Stag Events in Yorkshire. Caving in The Yorkshire Dales National Park. 26th April 2014.

At Kendal Mountaineering Services, we work with a team of hand picked associate instructors. These individuals have been selected for their experience, qualifications and people skills. On occasion, Iain finds his services being called upon by one of our associate businesses and this was the case last Saturday when Iain was asked by Live For Today Adventures to deliver a half day Caving Session in The Yorkshire Dales National Park.

David Anderson had booked a half day Caving and a half day Quad Biking with Live For Today. We arranged to meet the Group at Inglesport in Ingleton before heading off to Long Churns near Ribblehead. Photo one sees the lads dressed up & ready to go - guess which one is the Stag!

For a change - rather than heading straight off to do The Cheese Press (many a novice cavers often best recollected experience) we headed to the top entrance/exit to the Long Churns cave system - and descended the waterfall to Doctor Bannister's Washbasin.

In photo two, the stag can be seen descending this waterfall - hand over hand on a doubled rope (the water level in Long Churns was low so this was safe to do). Here, the waterfall is not vertical but descends  as a water slide dropping off a small lip into the pool below. Iain's advice to anyone descending the fall was to try to keep their feet out of the water to avoid a drenching at the bottom and Martin, our assistant Cave Leader for the session was on hand to grab people to stop them from falling into the pool. To enter Long Churns this way was an exciting start to the lads caving session with us.

Once down the waterfall at Doctor Bannister's Washbasin, Martin headed off downstream in the cave system of Upper Long Churns whilst Iain de-rigged the rope and then caught the party up. He did so at a point where Martin, a very experienced Cave Leader was showing the lads a point where flood debris (flotsam) had collected on an occasion when a party had been trapped underground - this point was almost 2 metres above the floor of the cave showing that water had risen to that level!

If this puts you off the idea of going caving then don't be - just make sure that you go underground with one of our experienced & knowledgeable Cave leaders who won't take you somewhere you may be at risk if conditions are wet!

Shortly after this point the Stag Party split into two - with Martin taking some of the lads out to Middle Entrance & on whilst Iain took the keener group through the more strenuous Cross Passage (Baptistery Crawl) we then regrouped for the next interesting section - Double Shuffle Pool in Lower Long Churns which David (in photo three) is about to descend.

Shortly after negotiating the tricky down climb at Double Shuffle Pool, one crosses Plank Pool (so called because apparently there was once a plank spanning it!) before arriving at the route to Diccan Entrance - the lowest of the walk in & out entrances to the Long Churns Cave System.

Some of our group were happy to call time on the caving at this point whilst some wanted to go and experience The Cheese Press (photo four).

After this we headed back to surface to join the rest of the lads and pack up as they needed to get on the road to Otley for their afternoon Quad Biking session.

All of David Anderson's Stag Party thoroughly enjoyed their half day Introductory Caving Session in The Yorkshire Dales with Iain & Martin and we hope they enjoyed the rest of their afternoon with the Live for Today Adventures Team. Each member of the group paid just £35 for their half day session with us which included the provision of Caving Over-suits, Wellington Boots, Caving Belts and helmets with lights. Caving is often a popular session with Stag & Hen Parties looking for an event with a difference. Contact us to arrange your Stag or Hen Event here. We look forward to working with you.

Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in the Lake District. Stickle Ghyll, Langdale. Thursday 24th April 2014.

After our busy Easter Weekend, Iain had a few days off before returning to the fray with one of our corporate clients - Nucleargraduates.

Photo one shows the first cohort of 2014 who had all arrived at Kendal for their two day welcome workshop. These young people are all almost at the end of their university courses and have been successful in being selected for the Nucleargraduates Apprenticeship Scheme where they will spend the next two years working within the nuclear industry before being offered full time employment.

So why do they attend a Lake District Ghyll Scrambling Session with Kendal Mountaineering Services as part of their Welcome Workshop? The reason is that in providing this session - we provide an environment where these undergraduates have to work together in a demanding environment which has the effect of bringing them closer together - something which is considered important as they will be working closely with each other during their forthcoming apprentice-ships.

Of course our Lake District Ghyll Scrambling Sessions are meant to be fun (it certainly looks like it in photo two!) and safe! With these two elements in place people can then start to learn about their own abilities and can start to form bonds - working with; and supporting each other.

Different people have a different perception of challenge and also differing perceptions of what Ghyll Scrambling (also known as Gorge Walking) may entail. Well - obviously it involves getting wet - soaked in fact! so, some people might thing it will be cold wet & miserable and hard work. We hope however, that with the provision of wet suits, cagoules and walking boots included as part of your fee that we go some way to ward off the effect of the wetness. Certainly, Ghyll Scrambling or Gorge Walking in The lake District is something that is best done in the Summer months.

For Kath Walker - the Nucleargraduates Business System Lead seen in photo three, ghyll scrambling was, at the outset, something that she would be trying for the first & last time today. However, by the time this photo was taken - half way through the Ghyll Scrambling Session, Kath was clearly starting to enjoy herself through the support and interaction she was enjoying with the rest of the group - and our support too!

The final photograph from this Ghyll Scrambling Session in The lake District was taken just below our get out point about halfway up Stickle Ghyll where there is a big waterfall to be climbed.

At this point of the session, people are roped up one at a time and of courses the challenge is dealing with the fear of heights whilst clambering up slippery rock whilst bucket loads of water pour over your head!

Obviously, this is not a place where the graduate apprentices can operate together although they can give each other support & encouragement before it's their turn; and a pat on the back afterwards. It is a place however, where one has the opportunity to realize that often, we are all capable of achieving more than we think we can and this is a most useful learning point to take back to any work place!

Our Ghyll Scrambling (Gorge Walking) Sessions in The Lake District) are ideal as an icebreaker as used by Nucleargraduates and other corporate clients and are great fun for Stag & Hen Parties, families or for a bunch of mates who are looking for an action packed & exhilarating session. Contact us today to arrange your Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District. Prices start at only £45 per person for a half day (4 hour) session with equipment & instruction included.

Caving Sessions in The Yorkshire Dales National Park. Sunday, April 20th, 2014

The final post from Iain's varied Easter Weekend concerns Caving in The Yorkshire Dales National Park - still work of course, but completely different work from the previous two days and in a completely different environment.

Rebecca Tayler booked a half day Caving Session in The Yorkshire Dales National Park with us for herself & her mates Gary, Mark & Chris as part of a birthday treat. Rebecca had been to the venue for our Introductory Caving Session - Long Churns, before; and wanted to introduce the lads to this adventurous sport.

Iain met the group at Inglesport as usual where he found them enjoying some lunch in the cafe. Inglesport is a favorite start point for many caving excursions underground in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and as well as having a renown cafe, also has an excellent shop selling all manner of outdoor sports equipment.

Photo one sees the group a few minutes after we had entered Long Churns via Middle Entrance. Conditions were dry and the main stream (also in the photo) was very low - ideal conditions for an introductory caving trip!

Photo two sees Gary "going for it" in The Cheese Press. This is a famous tight horizontal crawl over a distance of only around 18 feet - but a real challenge for anyone vaguely claustrophobic! The Cheese Press is well remembered by all who attempt it - in many cases school children who get introduced to the delights of caving in this very place.

Another part of Long Churns that is often well remembered is Doctor Bannister's Washbasin. For many people this is the last place that they visit during a four hour Introductory Caving Session in Long Churns. It is also the biggest chamber holding a pool of water the size of a small swimming bath.

Alum Pot Beck crashes down into the back of the pool via a water-slide which would be great fun if it were not for the fact that the water at the foot of the fall is only a metre deep. There is however, a ledge running all the way around the pool which allows one to squeeze behind the waterfall without getting wet - although by this point you'll be doing well to still be dry! At least you'll still be enjoying yourself - just like Rebecca in Photo three.

Climbing out of Upper Long Churns via the Water-slide can be tricky if there is any amount of water coming through the cave system and if there is quite a bit then we will rope you up for safety.

However, on this occasion, water levels were so low that it was merely a case of Iain spotting everyone up the foot of the fall and it was easy to scramble up to the top. 50 metres beyond this point you find yourself coming out into daylight again in the canyon where Alum Pot Beck enters the cave system. Take care because it is generally slippery! Our final photo was taken on the Limestone pavement above Upper Long Churns with one of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks - Penyghent, in the background.

Rebecca, Gary, Mark & Chris all thoroughly enjoyed their half day (four hour) Introductory Caving Session in the Yorkshire Dales national Park with Iain and you can too! Prices start at £45 per person but next weekend we are doing the same trip with 12 persons only paying £35 each. Now that has to be good value for money! If you are interested in trying out your very own caving trip then contact us here and we will be happy to make arrangements for you.

Half day Canyoning Sessions in The Lake District. April 19th 2014.

After a strenuous but totally satisfying day out with Rob - Scrambling on Great Gable, Iain was out the following afternoon doing something completely different - Canyoning, with Tom Dobson & his mates at Church Beck, Coniston. Far from being dry, this was a totally wet session, but just as much fun as the previous day!

As you can see from photo one, the weather was just as good too, maybe slightly cooler. But with all of the equipment the guys were wearing (supplied as part of your fee) they were warm enough throughout the session despite the continual soaking they received.

Our half day Canyoning Sessions in The Lake District are by far the most popular activity we do in the Summer months, they are great fun, very exciting, very refreshing on a hot sunny day and totally exhilarating.

We usually run these sessions at Church Beck near Coniston. Canyoning is a downward descent of a mountain stream - usually involving abseiling down waterfalls or jumping down them into deep pools. Another place that we do this is Stoneycroft Gill near Keswick, but Church Beck is by far the better venue.

We start off near to the dam at the top of the gorge and very quickly arrive at the first waterfall as seen in photo two. Everyone gets lowered down this into the pool below and then we climb down the side of the next fall below and jump in to the pool - getting wet over our heads again.

Photo three is a view looking back up at that first waterfall which is one of a number we have to descend. Further on, just on the other side of Miners Bridge we have a longer lower down an even bigger waterfall (photo four) before we arrive at an area known as the "Top Jumps".

At the Top Jumps, the gorge narrows in to a mere slot some 5 feet wide with a 15 foot drop down into the next pool. Many of our competitors still choose to allow their clients to jump this, the most hazardous part of the ghyll and it is a place where people all too often bash arms or ankles on the way down! There have also been incidences of broken ankles/legs on landing in the pool at the bottom which is clearly a bit too shallow when water levels in the ghyll are low. Doesn't sound great - but please read on!

We avoid injury here by safeguarding our clients down to a lower ledge from where they can jump into a slightly wider & deeper part of the pool by the use of harnesses & a climbing rope. As well as avoiding any injury, this method also encourages more people to give it a go!

Below the top jump is a chock-stone and, depending on how confident you are - either a climb down & swim across the deep pool below; or an almighty 10 foot leap into the pool, then there is a final 16 foot slide down another chock-stone into the next pool below.

Downstream of here is another pool that can be jumped into, one other where you can climb along the back wall (the idea is to get across without falling in!) and a final slabby waterfall that can be climbed down.

We finish off our Canyoning Session in The Lake District by turning around and going back upstream to a point 50 metres short of our final slide. Here, we exit up the left bank and walk up the edge of the gorge to a point where a path leads down to a 20 foot jump into the middle pool in the Top Jumps section. This is a most exciting finale to our Canyoning Session and of course once down - you then have to do the final slide a second time to get out of the gorge.

A half day (four hour) canyoning session with us starts at £45 per person. Does this sound expensive? Then see all the equipment you'll get - by looking the group in photo one. All of this equipment is designed to give you the maximum protection and insulation so that you can really concentrate on enjoying your session in comfort, but of course it all costs a lot of money! Also, we make sure you get to do all of the best bits in the gorge in the safest possible manner by putting you into harnesses and roping you down the sections that many of our competitors avoid or, as outlined earlier, choose to take bigger risks - with you.

Certainly you can find many businesses in The Lake District offering Canyoning for less - but you'll be given less equipment, will be less comfortable and will be, in all probability, less safe too. But, you pay your money and take your choice. If, after reading this, you would like to discuss booking your Canyoning Session in The lake District with us - then contact us here. We'll be happy to help!

Guided Scrambling Days in the Lake District. Great Gable, April 18th 2014.

Well, the Easter Weekend has been a busy one for Iain, great weather and such a variety in what he did over the weekend too; and it really couldn't have started off in a better place!

Iain was contacted at short notice last week by Rob Harper who wanted to get out either Rock Climbing or Scrambling on Great Gable - one of The Lake District's most famous mountains at the head of the remote but extremely scenic Wasdale Valley.

Iain suggested heading to an area known as The Napes on the south west side of Great Gable where there are a number of great scrambles and rock climbs - it's a bit of a walk up from Wasdale Head, but well worth it!

The walk takes you up towards Styhead Pass which connects between Borrowdale and Wasdale. Three quarters of the way up this - one heads off up left under Lower Kern Knotts Crag on The Climbers Traverse path leading towards the southern end of buttresses of The Napes and Tophet Wall. It is only when you arrive under this buttress that the famous pinnacle - Napes Needle becomes apparent. Rob fancied a go at climbing this 20 m high pinnacle, but first we decided to scramble up the polished cleft between it and Needle Ridge in an act known as "Threading the Needle" - photo one sees Rob climbing the cleft to join Iain.

The first time Iain climbed Napes Needle in the late 1980's, it was a slightly polished V Diff route. Both he & a mate literally scampered up & down it in rock shoes soloing all the way - put it this way, he doesn't remember abseiling it!

However, twenty five years on things have changed markedly and the route is very polished and now graded Hard Severe. Certainly, the classic route via the Wasdale Crack which we climbed on this occasion felt tricky because of the polish and in big boots too!

Iain left Rob at the foot of the climb and was able to place a few running belays as he climbed up to the foot of the main crack splitting the face. Above this point, only massive Camming Devices would have afforded any protection and Iain didn't have any of those. It was a case of jamming a boot in the crack and trying to move up holding the r/h edge of the crack without falling out before moving right on to the upper face where there were a few better footholds to be found. Falling out of the crack would have probably resulted in hitting the ground and/or Rob who was belaying! Not ideal!

Photo two shows Rob attached to a Stacked Abseil system - ready to follow Iain on the descent from the abseil tat just below the final pedestal. Unfortunately we didn't climb this - the final ten feet of the route - as it was just too tricky & polished and Iain had Rob's safety to put first.

Still, Rob enjoyed the climb up on to the shoulder of Napes Needle; and the abseil technique all the way down into the gully on the west side of the pinnacle was new to him, so, it was still worth the effort!

We climbed across the foot of the next buttress - Eagles Nest Ridge, to a nice grassy patch underneath Spinx Ridge where we enjoyed Lunch and a chat with a fellow scrambler who was scouting out the Climbers Traverse path.

Above us were the options of a number of routes leading to the summit of Great Gable - Arrowhead Ridge - a 3 star Grade 2 Scramble or Sphinx Ridge, 2 star, grade 2. Rob liked the sound of the 3 star route and Iain guided him up the climbing part of this which, after some climbing that would be quite serious in wet conditions, culminated in a very fine exposed traverse along the crest of the ridge to where it widens (photo three) Truly exhilarating stuff!

Whilst we were on the final section of Arrowhead Ridge, four Para-gliders appeared around The Napes - it really looked like great fun as they gracefully soared & swooped above us encased in what looked like sleeping bags (photo four) All of the photos give an indication of what a lovely day it was - hot sun, no wind and dry rock! Rob couldn't have picked a better day for some guided Climbing & Scrambling in The Lake District!

From here, we made our way over to Pinnacle Ridge - a final and pleasant Grade 2 scramble leading to the top of Westmorland's Crag which is only some 100 m from Great Gable's summit. After a brief stop there, we made our way back via Styhead Pass to Wasdale whilst thoroughly enjoying the great views in all directions.

Rob paid £160 for his guided Scrambling Day in The Lake District with Iain on some of the areas most famous climbing & scrambling routes. The price includes the provision of helmets & harnesses and well as instruction by an experienced Mountaineering Instructor. The price is £160 for one or two persons - so well worth it if you want to have a challenging & exhilarating day out with a partner or friend. Contact us here to book your guided Scrambling or Scrambling Skills Training Course in The Lake District. We look forward to working with you.

Rock Climbing Courses in The Lake District. Langdale, April 14th 2014

Yesterday, Iain was at work with the Bacon family who, whilst on a visit to The Lake District, had booked our services to provide them with a multi-pitch Rock Climbing Day.

The family already have a considerable amount of experience of indoor climbing and have done outdoor climbing on a number of visits to North Wales. Father - Paul, was keen that his son Liam should get some experience of "trad" rock climbing techniques and Liam, himself, is keen to gain the Single Pitch Award (SPA). The youngest son Adam - was just keen to get on to outdoor rock - and who could blame him as the conditions were looking spot on for a Rock Climbing Day in The Lake District!

Photo one sees (left to right) Liam, Adam & Paul at the foot of Route 1, Upper Scout Crag - ready to climb. Iain had arrived early at the Sticklebarn Car Park today with rucksacks ready packed for the family as he was expecting the area to be heaving with Rock Climbers. The family were also there early; and the decision was made to get straight on to the rock - before someone else beat us to it! Strangely enough, we had the crag to ourselves almost until the end of the day!

 By 10am, we were starting to climb on what was to be a perfect day, virtually no breeze, clear blue skies and warm sunshine. For Mum - Debbie, the sheltered bay at the foot of Upper Scout Crag was a great place to sit, soak up the sun and enjoy the fantastic views that surrounded us. For Iain & the guys, this was Lake District Rock at its very best and Upper Scout Crag really felt like a warm welcoming place in complete contrast to Iain's previous day there almost a week ago!

Route 1 at Upper Scout Crag consists of three pitches. The first was led by Liam whilst coached by Iain with respect to anchor placement techniques, placing running belays and equalizing anchors at and belaying from the first stance. Adam was first up to Join Liam followed by Paul who was then coached by Iain in the techniques of running belay removal.

Paul then led off up the second pitch (photo two)

Photo three sees Paul at the crux of the route - somewhat polished these days, but on a day like this - still a most pleasant & exhilarating place to be. He certainly looked like he was enjoying the climb anyway!

Not far above here, Paul arrived at the next stance where, with Iain's guidance, he placed two anchors and then tied in with the rope which is what normally happens when a climbing pair (or in this case climbing trio) lead alternate pitches.

Next to join us at the second stance was Adam, who merely had to clip through the runners leaving them attached to Liam's rope as he climbed upwards. Iain descended to coach Liam with respect to removing runner placements, but he already seemed to have the hang of this. Once at the stance, Liam collected all of the bits of climbing hardware from Dad and then proceeded to climb the final easy pitch - setting up at the top by tying the ropes into the anchors and then bringing up the others - their first ever "trad" rock climb completed, Bravo!

The final photo from this Rock Climbing Skills Training Course in The lake District sees all three attached to two ropes looped around the oak tree at the top of the second pitch of Route 2 at Upper Scout Crag.

The scenario was that we need to escape the route by means of an abseil and that two 50 metre ropes would reach the bottom.

Before untying from the rope, we first needed to transfer to the anchor using cowstails larksfooted into our abseil loops. We also tied an overhand knot into these with which to attach our belay plates to the ropes. Photo four sees everyone attached to the abseil rope ready to descend in a method known as a "Stacked" Abseil. Want to know more? then look at the photos here! We finished off by looking at the various methods of equalizing anchors using slings and how a guide plate works for belaying two seconds on a climb who are climbing in parallel on separate ropes.

The three paid the equivalent of £60 each for a full day of climbing tuition with Iain and picked up a lot of useful skills & techniques which will go a long way to ensuring their success and safety as they move on to multi-pitch climbing. If you fancy learning rock climbing skills for yourself, then contact us here. We will be very happy to help.

Easter Holiday Adventure Activities in The Lake District with Kendal Mountaineering Services.

The Easter Holidays have begun and you have decided to visit The Lake District with your family. There are a great many different activities you can do here - but where do you start?

The areas is famous for its Hill Walking, Rock Climbing, Lakes and Rivers and with Kendal Mountaineering Services, you and your family can enjoy adventures in all of these places.

Take Hill Walking and scrambling for example - like the people in the photo who are tackling one one the Lake Districts famous scrambles - Sharp Edge en route to the summit of Blencathra which is one of The Lake Districts best known mountains.

We know the best routes up all of the Lake District Mountains so if you fancy being guided up the mountain of your choice such as Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Skiddaw or Great Gable contact us to arrange your guided hill walking adventure. Prices start at just £75.00 each for two persons with your own Hill Walking guide.

Fancy trying a wet activity this Easter Holiday? Do you like the thought of seeing the views from one of the areas many lakes? Then how about spending a half day or even a full day out with us in a Canadian Canoe or in your very own Kayak?

Canadian Canoeing is great fun for all the family and you can all have just as much much as these children in photo two - warmly kitted out in wet suits and buoyancy aids to keep you afloat if you want to jump into the Lake!

Prices for Kayaking or Open Canoeing sessions in The Lake District start at £45 per person and include the provision of wets suits, buoyancy aids, Canoes or Kayaks and paddles.

Perhaps you fancy the idea of Ghyll Scrambling or Canyoning in The Lake District on your visit this Easter? There are loads of fantastic mountain streams that you can get in and walk up whilst being guided by our instructors.

We provide you with wet suits, cagoules, walking boots, helmets & harnesses for your Ghyll Scrambling & Canyoning Sessions with us to keep you comfortable as you make your way upstream swimming through pools and climbing up waterfalls - roped if necessary to keep you safe. These sessions are great family fun for children & adults alike and if you fancy something more adventurous and challenging then try one of our canyoning descents where we descend a gorge - abseiling or jumping down waterfalls into the deep pools below.

Our half day Ghyll Scrambling & Canyoning Sessions start at £45 per person and are a great way  to spend part of a day during your Easter Holiday visit to The Lake District.

If you fancy trying something different this Easter - then let us take you Caving in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. If you are staying in The Lake District then it's closer than you think - being a mere half hour drive from Kendal or 40 minutes from Windermere.

We will provide you with caving oversuits, wellington boots and helmets with caving lamps - all you need is old clothing, some thick socks and a change of underwear and towels - just in case you get wet!

We will introduce you to the delights of Caving underground in places such as Long Churns with it's famous (or infamous) squeeze called The Cheese Press and Babtistry Crawl with its fantastic Limestone formations. You can try out climbing the waterfall at Doctor Bannister's Washbasin and if you don't like small spaces then there are always bigger passageways around the tight sections.

Prices start at £45 for a half day (4 hour) caving session with us or £75 for a full day underground.

And finally, The Lake District is famous for its crags making it a great place to get out rock climbing this Easter. Not tried it before? then come along to one of our Introductory Climbing Sessions where you will be kitted up with a helmet & harness and attached to a climbing rope before starting to climb on real rock.

All of these sessions are 100% safe - you cannot fall and our instructors will be on hand to make sure that you are kept safe throughout a climbing session where you will be able to challenge your fear of heights and gain new skills and confidence - great for children & adults alike! Our half day introductory climbing sessions start at a mere £45 per person for a full four hours climbing and with all of our Adventure Activities in The Lake District this Easter, the more of you come, the cheaper it will be.

Contact us at Kendal Mountaineering Services to arrange your Adventure Activities in The Lake District this Easter - we look forward to working with you.