Blog Archives

Classic Rock, Borrowdale

30/6/2017

Final pitch of Little Chamonix

A mixed bag of weather for the Lakes this week, but we managed a quick visit to Shepherds crag in Borrowdale. Whilst Ann was visiting from the Peak District, we ticked the super classic 'Little Chamonix'. Always enjoy this route, despite having climbed it many times and it being a bit polished by now! The moves, positions, and views are fabulous.

Wallowbarrow crag in the Duddon valley had been the plan for the next day, but alas the rain put a stop to that. Instead though, we enjoyed a wonderful walk through the Wallowbarrow gorge.

The skies have brightened now and are set to stay fair for a while now, so there'll no doubt be more action on the crags from us over the coming days. But for tomorrow, it's a Scafell Pike triple for me and a night time mission up there for Kate. Fun fun fun.

Call us to book your next mountain adventure.

Mark

Climbing towards the 'Saddle belay' on Little Chamonix

Hide and seek in the woods around Wallowbarrow gorge

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Rock climbing courses and more - Lake District

27/6/2017

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A climber cruising 'Needle Arete' E3 at Black crag, Wrynose

All in all it's been another busy week here and thankfully mostly good weather to be out enjoying the great outdoors.
A hot day sent us up to Black crag, Wrynose in search of a breeze. Conditions were perfect up there and we enjoyed a few top quality climbs on its rough,. pocketed rock. Whilst there, a climber was cruising 'Needle arete', so we paused to enjoy the show. At E3 it's a serious route even though only quite short. We then fought our way up a nearby HVS, 'The Prow'.

The following couple of days were filled with enhancing our rescue skills and techniques on crags in the Langdale and Borrowdale valleys. We also managed to climb circa 10 routes whilst going through these scenarios. Keeping all this fresh and practiced is important whether working on the crags or out climbing with friends. Problems can and do arise, knowing how to help is the key to continued enjoyment.
A few of the skills we covered:
Ascending / descending a rope;
Escaping from the belay system;
Assisted and unassisted hoists;
Releasing jammed abseil devices;
Stacked abseil;
Counter-balance abseil;
Traverse rescue / assistance systems.

All lots of fun too.

By Thursday it was time for a walk in the mountains. Helping our friends at Highpoint Mountain Guides, we led a group of lawyers over the Langdale Pikes. Perfect conditions, great views, and good company. Finished with drinks and cake back at the Stickle Barn tavern, lovely.

For the weekend, it was back onto the crags for a 2 day climbing course. Allan & Kim had climbed a fair amount already and were keen to progress so they go safely set up top and bottom ropes using anchors they build. So the focus was all about placing 'bomber' protection at a variety of venues. Plenty climbing was on the cards too of course.
We started at Middlefell Buttress and I led this whilst placing lots of protection and building multi-anchor belays at regular intervals. We then descending via a stacked abseil.
Using the 1st pitch of this route, Allan & Kim then set up a number of bottom ropes and climbed these too.
Other crags visited during Sunday included: Stickle Barn and Lower Scout crags. Around 7 climbs were set up on those crags and this all done by Allan & Kim, so they had lots of practice of placing gear and equalising anchors suitable for top/bottom roping.

Thanks everyone for making this another fab week :-)

Mark & Kate

Setting up and equalising anchors for top / bottom rope applications

The Pillar, E2 at Stickle Barn crag, Langdale

Scenarios. What to do when things don't go to plan! The makings of a traverse rescue

Kate enjoying a day of work in Langdale

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Classic rock climbs - Lake District

15/6/2017

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Troutdale Pinnacle, Black crag

There's been some fairly challenging weather on offer of late here in the Lakes, but between the showers there's been a lot of action.
We've been busy running introductory rock climbing sessions, adding in some bouldering too. And of course out enjoying the wonderful climbs for ourselves too, with visits to: Tarn crag; Raven crag; Pavey Ark; Shepherds crag; and Black crag, amongst others. Climbing classics such as: Little Chamonix; Eve; Middlefell Buttress; Raindrop; and Troutdale Pinnacle. All amazing routes at their respective grades and all routes we've enjoyed before.

Today I was working on a 'Challenge the Wild' event in the Yewdale valley. Providing safety support on Raven crag and helping with a Zip line / Tyrollean traverse over Cathedral quarry.

All are amazing places. If you're interested in guided climbing, adventure activities, or just some insider information about the local area here, please don't hesitate to get in touch anytime.

Mark

Guided classic rock climbs in the Lake District

Enjoying the great moves on Eve at Shepherds crag, Borrowdale

Bouldering at Scout crags, Langdale

Adventure activities in the Lake District

Zip line at Cathedral quarry, Little Langdale

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Zip wire - Lake District

8/6/2017

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Flying over Cathedral quarry, Little Langdale

What a fantastic couple of days we've had working with Mountain Circles and Challenge the Wild. Participants were challenged with: Rock scrambling; Abseiling; Pool jumping; Canyoning; Mountain walking; and flying over Cathedral quarry on a Zip line.
Along with Paddy, I was mostly helping to run the zip line over the quarry. This was dramatic and a huge adrenaline rush for most. I had a couple of flights over and can confirm the adrenaline rush!!

Despite some challenging weather today, everyone got stuck in to the activities and certainly had fun on the zip line.

Thanks to Paddy & Innes, and Dan & Sigal for the work :-)

Mark

Looking back up to the big wall from the Zip line

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Rock climbing progression course - Lake District

6/6/2017

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Lead climbing course - Upper Scout crag

A warm and sunny weekend here in the Lake District, making it perfect for the rock climbing progression course we were running for Seth and Byron from London.
Seth has been out with us previously, including sport climbing trips out to Costa Blanca. Now it was time to make the move to trad climbing and what better place for it.
For Byron, this was his first ever outdoor rock climbing experience.

We began on Middlefell Buttress in Langdale. In 5 pitches wretched the top, with coaching in movement techniques for Byron and looking at anchor selection with Seth. From the top we abseiled into the gully, this gave more learning opportunities for both.
After lunch it was over to Raven crag and a slightly more difficult route - 'Evening Wall' - this brought with is more learning opportunities for both and the experience of 'tricky' crag descents.

By Sunday, Seth was very keen to lead a route and Upper Scout Crag was chosen for this. One of the very best routes of its grade in the Lakes, it offers a memorable climb and stunning views. Over the 3 pitches Seth was able to set up 3 different belay stances and manage these effectively for both leader and second. During the pitches, placing sufficient protection to stay safe, whilst making efficient progress. A very smooth climb.
To finish the weekend we took to the much steeper rock on Middle Scout crag. Madonna at E1+ 5b was climbed by both Seth & Byron, this gave the arms a good workout!
Then on the descent we stopped off at Lower Scout crag and climbed 'Cubs crack', what was left in the arms was definitely given to this route!!
This is the very first time i've visited all 3 of the Scout crags in the same day.

Thanks very much Seth and Byron, all the best.

Mark

Enjoying the view at the top of Upper Scout crag

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Stag group activities - Lake District

3/6/2017

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Canyoning in the Lake District - Church beck

Great to welcome back the Cuff family. This time for Danny's stag do activities that were all happening here in the Lake District.
Starting with some fun rock climbing over at Hutton Roof crags. Perfect Limestone climbing with amazing views and easy access for the team who were staying over that way.
The following morning we raised the bar on adrenaline levels by going Canyoning. The upper Church beck in Coniston provides a memorable and thrilling experience, with waterslides and big jumps throughout. Loads of fun for all and perfect for a group of friends or family.
Once dried off, we drove the short way to Hodge Close quarry for Abseiling. More fun and games enjoyed by all and perfect weather throughout.

All the best to Danny and thanks very much to everyone, especially Charlie for arranging this with us.

Mark

Stag and hen group activities - Lake District

The team about to get very wet in the canyon!

Stag group canyoning activity - Lake District

Waterslide in Church beck

Abseiling for groups and families - Lake District

Abseiling at Hodge Close

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Classic Rock, Borrowdale

Rock climbing courses and more - Lake District

Classic rock climbs - Lake District

Zip wire - Lake District

Rock climbing progression course - Lake District

Stag group activities - Lake District

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