Stag Events in The Lake District. Stoneycroft gill, Saturday 6th August 2016.

Last Saturday afternoon, we were working in the Northern Lake District for a change near to Keswick where we ran a Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District for a Stag Group who were in the area for the weekend.

Andrew Pimm had contacted us to see if we could run this session for him and his ten mates who were coming up to the area from Sheffield and Leeds.

The group were also looking for a Canadian Canoeing Session on Derwentwater for the Sunday so we directed them to our good friends at Platty Plus who are based right on Derwentwater and who we felt were better placed to serve the groups needs on this occasion.

Photo one sees most of Andrew's Stag Group cooling off as we got in to the start of Stoneycroft Ghyll - after the  3/4 mile walk uphill in wetsuits to get here!

Stoneycroft Gill is probably North Lakes most popular Ghyll Scrambling Venue, but it is quite unusual in that it is a ghyll Scrambling descent whereas we quote that Ghyll Scrambling involves walking upstream - not so here!

One gets in  and straightaway, we slide down a slippery groove with the water and over a small waterfall. It's enough to give to a taste of what's to come for the next few hours! Things gradually get more interesting as the stream steepens and the waterfalls, water-slides and pools become more numerous; and the pools get deeper!

Photo two sees Andrew - the activity organiser for today's session as he scrambles down a waterfall in control whilst the rest of the Stag Group looks on. Staying in control is necessary if you don't want a bruised backside - even in a wet-suit!

Photo three sees one of the Stag Group with less "bottle" than his mates as he descends this waterfall facing forward. The plunge pool at the bottom of the waterfall was deep on this occasion - about four feet deep; and when we arrived at the top another instructor was  sending his clients down backwards - just for a bit of extra challenge!

Most of the lads in our Stag Group were also up for trying it this way, but not everyone. There was a great deal of laughter as everyone dropped into the pool - backwards or forwards, but for that matter there was a great deal of laughter throughout the whole session as everyone was having such a lot of fun.

As you can see from this photo, we had sunshine for this afternoon Ghyll Scrambling Session in Stoneycroft Gill and the weather was warm. Given the equipment we had dressed the lads up in, no-one complained at any time about being cold during this session; and that's the way it should be!

Photo four sees three of the lads getting stuck into a section known locally as "the washing machine". Here, a seven foot high waterfall drops into a circular pool which has large boulder jammed in it. The water around the boulder is quite deep - particularly where the waterfall is and towards the outflow of the pool where the boulder touches the surrounding rock wall one can dive down underwater and swim through a gap between the boulder and the surrounding rock (just in front of Andrew in this photo).

This makes for an interesting & challenging circuit - around the boulder to the right, through the waterfall and then dive down & squeeze through the gap between the boulder and the surrounding rock. It's not for everybody; and only two of our group of eleven attempted the dive. Andrew was one of those who did it -  well done mate!

Our final photo about this Stag  Group's Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District sees the group shortly after we had exited the ghyll. The weather was warm enough that now we were not immersed in the water of the ghyll, everyone wanted to strip off to a degree. The lads had all thoroughly enjoyed their Ghyll Scrambling Session and the challenges it had to offer them.

This Stag Group paid just £35 per person for their Ghyll Scrambling Session in Stoneycroft  Gill with us and that fee includes the provision of wetsuits, cagoules, helmets harnesses and walking boots for all - equipment that many of our competitors still fail to match! Walking boots are essential equipment in any Ghyll Scrambling or Canyoning environment as far as we are concerned. Safety first, comfort second; and enjoyment third is our motto! Without the first two in place you won't get the last - but you can be sure to get all three with us!Another reason why you should book your Stag or Hen Event with Kendal Mountaineering Services. Contact us here to book your Sat or Hen Event now - you won't be disappointed!