Back in The Esk Gorge! Thursday 18th August 2016.

As the post title says - back in The Esk Gorge again, twice in the same week. Believe us - we are not complaining at all - as this IS one of the best day excursions we run at Kendal Mountaineering Services. There are two important factors that must be taken into consideration as this is a serious trip. Firstly, the weather should be settled and warm (or hot!) and the River Esk should be at a low "Summer level".

We had both of these factors in place for Thursday when we walked in with (left to right) Guy, Steven, Sam & Nathan (photo one)

The Esk Gorge involves a 3 km/1 hour walk in and back out. Thursday was hot & sunny and Iain had three 15 - 16 year old cousins and their Uncle (Steven - a returning client) who were looking for two days of adventure. Iain had worked with Steven, Nathan & Sam about four years previously when Steven brought them for a half day Ghyll Scrambling Session in Church Beck at Coniston and Iain felt that the Esk Gorge would be a fitting progression for these strong young lads.

Today, we got into the River Esk downstream of our usual get in point opposite the sheepfold and Iain realised he had been "missing a trick". At the very start of The Esk Gorge there is a really big, deep pool with two jumps in - from opposite sides and then a short section of gorge to follow with a waterfall climb too! This bottom section (photo two) gives really good "value for money" in terms of challenge & adventure, so, we'll be starting here in the future!

Photo three was taken at "pool jumping venue # 4" which is a good half mile upstream from the very start of the gorge. By this time, the lads had already enjoyed three jumps - the highest of which must have been about 8 metres or so.

Here, the jumps (one on either side of the waterfall) are no more than 4 metres high but are enjoyable all the same. Of course, the lads did them both before climbing up the waterfall and moving on upstream - good stuff!

About half way up the Esk Gorge one arrives at the highest waterfall in the whole gorge, which surprisingly, only has a very shallow pool at it's foot - not a place for jumping then! Also the fall is steep and cannot be climbed - due in part to the sheer volume of water that cascades down it, so here, we exit on to the right bank (looking upstream) and climb steep clean rock to bypass the fall (photo four).

Immediately above is another waterfall with a deep pool at it's base - pool jumping venue # 6!

We started today's Esk Gorge Ghyll Scrambling Session about 11:30 am having arrived at about 11, then lunching before getting changed into wet-suits et cetera.

We did start the session by getting immersed in the pool immediately opposite the sheepfold to get "conditioned" before heading downstream to the really big pool. Getting from there back to our initial "get in point" took over half an hour!

By the time we had gotten out of the gorge (photo five) we had been in it for over four hours and had gotten roughly 2/3rds of the way up the gorge before it was decided by Steven to call "time" on the session. Water levels had been lower than three days earlier allowing Iain & the group to do more; and spend more time in the water. Consequently, the lads were now getting tired and a little chilly, so, it was a good point at which to finish. All four had had a fantastic time!

We were back at the rucksacks at about 3:45pm and it was good to get changed into dry clothes and enjoy the rest of our lunch and a flask of Iain's legendary Hot Chocolate.

We sat & took in the scenery for a while before packing up and heading back to the cars 3 km away at the foot of Hardknott Pass.

Today, was another perfect Esk Gorge Day with a bunch of fun loving young people who thoroughly enjoyed themselves here. Steven paid just £50 per person for this full day Ghyll Scrambling Session in Eskdale which was a 33% discount on our usual price of £75 each - this was applied as Steven was paying for the whole lot and had booked two consecutive days of activities with us!

The Esk Gorge Ghyll Scrambling Trip is one of the best guided adventures you can have in The Lake District - book it with us to have a thoroughly fantastic experience you will never forget! We look forward to working with you!

Half Day Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District. Stickle Ghyll, Tuesday 16th August 2016.

Another Ghyll Scrambling post; on yet another lovely sunny day!

The day after we had been out with Nick Sutcliffe & his daughter Freya in The Esk Gorge, were were back at Stickle Ghyll in Langdale with - Nick Sutcliffe and his other daughter Eleanor.

Now, adventurous Outdoor Activity Sessions were admittedly, not Eleanor's "thing" whereas very much the opposite is the case for both Dad - Nick & sister - Freya. However, as the whole family had come to The Lake District for a Summer Holiday on this occasion, Eleanor was persuaded by Nick to give Ghyll Scrambling a try.

Photo one sees Eleanor & Nick at the first deep pool in Stickle Ghyll getting nicely "hydrated". Today, Iain saw a Brown Trout in here - a rare sight indeed in any Ghyll Scrambling venue!

Photo two sees Eleanor achieving success on the first waterfall climb in Stickle Ghyll. Whilst only ten feet high, the rock is steep and slippery due to the water crashing down it and Eleanor found it very challenging due to the fact that initially, she struggled to find feet & handholds through the falling water; and actually felt quite scared.

However, with Iain's competent belaying (safeguarding Eleanor from falling through use of a tight climbing rope) and encouragement from a very competent Dad, Eleanor was looking a lot happier by the time she had climbed up to the top of the waterfall to the point where we got a smile and a thumbs up - excellent!

This was another one of those experiences where we helped someone's confidence grow and saw an improvement in their ability as the session progressed. This often happens during our Outdoor Activity Sessions in The Lake District - proving that there is more to our sessions than just having fun - but having fun is VERY important!

Photo three sees father & daughter enjoying one of Stickle Ghyll's deeper pools.

The venue has plenty of variation throughout it's length, deep pools to swim in, waterfalls to climb, a pool that is actually deep enough to jump into safely; and loads of interesting wet scrambling along it's lower section between the "get in" just uphill from the National Trust Car Park - all the way to the footbridge.

The upper section is steeper, with a couple of waterfalls that can be climbed - roped and some more deep pools. This section is altogether more challenging than the lower section of Stickle Ghyll, but does allow for a great progression from easier to harder Ghyll Scrambling - which is just what is needed as confidence grows in ones ability to progress and climb.

The final photo from this post about a half day Ghyll Scrambling Session on The Lake District is just great!

It shows a now, confident Eleanor as she approaches Iain at the top of the highest waterfall climb in Stickle Ghyll.

This waterfall is about 25 feet high and the rock is slippery; and then of course there is all of that water falling down on you too whilst you try to work out the route upwards! Eleanor climbed waterfall this no problem and thoroughly enjoyed her Ghyll Scrambling Experience with Iain & her Dad.

When asked if she would come back and have a go at The Esk Gorge by Nick, her response was "Err - maybe!" Well, hopefully, we'll see Eleanor & her Dad again next year!

Nick paid just £45 each for this half Day Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District for himself & Eleanor and this fee includes all of the specialist equipment you see the pair wearing. walking boots, a good wet-suit, & cagoule are essential for you to enjoy a comfortable Ghyll Scrambling Session whilst being continually soaked - so don't settle for anything less from one of our competitors!

Contact us here to book your Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District with us - this is one of the most fun family outings you can enjoy whilst on holiday here in The Lake District. We can guarantee - you won't be disappointed!

The Esk Gorge, The Lake District's most challenging Ghyll Scrambling Venue. Monday 15th August 2016.

Last Monday, Iain was back in action after a well earned weekend off with friends on The North York Moors. The day found him heading for The Esk Gorge with returning client Nick Sutcliffe & his daughter Freya. Nick & Freya came to us for three days of fantastic Outdoor Adventures for the first time in 2014 and again last year when we had some big days out. They were looking for something equally as big this time; and Iain thought The Esk Gorge would fit the bill perfectly!

Photo one sees Freya & Nick getting nicely hydrated at the start of the session before we headed up the waterfall behind and on into the gorge.

The Esk Gorge is the best Ghyll Scrambling Session The Lake District has to offer.The gorge is about 3km long and the River Esk drops in the region of 200 m on it's descent from Upper Eskdale into the lower valley, so, as you can imagine - there are a lot of waterfalls en route, some climbable, some not and some very deep pools with high rock walls allowing some big jumps to be made - in complete safety, into those pools - some 12 jumps in total up to 9 m in height! See a complete album of photos from a previous Esk Gorge Adventure here.

Photo two sees Nick, caught in mid air on a "burst shot" exposure and he sails through the air to land in the deep pool below at "jumping venue # 3" on our journey upstream.

Photo three was taken some time later at about the half way point on our Esk Gorge Ghyll Scrambling Session. This is the highest waterfall in the gorge although strangely, the pool at it's foot is very shallow indeed! Nick & Freya had just waded upstream in the left of the photo to the left hand fall and then continued under the main fall to emerge where they were stood.

We then climbed on dry rock up the wall to the right in this photo; and immediately above, there is another waterfall with another deep pool at it's base and this is "jumping venue # 5".

Last week was glorious weather (up until the Friday anyway!) and on Nick & Freya's visit to the Esk Gorge, the weather was in the low 20's (centigrade).

This meant that whenever we got out of the water, we were immediately warmed by the sun and all of the dry rock felt hot to the touch - not too hot, but just right. It was just what we needed today!

Photo four was taken at about 3:45 pm as we started our descent back to our hidden rucksacks at the gorge foot (we had started our ascent of the gorge at about 11:30 am!). In the distance, above Upper Eskdale, can be seen Scafell Pike (3210 feet) - England's highest mountain and we had just scrambled up the final section of gorge to be seen just below Freya & Nick.

The pair were lucky enough to enjoy the "complete" Esk Gorge experience from bottom to top and had attempted every challenging jump and waterfall climb along the way. We were very lucky to be blessed with such a warm day and it was great to get back to the rucksacks, get changed into dry clothes and then bask in the warmth for a while before we had to start the 3km walk back to Iain's car at the foot of Hardknott Pass.

The Esk Gorge is a brilliant day out and feels like a real expedition in to the mountains where challenge awaits with some of the biggest pool jumps to be found anywhere. We do recommend coming on one of our half day Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District before attempting this - but if you are made of stern stuff - then why not go & do it rightway!

Nick paid just £80 each for himself & Freya to enjoy this adventure with Iain - one of The Lake District's most experienced Ghyll Scrambling & Canyoning Guides. Contact Iain here to book your own Esk Gorge Ghyll Scrambling Day, you won't be disappointed!

Half Day Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District. Thursday 11th August, 2016.

A week has passed already since we last posted about our work in the Lake District where we have been continuing to provide groups and families with some fantastic adventures. As the weather has been warm, most of our recent work has seen us getting wet providing one Ghyll Scrambling Session after another - but we don't mind cos Ghyll Scrambling is great fun!

Photo one from this post about one of our Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District sees (left to right) Ambu, Akhil, Ragi & Hari who were on a visit to The Lake District and wanted to try out this fantastic sport!

The family didn't have transport whilst staying in the area, but we helped them out by picking them up from Brockhole and then dropping them back to Ambleside YHA at the end of their session.

Once at the National Trust car park at Langdale, Iain kitted everyone out in wetsuits, walking boots, cagoules, helmets & harnesses to keep them warm and comfortable for the fun that was going to be had. After all, they would all be soaking wet for the most part of it!

Photo two sees Ambu as Iain ropes him up the first waterfall in Stickle Ghyll. The whole family came this way and really enjoyed it!

Photo three sees Ambu at the top of the jump into the plunge pool in the lower section of Stickle Ghyll some time later.

All of the rest of the family had already done the jump - only a matter of six feet or so into the pool but that's quite a big jump for a nine year old lad who wasn't quite five feet tall.

It took Ambu a few moments to "go for it" despite a great deal of encouragement from his family and mother who is waiting with outstretched arms below, but in the end the little fella plucked up the courage and absolutely loved it!

We often find on our Outdoor Activity Sessions in The Lake District that people can turn up feeling anxious & unsure about whether or not they will be capable of doing the activity they have booked on to. Our role is to look after you, keep you safe and comfortable and to encourage you to try something challenging wherever possible. Without realising it at the time, many of our clients grow in confidence with our support during our sessions; and this all adds to the value that we try to provide to you!

And the confidence of Ambu, Akhil and Hari had certainly grown during their Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District with Iain. We reached a point where Ragi decided she had done enough and wanted to wait out whilst the three lads were really keen to explore the upper part of Stickle Ghyll which has some of the most challenging climbs and waterfalls that the venue has to offer.

Even little Ambu (whom Iain was concerned about getting cold) only wanted to forge on upstream climbing up waterfalls and wading swimming through pools - obviously all of that equipment we provide you with as part of your fee per person works well at insulating bodies!

Photo four sees Akhil approaching Ian at the top of the final big waterfall in Stickle Ghyll. Ambu was already up and Hari soon followed. At that point, we decided to call it a day as there was quite a bit of water in the ghyll and everyone was well and truly satisfied with what they had achieved on their Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District.

The family paid just £45 each; and £30 for Ambu as we provide additional discounts for families with children.

Ghyll Scrambling in one of the must fun & exhilarating things you can do in the area in hot sunny Summer weather; or even on a wet day! Contact us here to book your Ghyll Scrambling Session, we look forward to working with you!

Introductory Kayaking Sessions in The Lake District, Windermere. Wednesday August, 10th 2016.

This afternoon, Iain has been running an introductory Kayaking Session in The Lake District for the Thomas Family from London who have been staying in the area for almost a fortnight.

Ian Thomas (Dad), had originally tried to book a kayaking session with one of our competitors (with whom they went Ghyll Scrambling) but found the other business hard work when it came to booking a kayaking session. Ian found that we did Introductory Kayaking Sessions through a Google search and contacted us. He found our speedy response much more positive!

Iain met Ian and sons Oscar and Alex  (in the "hoodie in photo one) at Fell Foot Country Park at Windermere's southern end. Non of the three had kayaked before and the children were quite young for attempting kayaking anyway (Alex was only six) but we got kitted out and got on the lake with some prior instruction to the three about how to paddle the kayak when we got on the water.

Photo two was taken some time later downstream  of the lake when Iain got the three to raft up; and then gave the boys the opportunity to run around the rafted boats - they thought this was great fun!

Kayaking for youngsters, particularly during their first ever session is going to be less about learning all of the necessary skills required to get a kayak to go in a straight line forward or backwards or be able to turn their craft around. No - the session should be about having fun and playing a few games and maybe trying a few unusual but safe alternatives.

Kayaks are designed to be paddled solo - that means - by a person on their own. Ian & Oscar mastered this task pretty well, but Alex struggled - not for wont of trying though. Iain thought it might be better for him if he & Oscar tandem paddled a single person kayak as in photo three. The challenge with this task was going to be keeping the kayak balanced so that they didn't both fall in.

As you might imagine that didn't work too well!!

Photo four sees a tired but happy Alex with a smile on his face despite being a little chilly from his swim. For a six year old he had done really well having mastered paddling a Kayak to a degree and having travelled best part of two miles down the river to Newby Bridge and back.

He had played some kayaking games with his Dad & brother and had gotten wet when they all went wrong, but falling into the lake was all part of the fun; and it hadn't been a bad experience and when he'd had enough, Iain towed him all the way back to Fell Foot.

Ian considered that the session had been pitched "at the right level for them all" - so hopefully, we'll see them again for some more adventurous Outdoor Activities on their next visit to The Lake District!

Ian paid just £40 each for the three's Introductory half day Kayaking Session in The Lake District with us as we had applied a bit of discount for the children. All of the equipment you see the family wearing - wetsuits, cagoules, buoyancy aids and the kayaks & paddles were all supplied as part of their fee as well as tuition by one of The Lake District's most experienced Outdoor Instructors.

To experience some of the best value for money outdoor activity sessions you can buy in The Lake District this Summer Holiday - contact us here. You won't be disappointed!

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!