We had a fantastic afternoon with Mark! We booked 1:2 tuition for my daughter and I on a cloudy but pleasant day. We had a brisk walk to the site,... read more and chatted on the route (about a ten minute walk from the car park). Once we got to the rock, he explained more about what we’d be doing and then went to set up.
We took the opportunity to admire the views, which are stunning! We watched the cloud enshroud the tops of the hills.
When he returned we had a go at climbing the different routes; Mark gave us enough leeway to figure out routes ourselves and sometimes offer some help from below.
At the end of our session he showed us how the ropes where secured to the rock and we talked about a few different types of knots. All too soon it was time to return to the car park.

In all, it was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Much fun was had!

Thank you, Mark, for a brilliant session!

  Pillar Rock and last of the 541 Birketts with Sam as a guide. - At the second attempt the weather gods relented and I met Sam on the track above memorial bridge.
After a steep climb up to pillar cove and the shamrock traverse... read more we kitted up for the climb up pillar rock the last of my Birketts.
Sam carefully explained the equipment and the route and off we went.
Now as a word of advice for all you Birketts people out there do this one first when you are likely to be both younger and fitter.
So onto the slab and a bottom slide down. Not bad and then the climb up to the notch. These old legs did not like the big step ups but Sam kept calm and encouraging. He explained every action and kept me tightly fastened to the mountain side.
As so to the summit and magnificent views all around.
Now if my climbing skills rated 1 out of 10 then my abseiling was somewhat on a minus scale. However Sam got me down safely and back to my rucksack.
So thanks Sam for all your patience and for the photo opportunities.
A day I will never forget.

  Gorge Scrambling and canyoning - We booked gorge scrambling and a canyon descent with Mark for our family at Church Beck in Coniston. What a superb and fun experience! Easy to book and great communication... read more from Mark. There was only our group of 4 plus two others, much better than other large groups we saw in the gorge. Mark made the whole experience fun, whilst also keeping us safe. Mark was also very patient helping my nervous son with a couple of the higher jumps. We highly recommend Mountain Journeys, will definitely use again.