Well it would be rude not to be making the most of the wall to wall sunshine her in the Lake District at the moment. So we're just back from a day out in Borrowdale.
The morning was spent rock climbing at Black crag with Anna. We did Troutdale ridge, an MVS 4b route with 3 pitches. The middle pitch is the best, but all are worthy, albeit a little mucky.
We finished the morning with some simply rescue scenarios, including abseiling passed a knotted rope.

For the afternoon we headed firstly to the Lodore farm cafe for tea & cakes :-)
Then on to Shepherds crag for more rock climbing. This time with Kate & Leanne. We chose Ardus, a 3 pitch MVS 4b again. Excellent rock and protection throughout, with exciting moves and a thrilling traverse towards the sun to finish. 

​The crags are all in great condition, perfect for rock climbing. The fells are dry too, so great conditions for hill walking and exploring the Lakeland fells.

If you're planning a visit and would like any help or advice, please let us know anytime.

Thanks to Anna, Kate, and Leanne.

All the best

Mark

Really nice to welcome back Joe, Seth, Luke, Matt, and Hannan. And to meet Sarah, Betty, and Phil. A full day of rock on Saturday for everyone, with some managing 9 routes up to E2!!

We began at Long Scar, a fast drying mountain crag with loads of fine routes of rough Lakeland rock, Brecciated Andesite in case you're interested. It's a delight to climb here, with all routes being well worthwhile. For most of the time we had the place to ourselves, so set up plenty of routes for everyone to enjoy. Joe set up a top-rope but found the top of the crag to be massively colder (windy) than the warm base, sorry Joe!

After lunch we walked the short distance to Black crag, again we had the place to ourselves for virtually all the time. Ticking off another 6 routes here ensured everyone's muscles were tested to the max and that lovely tired feeling flowed over us all. A fantastic day in the mountains, thanks all.

Most of the team were going Mountain Biking today, but Phil & Betty were up for more rock climbing, so we headed into Langdale valley to Raven crag. It was much quieter than i'd expected and we had the pick of the routes. Original Route for starters then. With yesterday being their first ever time on 'real rock', jumping on a multi-pitch was always going to be a big step, seconding the route with all that implies. Both managed this brilliantly.
After lunch we stepped up the grade and moved over to 'Revelation' a 3 star Hard Severe, which if longer would deserve classic status. Doing this in a single pitch allowed both to enjoy a super long (almost 45m) pitch of rock climbing, really getting into it, enjoying the challenge, the exposure, the mental aspect, the physical.
Both now making their way back to London, but happier having being 'earthed' to the rock and experiencing new challenges all weekend.

Thanks all, we hope to see you again for more soon.

Mark 

This week has been super busy and varied. The weather has mostly been kind too, which always helps.

On Wednesday we had a team day out on Gimmer crag in Langdale. This is one of my favourite crags, the climbs are simply outstanding and cover the grade range, so something for everyone. Shortly after we arrived though, the rain started, as we had quite hard routes in mind, we decided to wait a while in the hope it would clear up, it did, until the thunder started!! We packed up and started to head for home, feeling a bit unhappy about the weather and lack of climbing, but not wanting to be caught out by a storm.
Whilst walking away from the crag we noticed many climbers arriving and seemingly undeterred by the thunder. Certainly over 10, maybe 15 climbers arrived, very unusual for a midweek day on Gimmer. Anyway, we stopped a while and watched as they geared up. I realised i'd put my sunglasses back on and looking up noticed the blue sky overhead, happy days.
As it was quite a trek back to where our chosen routes were, we decided instead to climb on the Main Wall area of crag instead, this is an area of Gimmer we hadn't yet explored.
Starting with 'Main Wall Climb' a 2 star v'diff we found it to be very pleasant and typical of Gimmer climbing. I was keen for something a little more challenging so we also climbed 'Purple Edge' a 2 star VS route, managing all 49m of it in one pitch!
We would have climbed another route, but had a meeting planned in Ambleside that evening so had to dash. Thank you Gimmer for exceeding expectations yet again.

On Thursday I was out with Howard & Simone from London. Visiting for just a few days and wanting to summit Helvellyn within that time frame, they called us for route advice and to make a plan. We ascended to Red Tarn from Glenridding. Unfortunately the cloud was at the level of Red Tarn, so views were limited, but it was very atmospheric. We continued to Swirral Edge and onto the summit of Helvellyn, still in the cloud!
Our return route via Lower Man & Whiteside brought us better fortune with increasingly good views of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Overall the conditions were favourable, despite the low cloud.

Friday saw a return to rock climbing, this time with Roger from North Wales. We climbed on the Pike O'Blisco crags high above Langdale. Starting with a few routes on Long Scar, nice and easy to begin with, but soon moving onto steeper terrain. Then it was over to Black crag (only 5 mins walk away) and more fine routes up to E2.
We covered a range of skills including: gear removal, building anchors, abseiling, hoisting, all whilst climbing 7 fine routes.

On Saturday afternoon we introduced Rebecca & Matteo to Gorge Scrambling. We enjoyed amazing conditions in the gorge, with evening sun flooding down onto us and creating rainbows in the waterfalls. Swims, jumps, and climbs were enjoyed and finished off with a visit to the Sticklebarn pub for hot chocolate (not for me, I had to dash over to Wasdale for more Scafell Pike fun). This couple are quite extraordinary and I have to share their amazing feat here. Earlier in the year Matteo had competed in the Atlantic Challenge rowing race. That sounds pretty cool right. It gets ever more impressive. Not only did Matteo compete, he rowed solo for 50+ days, he won, and broke the solo record. I urge you to read more here: https://www.taliskerwhiskyatlanticchallenge.com/the-teams/sogno-atlantico/

Thanks all for yet another fantastic week

Mark
​

Last week was half term and with the sun shining every day, we had a very busy and enjoyable week.  One popular activity we do is our Family Adventure Day.  There are various options depending on the ages of the children, the weather and what our clients want out of the day.   

Families who prefer less walking to the day can enjoy the valley option.  We spend the morning in Langdale where you are spoilt with views of this popular and beautiful valley; the dramatic skyline of the Langdale Pikes always drawing your eyes to it.  We do some fun rock-climbing, starting with easy climbs and testing yourselves on harder ones if you wish.  We then head over to Cathedral quarry for a picnic lunch at a place which never ceases to amaze people – you walk through a dark tunnel and appear in a huge cavern, lit up with rays of sun pouring through the ‘window’.  This man-made quarry gets its name ‘Cathedral’ from the huge pillar inside the cavern.  As well as the caverns there are long, dark tunnels to explore, always good fun - one is 120m long so we take a torch!  There is an abseil here too, just long enough for children but long enough to give a challenge.

Last week the weather was perfect for an adventurous day out in the mountains. So with two families – 3 adults and 5 children from 8 to 17 years old we drove up to the top of the Wrynose Pass and headed up Pike O’Blisco.  We stayed off path for most of the day, scrambling over small rocky outcrops – for anyone not familiar with scrambling, in this case it is very easy rock-climbing on low level rocks, for which you don’t need a rope.  Children of all ages love this and the joy of it is that you can choose your route, so it can be easy or a little harder, or you can simply walk around it.

We scrambled our way up the mountain until we reached the crag of Long Scar, seeing lots of interest on route - sheep and lambs (Herdwicks and Swaledales), plants including Sundew, one of only two insectivorous plants in the UK, and some fascinating rock formations. 

Long Scar is a lovely climbing crag about 12m tall and here everyone enjoyed some rock-climbing on the end of a rope on either the ‘easy’ climb or the ‘hard’ climb for those who wanted to challenge themselves, or both!   Here we enjoyed a well-earned picnic lunch whilst being treated to stunning of the Lake District fells including Wetherlam, Swirl How, Cold Pike and Crinkle Crags.

Everyone then fancied the idea of abseiling; some were worried because of previous experiences, however the slabs we use on Black Crag are not at all intimidating and perfect for ‘first timers’ and especially good for youngsters too. Everyone did it at least once and the children all came back for another turn.  You also get to do some more easy climbing as it is quicker and far more enjoyable to climb back up to the top than to walk around.

Time enjoyed always passes quickly and before we knew it was time to return to the cars.  Here I left them as the adults were keen to finish their day by testing their driving skills over the famous Hardknott Pass, a single track, twisty road with a gradient of 1 in 3, the steepest road in England (along with Rosedale Chimney in North Yorkshire). 

Thanks for a great day out Eric, Johnny, Sarah, Matt, Georgie, Tristan, Theo and Thomas!

It's been another very busy few days here in the Lakes, and the weather has remained amazing throughout. Colours are now turning with autumn well and truly on the way. So the coming few weeks will be the perfect time to visit the area and enjoy the autumnal colours whilst they last.

We've been helping our friends at Highpoint Mountain Guides - guiding Geology students up Jacks Rake on Pavey Ark. This classic scramble is always memorable and can be enjoyed during most weather conditions.

We've been around the Elterwater circuit a couple of times too. Organising guided walks for Canadian couple Monty & Frith, and a couple from Devizes Gemma & Jonathan. This walk never fails to impress, with so many highlights along the way and something of interest around every corner.

The water in the gorges is still rather pleasant. We've been in the Langdale gorges a few times recently, and water levels have been low - moderate meaning all the big obstacles have been successfully tackled by our parties.

Not satisfied with only day work, I was also involved in a 3 Peaks challenge event (working on behalf of Advocate Events) on Scafell Pike. The moon was so bright that head torches were not needed even though we walked between the hours of 11pm and 4am!! I think this is a first for us.

Towards the end of the week it was back out on the rock for an indoor to outdoor climbing transition course with Tom, Alice, and Jack from London. We did this at Church crag in St. John's in the Vale. Catching all the morning sun, this proved a perfect venue for our early session. Views to Blencathra are unsurpassed too.

Then it was onto a Navigation skills course for Renata & Anna. We based this above the village of Elterwater and covered skills ranging from basic map reading, to walking on bearings, pacing, back bearings, and re-location techniques. A full day with loads covered.

Despite being really busy, there's still been time to get out climbing with friends, with visits to Sergeant Crag Slabs in Langstrath, Raven crag in Langdale, and Black crag in Borrowdale for an ascent of the classic Troutdale Pinnacle.

Great times, thanks everyone.
Mark

Here's a few photos of the days

A brilliant end to the school summer holidays, with some welcome sunshine and warmer conditions here in the Lake District.
We welcomed back the Hewitts and friends for a spot of Canyoning in Church Beck. Water levels were high making this a really fun descent through the gorge. After drying off, we spent the evening rock climbing at Tilberthwaite quarry.

And the following day, we had planned a climbing day but the rain slowed that down and instead we spent some time rigging abseils and of course doing some abseiling too.
The afternoon brought drier conditions so we headed into Langdale and Scout crags (almost always dry rock here). A top effort by both Edd & Lauren, between them leading the brutal 'Cubs crack' (Hard Severe). A few more routes were climbed on top ropes before tired muscles brought the day to a close.

Sam was also out today, running a rock climbing course for us over in Eskdale. They had some very damp conditions to deal with, but still lots of useful learning and of course plenty of time on rock.

Sunday the 22nd brought another full day of rock climbing. This time with Tricia and her 2 lads. I forget how many climbs we did that day, but it was a lot. We met up later with some of their friends who had been multi-pitch climbing at Upper Scout crags. They then made a rare ascent of the split crack in the large boulder below Scout crags.

Tuesday 25th I was out with the Lack family. We have enjoyed many days out together, mostly rock scrambling, but sometimes gorge scrambling and climbing too. Today our objective was the classic Langdale scramble of Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark. This is graded as a relatively straightforward scramble, but should not be under-estimated, for there is much exposure and some challenging moves. Without doubt this is one of the very best days out to be had in the Lake District, and one I always look forward to.
We thankfully enjoyed splendid weather for the whole day, so enjoyed far reaching views as well as dry rock!

On Thursday 27th Kate was out leading a guided walk for a party from Bahrain. Elterwater and Colwith Force provided just the perfect scenery all were looking for and a grand day enjoyed by all.

The following day (Friday) we had a team day out on Dow crag. A friend had managed to leave some climbing gear behind on one of the long multi-pitch routes so we decided to go see if we could retrieve it for him. Unfortunately for us a heavy downpour soaked the crag just as we arrived so the initial climbing definitely felt tenuous. Dow crag is well known for its 'slippery-when-wet' rock and this stuff felt like ice! The wind did a grand job of drying the upper pitches, so it wasn't long before we were able to enjoy dry and grippy rock, and all in an amazing setting looking over to Coniston Old Man.
The gear we had come in search of had already been removed, however, we still had a blast, always enjoy a visit to Dow.

I was back in Stickle ghyll the following morning with a family group of 11. Plenty of water and warm conditions all helped us have a fab time in here yet again.

Sunday 30th saw us out with Andzelika & Eugene who we've been out with quite a few times now. They like the Lakes so much they moved up here recently. This time their friend Nicky came along too. As the weather forecast was very good I took a chance on the Pike O' Blisco crags.
Starting on Long Scar, we climbed 4 routes from about 'Diff' to 'Hard Severe' we then moved up to Black Crag and climbed 4 more routes, this time up to E2! 

Below are a few photos from the days.

Thanks everyone, so nice to see you all and we hope it's not long until you're back in the Lakes again.

Mark