their efforts during this pretty tough session and wish them all the best with their apprentice-ships within the Nuclear industry. It is clear that they will all do very well!

Our corporate client paid just £40 each for the apprentices attending this Ghyll Scrambling Session and all of the equipment they were wearing was provided as part of the fee.  If conditions are chilly then we always provide a hot drink at the end of the session.

Ghyll Scrambling or Gorge Walking as it is also known is great for Team Building, Stag & Hen Events or a group of friends or families looking for a fun & exhilarating activity to try.  We wouldn't usually suggest that you try it in winter, but in Summer it is truly great fun!

Rumour has it that the heatwave is about to happen - so contact us here to book your Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District. We look forward to working with you!