Guided Scrambling days in The Lake District. Coniston area. Tuesday 9th August 2016.

This report is about Guided Scrambling in The Lake District - on dry rock for a change, most of our recent reports have been about Ghyll Scrambling - a very different sport on very wet rock!

Michael Dunkley lives & works in London, but visits the Coniston area generally around once a year to stay in a friends cottage there.

Michael contact us a few weeks ago asking if there was any scrambling that could be done in the area as it was something that he wished to try out -  nothing too hard, but something that would provide a reasonable amount of challenge for him.

Iain suggested starting at the Walna Scar Car Park and linking three scrambles that would ultimately lead on to the top of the ridge of the Old Man of Coniston - a real scrambling adventure day.

Photo one sees  Michael approaching Iain's boot! on the great little scramble - The Bell (grade 2). The Bell is only a ten minute walk from the Walna Scar Car Park (in the distance in the photo) and can be seen on the approach as a rising rocky crest.

A grade 2 route is only of moderate seriousness, but the bell is still  best done roped for novices. It is possible to take easier or harder lines up the successive rising rocky outcrops that eventually lead to easier angled slabs at the summit.

We put The Bell behind us in little over an hour and then walked a kilometre across to the foot of Low Water Beck  (grade 3). Low Water Beck is a more serious proposition following the line of the stream coming from Low Water - either in it or right beside it! Michael (in photo two) had already had one slip on damp greasy rock just below where this photo was taken so it was as well that he was attached to the rope and being belayed by Iain!

Photo three sees Michael surmounting the final rock buttress to be climbed on the scramble of Low Water Beck and here we were "off route" according to what is described in the guide.

The upper part of Low Water Beck, provided rock conditions are dry, allow a number of variants to be taken up rocky buttresses rather than following the grassy rakes that actually avoid them.

Michael seemed to be scrambling with ease so Iain decided to push him on the these steeper & more exposed variants which would be more towards Rock Climbing at "Moderate" standard. Some sections were definitely beyond grade 3 scrambling - let's put it that way!

Our final photo from this report about a Guided Scrambling Day in The Lake District sees Michael high on our final scrambling route of the day - Brim Fell Rib (grade 2) with Low Water behind Michael and the path snaking up to the summit of The Old Man beyond.

Upon reaching Low Water, we had sat down for a bite to eat & drink and within a few minutes, it started raining very heavily!  This nearly put paid to the plans for the final scrambling route, but then it cleared out almost as quickly as it started and by the time we had walked the short distance to the base of the final scramble, the rock was dry once again!

Michael paid just £160 for his Guided Scrambling Day in The Lake District with Iain - a knowledgeable and experienced Mountaineering Instructor who was able to come up with a good plan for Michael's day out and also encourage him to try harder stuff when it became clear he could manage it. As well as covering the cost of Iain's guiding, the fee included the provision of a helmet & harness too.

Scrambling routes allow you to take the most exhilarating ways to mountain summits. Contact Iain here to book your Guided Scrambling Day in The Lake District, you won't be disappointed! 

Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District. Wren Gill, Monday 9th August 2016.

Last Monday afternoon, we were out again - up to our necks in it! Ghyll Scrambling seems to be just about the most popular thing we are getting bookings for at the moment - and that's good news.

Ghyll Scrambling is definitely one of those "out there" activities that should be one everyone's bucket list! Getting a soaking in a mountain stream - what!, but once you've tried it, you can't stop talking about it and the great fun you've had.

When Louise Cawthorn booked a Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District with us, she had heard from others who had been and tried ghyll scrambling in the area. The family were coming from the east coast of Yorkshire for a few days and were keen to try it out for themselves.

The family were planning to stay near Kendal and enquired about Ghyll Scrambling with a number of Outdoor Activity companies. We were one of the few who replied; and the only one to be offering a Ghyll Scrambling Session close to town.

Wren Gill is a mere six miles north of Kendal whereas the next nearest suitable ghyll Scrambling venues are over 20 miles away  in Langdale and near Coniston. We will usually meet you at the  Morrisons Superstore on the north east side of town and then you will follow us up the narrow road leading through Longsleddale to the parking area at Sadgill where we get kitted up ready for your Ghyll Scrambling Session.

From Sadgill to the Ghyll Scrambling venue is a further 1.5 mile walk up the track that leads to Gatesgarth Pass. However, if your group size is no more than 5 or six persons, then we will transport you up the track in our vintage 56 year old Land Rover - there can't be many other companies operating in the Lake District or indeed - in the UK where you get to enjoy some off roading  in a classic vehicle as part of your Ghyll Scrambling Session!

Once at Wren Gill, you'll be able to enjoy a Ghyll Scrambling Session in a venue offering plenty of variety - steeper sections with easy waterfalls to climb and some deep pools interspersed with gentler, shallower sections where even the smallest child can enjoy playing in the river.

As you can see from these photos, the Cawthorn family enjoyed a fun & exhilarating Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District with us that involved jumping into deep pools and being lowered down waterfalls as well as climbing up them.

Today's session lasted almost the full four hours that we offer in a half day and at £45 per adult and £30 per child offered superb value and great fun that the family will remember for a long time.

Whilst it's warm & sunny - contact us to book your very own family Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District - you won't be disappointed!

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!

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!