Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District. Stickle Ghyll, Friday, August 5th, 2016.

Last Friday, Iain was back out Ghyll Scrambling in The Lake District - this time, in Stickle Ghyll in Langdale - one of The Lake District's best known Ghyll Scrambling venues.

When Iain had worked with George and his godmother Jane on Tuesday, an interest had been expressed in trying out Ghyll Scrambling  - "Do you know anyone who does that?" asked Jane. "Yes, said Iain - we do!" and subsequently, Iain gained a bit more work from Jane's group of friends - Emma & Claire; and Claire's three children - Anna, Archie; and of course - George!

The group booked their Ghyll Scrambling Half Day Session with us to start at 1pm on Friday. Iain got the children kitted out and then off we went for an afternoon of fun.

Photo one sees Archie, Anna  & George getting well & truly hydrated at the first waterfall climb in Stickle Ghyll!

Photo two sees the three about another 100 yards upstream - well & truly up to their necks in it!

Ghyll Scrambling is all about having fun in a mountain stream. Ghyll Scrambling is also known as Gorge Walking, but we think the term "scrambling" applies better. Anyway- what is it all about?

Scrambling up the stream bed, against the flow of the water, wading & swimming through pools, jumping off the banks into pools, climbing up waterfalls - roped up where necessary to prevent a fall, feeling challenged, feeling exhilarated, but being safe; and being warm enough in the comprehensive equipment we provide you with that you can enjoy these sessions in comfort whilst being soaked but not feeling too cold - this is particularly important with young children who, generally not carrying too much body fat - can get chilly quite rapidly!

Getting chilly was no such concern today for these three aged  from eight to 14 - they were moving far too fast for that as one might expect - the smaller the group, the less hanging around there is to get cold!

The weather was also much better than two days previously when Iain had been in Wren Gill - another one of our brilliant Lake District Ghyll Scrambling Venues. On that day it had been very windy & wet, water levels had been high and it was certainly chilly!

Photo three sees Archie, Anna & George with Mum - Claire & her best mates - Emma & Jane on the bridge beyond. We think this is a fine photo!

We always split Stickle Ghyll into two parts - the lower part starts just above the Sticklebarn Tavern and goes for about 600 m up to the footbridge.  In this section, there is a waterfall climb, numerous deep pools for jumping into and lots of interesting steep scrambly sections.

Above the footbridge there is a bouldery section having nothing of real interest to it, so we bypass this and go in to the upper gorge  - again, lots of steep-ish scrambling up waterfalls and deep pools to play in and then this big waterfall - in photo four, often the "grand finale" that gets climbed - straight up, behind the children! We did climb this; and then called it a day! Another great Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District and the children loved it!

Our half day Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District cost £45 per adult for a four hour session with all of the equipment  you see the children wearing, provided as part of your fee. Bring more than five persons and that price drops to £40 each. However, we discount our prices significantly for children and Claire paid just £35 each for these three to try Ghyll Scrambling.

If you are looking for a family activity that the kids will love during your visit to The Lake District, then this is it and it is ideal for having fun on a wet day too! Contact us here to book your Ghyll Scrambling Session - you won't be disappointed!

Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District. Wren Gill. Wednesday 3rd August 2016.

On Wednesday afternoon, Iain met Ian Maddern with his daughter Sadie and a friend's son Brogan to take them for a half day Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District.

Ian came to the Lake District last year with a bunch of mates for a weekend birthday celebration. The group booked a half day Ghyll Scrambling Session with us, but unfortunately, due to extenuating circumstances, their Ghyll Scrambling Session was a very short one indeed.

On that occasion, we had gone to exactly the same place and had used the Land Rover to run the group up the one & a half miles up the track (photo one) although then - with six adults in it - it was rather more loaded down than last Wednesday!

Anyway, that Ghyll Scrambling Session obviously made a big impression as Ian had been keen to return; and it had been said last time that "the kids would love it" - something we know to be true only too well!

Wednesday had started off very windy, but dry; although there had been significant rainfall the night before - just how significant it had been up Longsleddale didn't become apparent until Iain saw Stockdale Beck running in spate. Wren Gill was the same!

To add to matters, as we started to drive from Sadgill to Wren Gill, rain showers started to spill over in to the valley from Kentmere, so the weather was on a downward spiral again; and we had two small children to look after! Iain's biggest concern when working with children  is how quickly they can get cold.

However, we do our best to give customers the best equipment we can for Ghyll Scrambling - wet-suits  for insulation when wet, cagoules again to aid insulation and walking boots for good grip and protection. All we ask is you bring your own fleece top, swimwear & socks to wear in the walking boots.

And even on Wednesday afternoon with the wind blowing strongly up Longsleddale; and the rain lashing down, this equipment was enough to keep Sadie & Brogan warm for long enough that they could enjoy the fun that Ghyll Scrambling has to offer.

Wren Gill was already running high when we got into it and it was necessary for Iain to keep ahold of Brogan whilst Ian kept ahold of Sadie. Between the two of us; and with Iain's guidance and experience in fast flowing water, we were pick a route upstream which allowed the children to experience the fun that Ghyll Scrambling can be - safely, by avoiding the most powerful parts of the flow or by sticking next to the edge of the river.

In photo three, Brogan & Sadie are poised to take their third jump into the deep pool below where the current took them straight into our arms - they loved it!

Photo four  is taken a little further on and sees Ian, Brogan & Sadie sat in a cave under a huge boulder right next to a waterfall crashing down from above into another pool that we normally jump in to (from the point  from which the photo was taken. However, Wren Gill was getting bigger by the minute; and Iain judged it too unsafe to jump into here now.

We made it as far as Cleft Ghyll where Wren Gill comes crashing down an impassable 20 foot waterfall before exiting the ghyll and making our way back to the Land Rover with Brogan describing the experience as "the best day ever!".

Back at the Land Rover, Ian got the children changed into warm dry clothes before we headed back to Sadgill to their waiting vehicle.

This afternoon had certainly been a "hardcore" Ghyll Scrambling Session, but Ian & the children thoroughly enjoyed it. Our next report is also about Ghyll Scrambling - two days later and in much better conditions with three children who again...absolutely loved it!

Ghyll Scrambling is a fantastic, exhilarating experience and everyone should try it once. It is ideal for families or adults, Stag & Hen Events or just for a bit of Corporate fun. It is an activity that most people do remember for a long time. Our half day Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District start at £45 per adult, but less for children. For example, Ian paid just £30 each for the three of them.

Contact us here to book your Ghyll Scrambling Session whilst holidaying in The Lake District this Summer  - you won't regret it!

Rock Climbing Courses in The Lake District. Tuesday 2nd August 2016.

Last Tuesday morning, Iain was out with Jane Carter & her Godson - George providing George with a Rock Climbing lesson.

Jane had done some research on the internet some time ago looking for the ideal person to teach George about Rock Climbing and Kendal Mountaineering Services and Iain's name came up quite a lot - not too surprisingly as we do run a lot of Rock Climbing Courses! Anyway, Jane liked what she saw and booked George's Rock Climbing lesson with us without hesitation.

Iain took the pair to Upper Scout Crag in Langdale for George's lesson and photo one shows George & Jane - ready to climb at the foot of Route 1.

Route one is a great place to learn "trad climbing techniques". What are trad techniques? Well, simply put - the learning of how to use climbing hardware such as nuts, Hexcentrics or camming devices to anchor yourself to the rock on the route you are climbing. The skills include identifying  appropriate anchor placements (usually tapered cracks on a climbing route which will accept and  hold an anchor device), selecting the right anchor device for that placement  and how to link these anchor devices together or directly to the rope with the ultimate aim of protecting yourself (ie - preventing a fall) from the rock route you are climbing.

Iain is a Mountaineering Instructor - the highest UK award  for rock climbing instruction and the only one appropriate for teaching Rock Climbing on multi-pitch rock climbs such as those to be found at Upper Scout Crag. He also has over ten years of experience coaching  & guiding on rock routes in Summer and Winter Climbs in Winter and a lifetime of experience in the mountains around the UK and Europe.

In photo two, George can be seen firmly anchored to the rock at the first "stance" on Route One. A stance is a place where there is most likely, a small ledge which will comfortably accommodate two climbers at the top of a rock climbing pitch.

Upon reaching a stance, the lead climber secures themselves to the rock by means of two anchor placements (why two? Well if you only have one and that fails, then you've most likely had it!) which are then equalized to a central attachment point. Slings can be used if you are the one leading every pitch of a multi-pitch climb or if "alternately leading" then a leader will attach to both anchors directly with the climbing rope.

As George was leading the whole rock climb Iain showed him how to set up at stances using slings. Photo three sees George at the second stance on Route one keeping an eye on Jane who can be seen climbing "the crux". If possible, a lead climber should always be so placed that they can see; and if necessary, communicate with their climbing second!

Our final photo from this report about what was essentially a half day learning to lead Trad Rock Climbing Course in The Lake District sees George & Jane at the top of Route 1 looking very pleased - and not without good reason as we'd just completed the route before the forecast wet weather set in!

George had climbed well throughout the route and had absorbed Iain's coaching well with regards to anchor placements when to set up a running belay and how to equalize anchors at stances. He has climbed before - mainly at indoor climbing centres and as his family come to The Lake District regularly this has, on this occasion; allowed him this opportunity to learn to lead rock climbs out of doors on proper rock - something he doesn't find much of near to his home on the south coast of England.

One thing we always say to people after one of our skills training courses is "get out and use the skills you've learnt as soon as you possibly can - as if you don't you'll soon lose them!" Well, we wish George all the very best with his future aspirations with regards to climbing and hope that we have helped him along the way! Next, this young man is off to Wengen in the Bernese Oberland to be guided on The Monch and The Jungfrau in a week or two...alright for some isn't it!

Jane paid just £100 for George's half day Rock Climbing Skills Training Course in The Lake District. The fee included the use of helmets, harnesses, ropes and climbing rack as well as coaching by an experienced Mountaineering Instructor. Our full (eight hour) day courses cost just £160 per day between two persons; and we recommend you book a second day for consolidation, but of course - the choice is yours!

Contact us here to book your Rock Climbing Skills Training Course in The Lake District - we look forward to working with you!

Guided Rock Climbing Day in The Lake District. 14th July 2016.

A few weeks ago Iain was out with Matthew Dean and his girlfriend Katie. The pair were visiting the area for the week and it was also Katie's birthday. Katie enjoys climbing and the pair have already spent some time  climbing at their local indoor climbing wall, so Matt thought it would be a nice birthday treat for her to experience some real outdoor climbing on proper Lake District Rock.

Matt had contacted us some time previously to book a guided Rock Climbing Day in The Lake District. Iain arranged to meet the pair at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Langdale and guide them, first of all, on the classic Lake District Rock Climb - Middlefell Buttress (Diff).

Photo one sees Katie and Matt feeling somewhat elated - having put all of the difficult sections of Middlefell Buttress behind them.

As well as climbing, the pair also wanted to try a proper abseil too and a large Rowan tree at the top of Middlefell Buttress presents such an opportunity - being draped with a large loop of "Abseil Tat" (climbing rope left for the purpose of doing an abseil) and a Maillon (steel karabiner)  through which to attach your rope for abseiling.

We made our way over to this tree and with cowstails at the ready, attached ourselves to the abseil tat. Iain then threaded our climbing ropes through the maillon and then attached Matt & Katie to the ropes using our belay plates in a fashion known as a "stacked" abseil. This allowed him to leave the pair safely attached to the climbing ropes whilst he descended first.

Once Iain was down, Katie was given the call to follow; and once Katie was down, Matt followed her (photo  two). Getting off Middlefell Buttress this way allowed us to avoid the gully descent and get back to our bags quickly before we headed off to our next rock climb of the day.

Photo three sees Matt & Katie several hours later at the first stance on Route 1, Upper Scout Crag. We had moved to the National Trust Sticklebarn Car Park; and had lunch before taking the short walk up to this crag.

Upper Scout Crag is a great place for taking your first steps on to real Lake District Rock and a venue that we often use for teaching Rock Climbing Skills. It is also a great route for guiding on as well - being a relatively easy rock climb, but just like Middlefell Buttress, having the feel of a big mountain crag.

As you can see from the photos, we were lucky with the weather on this Guided Rock Climbing Day. It was exactly what we wanted, warm, dry & sunny with only a light breeze at the top of the crag and stunning views in all directions!

Our final photo from this post about a Guided Rock Climbing Day in The Lake District sees Matt  & Katie at the top of Upper Scout Crag looking very satisfied with what they had achieved - and not without good reason!

With Iain's guidance, they had climbed two of The Lake District's best easy multi-pitch rock climbs with a total of six pitches of rock climbing and a long abseil. Now, that's not bad going for your first day's introduction to multi-pitch  Rock Climbing in The Lake District!

The pair paid just £80 each for their Guided Multi-pitch Rock Climbing day with Iain who is an experienced & knowledgeable Mountaineering Instructor. Equipment provided as part of your fee per person including helmets, harnesses, ropes and rack. We can hire in climbing shoes for you at £10 per pair per day if you do not possess them.

If you fancy trying out multi-pitch Rock Climbing in The Lake District as the next progression from indoor climbing then contact us here. We look forward to working with you!

Guided Fell Walking in The Lake District. The Scafell Pike Circuit from Borrowdale. 29th July 2016.

Yesterday, Iain was out providing a guided walk for Donise Winter & her Daughter Leila who wanted to climb England's highest Mountain - Scafell Pike (3210 feet/978 metres). We think that the best way to do this mountain is from Seathwaite in Borrowdale and do a circuitous walk which takes in the summits to the north of Scafell Pike and also the famous Corridor  Route. All in all, distance is around 11 miles in total with 2782 feet of ascent from Seathwaite to Scafell Pike's summit.

Photo one shows the view in upper Borrowdale with the River Derwent in the foreground and Seathwaite Fell - England's wettest mountain, looming in the distance.

Photo two is taken from the bridge over Styhead Gill approximately two miles further on. Today was a completely different day from our last guided walk up here almost 3 weeks earlier when we were absolutely lashed by heavy rain for almost the entire day.  It is just as well as conditions were better for Donise & Leila's Scafell Pike ascent as otherwise we would have had to abandon the attempt - last time was no weather for a six year old, but as you can see from today's photos, the weather couldn't have been kinder to us!

After a break and "snack stop" next to picturesque Styhead Tarn, we continued up over the pass, down & across Spout Head and up to join the Corridor Route adjacent to Skew Gill.

Beyond this point, the route rises steeply for 3/4 of a mile and then levels off just before a buttress top is crossed. Then, just around the corner one finds ones-self looking into the pleasant hanging valley of Greta Gill (photo three). The Corridor Route rises gently across this valley and crosses the head of Piers Gill before rising to the col in the background (Lingmell Col). From here to the summit of Scafell Pike is no more than a half hour up a long boulder slope.

Scafell pike summit would be a nice place if it were not for the crowds that frequent the summit. Of course this is to be expected - after all it is the highest point in England!!

Unfortunately, there are always the ignorant few who have to leave their rubbish behind, so it is always a fairly messy place as well! We found one of the commonly sighted Banana peels lying around and no doubt there will be many of these plus Orange Peel too!  See this video in this Facebook post to dispel the "myth" that these fruit peels are quickly biodegraded in our climate. As lovers of our wild mountain environment, we would ask all hill-goers....please take all of your rubbish off the mountains folks - leave only footprints and absolutely nothing else- thank you!

As the weather continued to be good; and six year old Leila continued to be strong and as keen as ever, we we decided to continue on our circular route back to Seathwaite via Broad Crag & Ill Crag.

This meant heading north from Scafell Pike summit, dropping first into Broad Crag Col at the head of Little Narrowcove; and then reascending the boulder-slope to cross the shoulder connecting Broad Crag & Ill Crag.

Photo five sees Donise and daughter Leila on the shoulder of Ill Crag with nothing but descent now between here and Seathwaite; although a long descent it is!

Our final photo from this post about Guided Fell Walking in The Lake District sees Donise and Leila as we descended back to Stockley Bridge via Grains Gill in afternoon sunlight. It had been a great day, perhaps bordering on being a little too warm at times, but better this way than lashing rain and thick cloud.

We enjoyed stunning views throughout the day in all directions and Donise and Leila thoroughly enjoyed their guided walking day in The Lake District with us.

We hope that the pair have had as good a day out today with Hayley on Skiddaw. Again, it's been dry, if not a little cooler, but the views will again, have been good - which is what every fell walker wants!

Prices for our Guided Walking Days in The Lake District start at £75 per person for a minimum of two adults. Children can come along for free! Discounts are applied for larger group numbers so if you fancy getting to know some of The Lake District's mountain walks better then book Iain here. With over 45 years of walking in The Lake District Mountains, no-one knows them better; and you can be assured of a great day out. We look forward to working with you!

Introductory Rock Climbing Sessions in The Lake District. Wednesday 27th July 2016.

Yesterday, Iain spent the day with John Richardson, his son Oli and John's mate Dave at St Johns in The Vale at a new venue for one of our Introductory Rock Climbing Sessions in The Lake District.

We had been asked to work with these clients on behalf of Mark Eddy at Mountain Journeys and Mark had suggested the Rock Climbing venue- Church Crag situated on Low Rigg close to St John's Church.

This pleasant little single pitch Rock Climbing venue is split into two distinct buttresses with lots of bolts at the top - just ideal for setting up top ropes for a "top rope/bottom belaying session.
It is clear to Iain that the venue is used by a local outdoor centre for the purpose of providing outdoor Introductory Rock Climbing Sessions here right in the middle of The Lake District.

So what is a top rope/bottom belaying Rock Climbing Session? Well, it is one where a climbing rope is anchored at the top of a climb. This system is most commonly seen in indoor climbing walls - both ends of the rope hang down to the foot of the climbing wall or rock climb and the rock climber ties on to one end whilst the belayer clips the rope into their belay device on the other side.

The rock climber then climbs up the wall whilst the belayer "takes in" the climbing rope through their belay device on their side of the rope. The belayer must keep the rope tight between themselves and the rock climber in order to prevent a shock load should the climber fall.

Photo two sees John belaying his son whilst Dave provides encouragement and guidance for six year old Oli as he takes his very first steps on outdoor rock.

Photo three sees Oli toward the end of the family's Introductory Rock Climbing Session in The Lake District and at this point, he is on around climb number eight on the south buttress of Church Crag.

Johns primary aim on this Introductory  Rock Climbing Session in The Lake District to to give his six year old son confidence in climbing on rock  and during the day, we saw Oli's confidence grow in leaps and bounds.

By the time this photograph was taken, Oli's confidence was such that he was happy to stand on the rock face and give Iain the thumbs up.

It was great to that that one of our Introductory Rock Climbing Sessions in The Lake District could be used to improve a little six year old lad's confidence so much that he was now literally scampering up all over this rock face whereas a few hours earlier, he had been scared to go more than six feet off the floor!

As well as introducing Oli to outdoor rock climbing, both John & Dave wanted to get back into it as well. Both guys climbed some rock climbs on both parts of Church Crag before Iain spent some time coaching John in the art of "setting up" anchors for top rope belay systems - this involves being able to place appropriate and strong anchors in cracks in the rock face and being able to bring two anchors ( you must always use two anchors when setting up for any belaying system whilst climbing!) to a central attachment point for the climbing rope using either static (pre-stretched rope) or slings and karabiners.

In photo four John is having a go at setting up his own anchor system and he picked up the information well; although he has climbed in the past so, these systems were probably not completely new to him.

John paid just £160 for his full day of Introductory Rock Climbing in The Lake District for himself and Dave and Oli came along for free! All of our Introductory Rock Climbing Courses in The Lake District come with helmets, harnesses and walking boots if you need them as well as expert tuition by one of our qualified instructional team. Introductory Rock Climbing Sessions are great fun for the family and these sessions are also ideal as part of a team building Event for a Corporate Event.

Contact us here to book your Introductory Rock Climbing Session in The Lake District today!

Canyoning Sessions in The Lake District. July 21st 2016. Church Beck, Coniston.

Last Wednesday afternoon, we were contacted by Martin Buckthorpe looking for a Canyoning Session in The Lake District at short notice. We couldn't help Martin on either Friday or Saturday - but would Thursday Morning do? It would!

Iain met Martin & his girlfriend Kirstin at Coniston at 09:00 on the Thursday Morning, we got kitted out in wetsuits, cagoules, buoyancy aids, helmets & harnesses before setting off up the track to Coppermines Valley and Church Beck.

Photo one sees the pair just after we had gotten all of our equipment on prior to setting off downstream. If you come on either a Ghyll Scrambling or Canyoning Session in The Lake District with Kendal Mountaineering Services - you can expect to receive all of this equipment as part of your fee. The same cannot be said of all our competitors often offering the same activity but for less money; and hence less personal protective equipment!

Straightaway on our Canyoning Descent of Church beck, we are in to our first waterfall lower.

This is a challenging introduction to anyone attending one of our Canyoning Descents. You are attached to a rope which is then paid out as you crawl/slide backwards towards a vertical drop. Of course the rope is kept tight to protect you and control your descent.

The vertical drop is not high - only around eight feet, but you descend amidst the waterfall; and land in a deep pool at it's foot. A thorough soaking is what you get - but it is exhilarating fun; and you'll be warm in that wet-suit once the initial soaking is over.

Martin's girlfriend certainly looks at though she is enjoying the first waterfall lower in photo one. Martin, who has already done the descent, looks on on the background.

Photo three was taken some time later. After the first waterfall lower, we did a short jump into a deep pool only a short distance beyond. After that, a short walk downstream with the water takes us to an area of greasy slabs best avoided on dry rock.

After passing under Miner's Bridge, we do the higher & longer Miners Bridge waterfall lower. Below here, the gorge narrows & deepens as one arrives at "The Top Jumps". Here are three waterfalls and three deep pools. The first waterfall is a 12 foot drop into a narrow slot which is risky - so we reduce the risk by traversing out to a wider section and our clients approach us; roped to protect them; and after a 6 feet lower they are able to jump into a wider section of the pool below the slot.

The middle waterfall, we generally climb down as again, the jump is risky. The final waterfall - seen in photo and known as "the chock-stone slide is just that, a slide down the stone into the pool below. Very exhilarating - yet perfectly safe!

The final part of our Canyoning Descent of Church beck is actually a Ghyll Scrambling ascent. Ghyll Scrambling refers to the sport of going upstream, swimming through pools, climbing up waterfalls. There is a waterfall just upstream from the point where Church Beck becomes private property (unless you want to pay £6 per person to go there!) which can be climbed - roped. To do this gives people the challenging option of climbing up through a waterfall.

We can also finish off your Church Beck Canyoning Session with one last thing and that is a high jump, made from the side of the ravine into the middle pool in the section of the the top jumps.

This 20 foot high jump is challenging and exhilarating; and also allows you to do the chock-stone slide one last time.

Martin & Kirsten paid just £45 each for their half day(four hour) Canyoning Session in The Lake District with Iain. If you think this is expensive, it's not! One instructor to two of you and with all of the equipment provided - and for up to four hours too! We do give discounts for bigger groups and children, so if you are looking for something that is wet, fun, exhilarating & challenging to do over the Summer Holidays - then this is the activity for you!

Contact us here to book your own Canyoning Session in The Lake District. We look forward to working with you!

Looking or the ultimate challenge in wet fun in The Lake District? Then book an Esk Gorge Day with us! Prices start at just £75 per person!