The Aonach Eagach. A classic Scottish Mountaineering Traverse. Saturday September 3rd, 2016.

Three days ago (is it really that already!!), Iain was at work guiding on the Aonach Eagach Ridge in Scotland.

The Aonach Eagach (Gaelic for "notched" ridge) is a precipitous ridge running east-west and forming the south side of Glen Coe. Most people traverse the ridge from east to west as we did on Saturday. We started our route from the small layby on the A82 at the foot of the south ridge of Am Bodach.

The weather was cloudy and we had intermittent bursts of fine drizzle - you can see what it was like in photo one with Steve & Kerstine. In the background - across Glen Coe is Gearr Aonach (the middle one of the three sisters with Coire Gabhail (the lost valley) to it's left. It was there that the MacDonald Clan hid their cattle during the Glen Coe Massacre of 1692.

The Aonach Eagach is a serious undertaking and whilst the total distance distance travelled from end to end is only around seven kilometres, the ridge line between Am Bodach and Stob Coire Leith is difficult (a grade II scramble) and because of this one really should be competent at scrambling.

The route is in places, very narrow and exposed - particularly at the pinnacles and there are places where down-climbing  rock is required and where the use of a rope is advisable. There are certainly plenty of places where a slip can turn into something more serious. It is well worth considering hiring a Mountaineering Instructor for the day to guide you along this ridge as was the case when Iain had been hired to guide Steve & Kerstine along the route.

The last few times Iain has been on the Aonach Eagach have been in winter and plants such as the one seen in photo two were buried under snow then. This "plant" was in fact a tree - a Rowan or Mountain Ash way up at 3000 feet on the ridge just beyond the summit of Am Bodach and it was not the only one we saw today. In actual fact, the ridge, despite however around the 3000 foot mark throughout it's length is a pretty verdant place with lots of different vegetation thriving in the moist atmosphere. It was really nice to see!

We reached the summit of Am Bodach at the Aonach Eagach's eastern end quite quickly today. Having set off from the car park at around 08:30, we were on the summit by 11:15.Here, we had a short break then we got helmets & harnesses on - ready for what was to come very shortly afterwards!

Having marvelled at the sight of a real tree (albeit a very small one) growing on the ridge, we descended slightly further on to a point where the ridge drops steeply before levelling off again about 25 metres below us. This is the first difficulty on this east-west traverse and one can either down-climb in two stages or abseil the whole lot in one go. To Iain, abseiling made more sense as the rocks were wet and slippery and there is a convenient boulder at the top of this "pitch" around which a 60 metre rope can be doubled; and with both ends dropped down the pitch it easily reaches the foot.

Steve & Kerstine were attached to both sides the the rope by means of a sling and a belay device each using a method known as a stacked abseil (photo three) Using this method allowed Iain to descend first and then protect each person as they followed him down this first pitch.

Photo four sees Kerstine (who was next in the queue for abseiling after Iain) holding the rope ends for Steve who was the last to descend this first "pitch" on the Aonach Eagach traverse.

The idea with a "stacked abseil" is that everyone is attached to the ropes before the instructor leaves the stance and everyone remains secured until the abseil has been completed - each person down then holds the ropes for the person descending behind them with the intention that if the abseiling person lets go the trailing ropes the person below then pulls the ropes tight acting as a "safety back-up". The instructor will often do this job for everyone descending if it is necessary.

Steve can be seen abseiling (in the centre of the photo) and once he was down, we had another short scrambling section to descend to get down to the low point point on the ridge between Am Bodach and Meall Dearg. Here, the rope was packed away again so that we could "crack on" with our traverse of the Aonach Eagach Ridge.

Photo five was taken a short while after we had descended the first "step" off Am Bodach. Beyond here, the ridge broadens as we begin our ascent to Meall Dearg - the first "Munro Summit" on the Aonach Eagach Traverse at 953 metres. The route gradually ascends to a minor top along the way then a short decent followed by a slightly longer re-ascent brings one to the top of Meall Dearg.

As can be seen in photo five, the weather at this point was still cloudy although the cloud was beginning to break up. Furthermore, there was none of the forecast 25 - 35mph wind indicated by MWIS and it was no longer drizzling. If it remained like this then that would be fine, but in actual fact, the weather got much better!

Photo six was a snap of Kerstine & Steve taken at the summit of Meall Dearg.

Meall Dearg is one of only two "classified" Munro summits on the Aonach Eagach. A Munro is a mountain of over 3000 feet (914 metres) in height and there are 284 Munro Summits in Scotland. One might well ask why all four major tops on the ridge are not classed as Munros as Am Bodach is 943 metres, and Stob Coire Leith is 940 metres in addition to Meal Dearg at 543 metres and Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh at 967 metres. We are afraid that a definitive answer eludes us at the current time!

Anyway, we arrived here at mid-day which Iain felt was good going but he pressed us to continue on towards the famous pinnacles further along the ridge to the west before we stopped for lunch. It seemed like a good plan!

By the time photo seven was taken, we had a view!

Shortly after leaving the top of Meall Dearg, the cloud started to clear and on occasion, we had blue sky and sunshine. Certainly, the day had improved from it's damp start and the conditions we now found ourselves in were very pleasant indeed!

There is nothing much less inspiring than a mountain expedition where there are no views due to cloud, so it's great to go out and see things actually improve! In photo seven, Steve, followed by Iain are making good progress along the ridge towards the tricky section way in the distance. Glen Coe and Loch Atriochtan are visible way down below on the left. It was just stunning!

An hour later, the weather had "clagged back in" slightly but only briefly! We had stopped for lunch and enjoyed it in bright sunny conditions, with great views down in to Glen Coe and across to the summits surrounding Bidean Nam Bian on the opposite side of the valley. Now, it was definitely time to rope up for the next section!

A short scramble down and climb back up brought us to another short descent on to the narrowest part of the ridge where two rock pinnacles have to be traversed. Whilst to do this is not particularly difficult, the exposure overlooking steep drops on either side is fairly challenging to someone who is not a "scrambler" and certainly to slip here would have serious consequences. In photo eight, Steve is just passing the first pinnacle as Kerstine starts past the second. The good thing is that with a couple of 16 foot Dyneema slings one can "lasso" each pinnacle using them as running belays for anyone making the traverse roped up and that was what Iain did here today.

Photo nine was taken shortly after our traverse of the pinnacles and is looking back east along the Aonach Eagach.

The summit of Meall Dearg (just right of centre) is almost completely hidden by cloud whilst Am Bodach - a kilometre beyond, is largely clear of cloud at this point.

Here, on the last summit before we reached the bealach (col) leading up to Stob Coire Leith, we were not "out of the woods" yet! There remained some down-climbing on slabby rock (often abseiled in winter conditions) and then a bit ascent & descent before we reached the bealach where we could remove the rope knowing that we had now passed all difficulties that the Aonach Eagach has to offer. We reached there at 3pm, still good going!

Photo ten was snapped by Kerstine as we descended to the bealach in question and shows the contrast between the lush grasses growing in the foreground and Glen Coe/Loch Atriochtan in the distance.

Indeed, the vegetation throughout the traverse was lush away from the crest of the ridge and we saw several tiny Rowan trees growing and also some Hogweed as well. Obviously, the ridge's altitude and precipitous nature accounts for the lack of sheep which would have a devastating effect on all of this growth and Feral Goats could undoubtedly get here, but there are reportedly none in the area. However, we did see a Mountain Hare on the ridge shortly after our first abseil which was amazing!

Photo eleven was taken  at around 3:45 pm as we were en route for the summit of Stob Coire Leith.

Here, Steve & Kerstine look back to the last section of ridge which appears to be smoking ominously as if it were the edge of some active volcanic crater. The section of ridge in view here is the most difficult part of the Aonach Eagach Traverse - starting with the pinnacles just beyond the visible summit and then the descent down a steep rocky slab followed by a number of short climbs up and more descent. It's always a good feeling to reach that bealach before heading up this way.

After we had unroped and packed all of our climbing equipment away, we decided to continue on to the summit of Stob Coire Leith before having a drink and a bite to eat. As far as time was concerned, we were still going well and we had plenty of light left.

Photo twelve sees Kerstine & Steve just beyond the summit of Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh - at 967 metres, the highest summit (and Munro) on the Aonach Eagach Traverse; and also the easiest one to get to the top of.

From here, there a three ways off - down the slope to the left of the photo, steeply through scree to reach the A82 next to Loch Atriochtan in Glen Coe, over the end of the ridge and down the side of Clachaig (the most hazardous route for masochists only!) and the more common descent route from the subsidiary summit in the background down to the right in the direction of Sgorr Na Ciche (The Pap of Glen Coe) actually visible just to the right of Steve.

We had already decided on the latter route before starting out for the day and Steve & Kerstine had left their car parked at the foot of the path which ends at the bottom of the slope in this photo (where the white dot is just left of centre beyond the scree slope in the foreground). In the distance can be seen Glen Coe Village, Loch Leven, the Ballachulish Bridge and Loch Linnhe.

The path is good at first amongst the scree but then becomes more difficult once one reaches the grass where it degenerates into a rubble filled trench alternating with muddy sections. However, it is preferable to the alternative descent routes for definite! It took us an hour & a half to get back to the car and we were quite pooped by the time we got there - but what a day out it had been.

Kendal Mountaineering Services (despite the name) offer Guided Scrambling Courses throughout the UK, so if you are interested in booking one of our Mountaineering Instructors for a great day out in the mountains then do contact us here. We look forward to working with you!

Guided Fell Walking in The Lake District. An ascent of Glaramara. Saturday 27th August 2016.

After only a few days, Iain was out providing yet another Guided Fell Walking Day in The Lake District for Donise Winter, her daughter Leila and Donise's sister Nicole. However, on this occasion, they were joined by their friend Tim, also from London.

It had been an ambition of Donise's to climb Glaramara for some time and she thought that this would be an attainable object for her daughter & group of friends. Indeed, Donise & Leila had successfully climbed Scafell Pike from Seathwaite with Iain only a matter of a month earlier, so Iain believed this objective was a perfectly achievable objective for them today.

Photo one sees the group as we headed up the footpath from Borrowdale into the Combe Gill Valley. Iain had collected Donise & Leila from home and Tim & Nicole from the Cragwood Hotel where they were staying and had driven the group to Borrowdale where we parked on the Stonethwaite Road. We took a footpath via St Andrews Church past the local primary school; and after a short distance on the main road, picked up the path to take us directly to Glaramara.

Photo two sees our group some time later with a view up Combe Gill to Raven Crag (immediately above Donise) famous for it's 8 pitch mountaineering rock climbing route. Our route would follow the right hand skyline towards the summit just left of centre (Combe Head) The true summit of Glaramara is actually out of sight in photo two just beyond Combe Head.

Photo three sees Tim, Leila, Donise & Nicole several hours later after we had travelled a further 2 km with the summit buttress of Glaramara behind us and now only some 300 metres distant.

To get to this point had taken us about four hours, with two stops along the way and Leila delighting in clambering over every bit of rock she could find near to the path along our route. The way to the summit behind us involved walking straight towards the dip in the middle, but this also meant scrambling up a rock step which Iain felt might be difficult for Tim. Iain suggested that Tim, Donise and Nicole made their around the foot of the final buttress rightwards - up the easier route to the summit, whilst he indulged Leila's passion for climbing by scrambling straight up the summit buttress with her.

Our final photo from this post about a Guided Fell Walking Day in The Lake District sees the whole group at Glaramara's summit; cairn on what had been a beautiful day throughout.

Our route from Stonethwaite had taken us almost five hours, but given that Tim has been a Parkinson's sufferer for many years - getting to this summit was a massive achievement for him and for Nicole who doesn't get much of an opportunity to go walking up big mountains. We set off on the return journey and reached the car at around 5:45 pm before enjoying a refreshing drink at The Langstrath Country Inn in Stonethwaite which was understandably heaving on this Bank Holiday Saturday! It was about 7pm before Iain returned the group to Donise's at Troutbeck. It had been a long day out, but the weather was good; and from Iain's perspective, it was great to be able to help these people reach the top of another great Lake District mountain.

For people who don't know. Glaramara lies at the head of Borrowdale in The Lake District and it is the highest point of a 6 km ridge separating the valleys of Langstrath and Borrowdale. Our route took us from Stonethwaite up into the pretty valley of Combe Gill and on along the west ridge to the summit. Total distance travelled would have been 8 km or approximately 5 miles; and our height gain was 683 metres or 2240 feet.

A pretty alternative to our route can be to start at Stanger Gill just up the valley from Stonethwaite opposite the camp-site and climb steeply up to gain the summit of Bessyboot (Rosthwaite Fell). From here, one can then continue past Tarn at Leaves along the undulating ridge to Combe Door at the head of the Combe Gill valley then on to Glaramara. Our route then makes for an easy return to the valley floor and Stonethwaite. For Rock Climbers & Scramblers - in the Combe Gill valley there are venues such as Glaciated Slab and Corvus on Raven Crag which is a much sought after classic rock climbing tick. Another alternative way on to Glaramara is by way of the Langstrath Valley to just beyond Blackmoss Pot and then one takes the line of buttresses rising to the right (Cam Crag) as another scrambling route. From the top of Cam Crag, one heads left to get to Combe Door, Combe Head; and the summit of Glaramara.

Iain at Kendal Mountaineering Services is an experienced Mountaineering Instructor with a lifetime of experience walking, climbing & scrambling on The Lake District's Fells. Contact him at Kendal Mountaineering Services to arrange your Guided Fell Walk in The Lake District and if you would like to take in a rock climb or a scramble along the way en route to your summit of choice, then he will be happy to arrange this for you. We look forward to working with you.

Canyoning Half Days in The Lake District. Church Beck, Coniston, August 26th, 2016.

Last week, we were called at short notice by Michelle Sheard & her family who were all staying in The Lake District on holiday having travelled over from Leeds. Michelle was looking to book a half day Canyoning Session in The Lake District and had already contacted a number of providers before coming across our leaflet at Bowness TIC. Michelle liked the look of what we offer and contacted Iain who was available to run their Canyoning Session on Friday.

Photo one sees (left to right) Lydia, Michelle, John, Madison & Dylan all kitted out; and ready to start their Canyoning Session.

Iain chose Church beck for its proximity to where the family were staying, but also because it is one of the Lake District's best Canyoning Venues.

The usable section is to be found at the back of Coniston Village, a short walk up Coppermines Lane. We get in just below the hydro-electric plant dam and are immediately into the first waterfall lower (photo two) This is not high, only about 8 feet, but it is a good way to prepare people for the bigger, more challenging waterfalls ahead!

After the first waterfall lower, we travel but a few metres onwards to the next waterfall. Here, we cannot jump into the pool at the waterfall (there is a big rock in the bottom) nor are there anchor points for a lower into the pool, so we bypass the fall, scramble down the rocks and jump into the deep pool. After a 100 metre walk downstream (today on delightfully clean & "grippy" after the scouring action of last Saturday's flood) to Miners Bridge which is followed by the Miners Bridge waterfall Lower. Having lowered the whole family down this fall (photo three) we then set off to the really challenging part of this Canyoning Descent in The Lake District - The Top Jumps.

The top jumps describe a section where Church Beck is funneled into a narrow slot with three waterfalls and three deep pools in succession.

The first fall requires the use of the rope to safeguard clients to a point where they can jump six feet into the pool below, below the next fall is another rock and the jump is risky, so we avoid that, swim the pool below and then slide down the next fall into the final pool - watch the video! Below here is a walk downstream to the bottom waterfall which we climb in ascent as in photo four.

Below this point the beck becomes subject to a user agreement in which we are required to pay £6 for each adult of £3 per child (we would have to pass this cost on to you so we'd rather not bother!) So, what we do is turn around and do a short Ghyll Scrambling Ascent back to the Chock-stone Slide. Along the way, it is possible to do a "tricky" rock climbing traverse around the back of a deep pool (penalty for failure is, of course, a thorough ducking!) and a low jump & swim in the pool above. The "grand finale" is to exit the left bank of the beck below the Chock-stone Slide and do a 20 foot jump from that bank into the pool below before doing the Chock-stone Slide one final time - an exhilarating & challenging finish to a great Canyoning adventure!

Our half day Canyoning Sessions in The Lake District cost just £45 per person for a four hour session. Children receive a discount ie Michelle paid just £30 each for the 3 children. The fee includes the provision of wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets harnesses, cagoules and walking boots as well as guiding by one of our experienced canyoning instructors. Contact us here to book your Canyoning Session in The Lake District - you won't be disappointed

Guided Fell-walking days in The Lake District, Thursday 25th August 2016.

Last Thursday, we were out with returning client Donise Winter, her daughter Leila; and Donise's sister Nicole who were looking for some Guided Fell Walking in The Lake District in the run up to the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Donise & her daughter regularly come up to their cottage in The Lake District and were in the area for a week. They had a full itinerary planned and were looking for a shortened walk for Thursday to finish at 2 pm. As the group were staying in the Troutbeck area Iain suggested a circuit of Wansfell Pike from Ambleside. Photo one sees Nicole, Leila and Donise as we walked one of the many bridleways en route to Wansfell Pike on this cloudy, but calm & warm day.

Iain collected all three at 9 am and by 09:30, we had started the walk from Ambleside. Our route took us along the bridleway through Skelghyll Woods and on past the viewpoint of Jenkin Crag from where one has a superb view over Windermere. We had a brief snack stop just prior to reaching High Skelghyll Farm before travelling on to turn left on to the "Hundreds Road" where photo one was taken.

We continued on to the end of this lane and followed the upper reaches of Hol Beck for a short way before climbing a short but rather steeper section of path to the summit of Wansfell Pike (photo two)

All in all, our route took us around 3 hours to reach the summit as the family had wanted to have a gentle stroll in scenic surroundings. Our route was a gradually rising traverse - firstly through magnificent woodland, then scenic typical Lake District Hill farming terrain and ultimately on to one of the areas best view points.

At just 484 metres/1588 feet high, Wansfell Pike is less than half the height of some of The Lake Districts highest mountains, but it's commanding view over Ambleside and Windermere makes it one of the most climbed mountains in The Lake District for certain.

Our scenic, gradual ascent route was largely free of other walkers - indeed, we passed only some ten people on our route up although going down, we must have passed some fifty persons making the "short & sweet" (or steep - as Iain would put it!) ascent straight up the north west slope directly from Ambleside (photo three). It was definitely a route for descent and not ascent today!

This path takes you directly down to the road leading in to Ambleside Town Centre via Stock Ghyll waterfalls, however, our route took us back, firstly via a pretty bridleway; and then through peaceful housing estate directly back to the car which we reached by....2 pm, just!

Donise, Leila & Nicole enjoyed their shortened Fell Walking Day in The Lake District with Iain who is a knowledgeable and experienced Mountain Walking Leader. If you are coming to The Lake District and have aspirations to be guided up any of the areas mountains then give us a call and we can guide you - in Winter as well as Summer; and if you fancy taking in a classic scrambling route along the way, we can arrange that too!

Ghyll Scrambling half day sessions in The Lake District. Wren Gill, Wednesday 24th August 2016.

On Wednesday last week, Iain was back out working with Steven Finkill again, who had returned with another two of his young relatives for some Ghyll Scrambling fun (photo one).

Niece Amy & Nephew Dylan both come from Newcastle and during their Summer Holidays, neither have experienced anything remotely like Ghyll Scrambling, so they are really lucky to have Uncle Steven who was keen that they should try this activity - so keen in fact, that he had driven all the way from Manchester to collect them before travelling on to meet Iain in Kendal.

The weather was good for the pairs introduction to Ghyll Scrambling being warm & sunny. Iain collected the trio in Kendal and we took the Land Rover all the way up Longsleddale to park up near the get in point for Wren Gill.

We got dressed in the usual wetsuits, cagoules, walking boots, helmets & harnesses and Iain added some buoyancy aids as there are some deep pools in this venue. In photo two we hadn't quite gotten to the really deep bit, but here Steven & Dylan emerge from hiding behind a waterfall - great fun!

Photo three sees uncle Steven taking the plunge into one of the deepest pools at Wren Gill. There are a number of places where one can jump in and up until today this had been the first place where we would usually do this sort of thing. However, this time we had started 200 m further down the ghyll than usual and there, Iain found another jump ideal for children and adults (provided you brought your legs up & did a "bomb").

By the time we got to the jump & deep pool in this photo, we had already been in the water for several hours and the kids were having a great time.

Our final photo from this post about Ghyll Scrambling in The Lake District sees Steven giving Amy a leg up at the entrance to Cleft Ghyll - a place where Wren Gill crashes down a 30 foot narrow slot - it's not a place for climbing but one can a great deal of fun just getting to this place from where we started! And we'd had a great deal of fun too, climbing up waterfalls, jumping off the sides into pools on at least three occasions, wading upstream whilst comfortable in the equipment that we provide you for all of our Ghyll Scrambling Sessions.

As the children were now getting a little chilly, it was time to go and get dry and enjoy some of Iain's famous hot chocolate!

Steven paid just £40 each for the three to enjoy a half day (four hour) Ghyll Scrambling session in The Lake District with us. We had applied some discount for the children, but then Steven gave Iain a tip anyway (thanks Steven!) All of the equipment you see everyone wearing is included in the price and if you are staying in the Kendal area then an off road session in a classic Land Rover is included.

Please note - our Wren Gill Ghyll Scrambling Sessions are limited to a maximum of five persons only.

Contact us here to book your Ghyll Scrambling session in The Lake District, we look forward to working with you!

Kayaking Journeys in The Lake District. Derwentwater & the Middle Derwent. Friday 19th August 2016.

Yesterday, Iain was back out with Steven, Guy, Nathan & Sam for a completely different adventure on water - rather than in it if possible!

The weather was also different, cooler, cloudy and wet as a forecasted low pressure system moved in off the Atlantic - this was why we had chosen to go to The Esk Gorge the previous day; and a good plan that had been too!

At part of their two days out with Iain, Steven had wanted the lads to experience Kayaking - preferably on moving water. Firstly, Iain needed them to learn some basic flat water Skills. Where better a place to do both? Derwentwater of course!

We got to Kettlewell Car Park on Derwentwater at about 09:15 and after getting everyone kitted out and all of the equipment ready, Iain's car was moved to a layby near Mirehouse just opposite the land leading up from our "get-out" point on the River Derwent at Low Stock Bridge. Steven then drove Iain back to Kettlewell so we could start the session from there.

We then spent the first half of our day learning skills on Derwentwater (photo two) and lunching on St Herbert's Island before entering the River Derwent to start our "moving water phase" of the day's adventure. Our journey north up Derwentwater had been marked by an increasing south westerly wind which certainly made this first part of the day feel like another "true adventure".

Once on the River Derwent, the "adventure dynamics" changed. Now the group were on a moving river where they didn't know what was around the next bend.

We spent a fair bit of time at the outset talking about back paddling to slow ourselves down in the current, reverse ferry gliding to get ourselves in position on the flow and we evening got out on occasion to view rapids and discuss the best line of descent through these. Exciting - yet technical stuff!

Photo three sees the lads watching Uncle Steven as he attempts to follow their line down the easy rapid in to the eddy in which we were all "parked" waiting. Of course - he made it ok!

Photo four was taken several hours later and some four miles downstream and sees the lads draining out their kayaks after we had exited the river at the get-out point at Low Stock Bridge.

We had negotiated our way through countless easy rapids, taking the safest line each time, we had played (surfed) on a standing wave on the man made weir just downstream from Portinscale footbridge and everyone (except Sam - holding his kayak upright in this photo) had taken at least one swim; and survived! All had learnt new skills in an entirely "new" environment.

All part of a good fun introductory session on moving water we'd say!

This was the second of two exceptionally good "adventure days" for the lads, two different days with different challenges to overcome and new skills to be learnt. Again, we charged Steven just £50 per person for this full day of introductions to flat & moving water kayaking and the lads thoroughly enjoyed themselves. All of the equipment you see the group using in photo four was supplied as part of that fee per person.

If you would like a half or full day of Kayaking on flat or moving water, then contact us to discuss your requirements and we will be happy to arrange a session to suit your needs. You won't be disappointed!

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!