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The Esk Gorge - fun for all the family

31/7/2018

Plunge pool time

We're just back from another brilliant trip to the Esk Gorge. This time with the Carey family from Liverpool.

Dan, Kelly, Daisy, and Ben have been coming to us for activities here in the Lakes for I think 5 years now, with most years including a gorge scramble. For a while now we'd talked about visiting the much coveted Esk Gorge, but water levels and weather did play our way. Today it all came together though and we made it to the mighty Esk.

It was worth the wait though as Ben & Daisy are a little older they were able to fully emerge themselves in the gorge. Jumping in the plunge pools, even the BIG jumps, swimming against the flow, splashing about and generally having a whale of a time. I reckon mum & dad had a blast too, and will be pleased to have 2 very tired out kids tonight :-)

There are many gorges here in the Lake District, most are really good, but if you're looking for the ultimate trip, look no further than the mighty Esk Gorge. It involves more effort, but wow the rewards are worth all of it and then some.

We feel privileged to be able to offer such amazing trips and we hope you will join us on one sometime soon.

Get in touch and let's make a date for an adventure.

Thanks for reading.

Mark

More fantastic plunge pools in the Esk

In at the deep end - endless fun in the Esk gorge

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Evening cragging: Do Not Direct - White Ghyll

28/7/2018

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The upper pitch - photo credit: Kelly Evans

After a hot day of walking on the Lakeland Fells the approach slog to White Ghyll was always going to feel, well, a bit of a slog!
But worth it and doesn't feel like a slog at all once at this magnificent crag.

White Ghyll always stirs emotions for me, i've had plenty of exciting times there and am sure there's more in store. The huge band of overhangs add to the foreboding atmosphere and general sense of adventure, and adventure is usually in store.

It was mid-evening as we walked up to the crag, so we weren't exactly flush with time, but okay to bag a route. There had been a mention of 'Do Not Direct' - at E1 this was going to feel tough in the intense summer heat (yes it's been roasting here), I could have been swayed towards easier offerings very easily. But Kelly was keen for the full experience this route promised.

Well, did it deliver?

Yes, but not quite how we had expected. I think it's fair to say that makes this outing a true adventure, given the uncertain outcome.
Kelly was keen to lead pitch 1, the crux! Ace, i'll have an easy ride then, thanks. A big chunk of the first pitch was very straightforward, probably about 'Severe' until the spike. Here things changed, the angle steepened, and the climbing became extremely good and much harder. A good and swift lead, well executed throughout.

Pitch 2 was mine, this was due to be a bit easier, so happy days. Well not quite!
Poor gear and a very steep groove had me pausing rather a lot, rather too much actually. After arranging a good piece of protection it was time to go for the traverse. This looked great for hands and appalling for feet, it was. Some poor protection added for piece of mind before more very steep moves and plenty of positive encouragement from below, led to the easier ground. I was tired, pumped, and mentally drained by this point. A slip from the end of the traverse would have been a tad troublesome, hence the mentally drained bit :-) Kelly cruised the pitch and soon we were abseiling back down the crag and all in time for a getaway before darkness arrived.

A really good route that i'd definitely climb again. this is what summer evenings are for right, getting out on the higher crags and pushing our limits.

Mark

Kelly cruising the upper pitch

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Wonderful walks of the Lake District

28/7/2018

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Angle Tarn

We've been making the most of the stunning summer weather here in the Lake District and enjoying some wonderful walks with Marie & Kathi from Canada.

Starting with a walk we can do from 2 Cambridge Villas - Wansfell Pike. Rising high above Ambleside and offering impressive and far reaching views in all directions, this relatively small fell has a lot to offer. We descended the more gentle slopes towards Troutbeck, pausing at the tearooms there before continuing our journey along Robin Lane for those spectacular views across Windermere and to the Coniston and Langdale fells.

For our next walk, we selected a slightly longer route. Starting in Hartsop, we took the broad track up to Boredale Hause and the remains of the old Chapel there. From here a more gentle ascent led us to the pretty and remote Angle tarn, our lunch stop for the day. No Geese around today, but we did see Ravens and Peregrines.
We followed a track down to Hayeswater and had a paddle in the beck before returning to Hartsop.

To super days out, these really are wonderful walks, we certainly highly recommend them. If you'd like to take the strain out of navigating the route, why not give us a call and hire a guide to do all that for you. We'll share our knowledge of the area with you too.

Thanks Marie & Kathi

Mark

Wansfell Pike

Making an escape!!!

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Gorge Scrambling fun

28/7/2018

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Waterfalls of Church Beck

For quite a few years now we've welcomed Callum and his pals back to the Lake District for ever more adventures. We done so much in so many places. But one we hadn't yet visited together was Church Beck in Coniston.

Well that all changed this week, and some rain helped top the river levels up nicely.

All the lads were keen to get straight in the water, swimming, jumping, splashing, and generally having a great time. We tackled loads of fun challenges along the way, with some showing impressive skills, whilst others were more than happy to clown around and make a few more splashes!

We dried off for a afternoon of Abseiling at Hodge Close Quarry, which is near to Coniston too. Then it was off to the pub for the lads :-)

Hope to see you all again next year

Mark

About to go for a head dunk in Church Beck

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High crags of the Lakes and Welsh sea cliffs

23/7/2018

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Exposed moves on 'A State of Saturation' HVS at Castell Helen

Along with many other brilliant days out in the mountains over the last few weeks, there have been a few very notable days, these are some of them.

First up is a visit to Snowdonia with good friend Anna, with the idea of ticking off some classic climbs and scrambles. Due to a blip in the weather we didn't get any of our planned routes done, but we had a brilliant time and climbed some great routes, including Flying Buttress on Dinas y Cromlech at sunset. We also climbed in the Ogwen valley and some harder routes in the Llanberis Pass. Despite the rain, a really great few days.

Then an afternoon up at Gimmer crag, possibly my favourite crag anywhere. Fellow instructor and friend Kelly hadn't yet climbed on this magnificent piece of rock, but had heard plenty good things about it and was super keen to check it out. We started with the 1st pitch of 'Bracket and Slab' and once on Ash Tree Ledge aimed for more challenging routes in the form of 'F route' and 'Lichen Groove'. F for FFFFantastic by the way ;-)
All the pitches we climbed were brilliant in their own way and always on impeccable rock. The crag was really busy, which is unusual. But it's plenty big enough and we never had to wait for a route. We stayed until quite late so were able to enjoy the beautiful evening light over the Langdale valley, sublime.

All this followed by another trip to North Wales, this time quite a fleeting visit. Roger & Chris both climb regularly and well but are new to the delights and excitement of sea cliffs, so this was to be their introduction.
We had a full day at Castell Helen, Gogarth. After the committing abseil approach we started with 'Lighthouse Arete' VS4c and cruised the 4 pitches back to the top. After a spot of lunch, it was back down the abseil rope, this time for a more technical climb, a;though still at the same grade of VS4c. 'Pel' definitely seems like a step up in difficulty, with a strenuous 1st pitch leading up to the big halfway platform. Things then ease on the following pitches, but it's still no giveaway route. This was all good preparation for the following day when our instructor Paul Bedford was taking over and heading over to Wen Zawn with the guys. 'Britomartis' HVS and the mega classic 'Dream of White Horses' HVS also got ticked. Wow, what a weekend. If Carlsberg made weekends...or maybe that should be 'if Carlsberg made weeks'.
To me, climbing is as much about the people and places as it is the routes. Being in dramatic and beautiful locations with good friends is pretty special. The great climbing is a bonus :-)

Big thanks to everyone, and especially Anna, Kelly, Roger, and Chris.

Mark

Cruising up the crux 1st pitch of Pel at Castell Helen

Getting ready for Flying Buttress on Dinas y Cromlech. Photo credit: Anna Paxton

Top of Flying Buttress at sunset

Throwing the ropes ready for abseiling back down Gimmer crag

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More amazing weather here in the Lakes :-)

11/7/2018

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Photos will never do justice to the beauty of Esk gorge. Come and experience it, it's the only way

The blog has been a bit slow of late, mostly due to the incredible weather at the moment, meaning we're out almost constantly, so no time to write!
A major highlight of recent weeks has been a visit to the Esk gorge with friends. We had originally planned a day of climbing on Engineers Slabs, Great Gable. But I heard some friends were heading to the cool waters of the Esk and couldn't resist.
Definitely the right decision. All the pools were warm and clear. Much swimming and jumping into the pools was enjoyed, as well as some scrambling. On a hot day in the Lakes, there is no better place to be. On a hot day in the Lakes, there's no place in the world i'd rather be, that's for sure.

There's been lots of other activity happening too. Abseils, scrambles, gorge scrambles and more.

Also lots of rock climbing on the higher mountain crags. A couple of notable days being Dow and Gimmer:

Along with Kate & Leanne, I headed up to Dow crag in the blazing sun. Every time this crag comes into view my heart rate begins to race and my pace quickens, it's simply magnificent and I love it.
We planned on ticking a couple of routes and started with the super classic 'Murray's Direct'. This gave good value climbing the whole way. Sadly, the wind soon whipped up and it became quite cold (we only had minimal clothing with us). So we bailed out for the day and retreated to the warm shores of Goats Water and a picnic.

A fine day on Gimmer was also enjoyed with Andrew from Dubai. Having climbed at many Lakeland crags but never on Gimmer, Andrew was keen to check the place out and see what all the fuss is about. We climbed 'Ash Tree Slabs', 'Oliverson's crawl and Lyon's variation', and finished with 'Main wall climb' to give a trio of brilliant routes. I say brilliant routes, we could have picked any 3 routes on Gimmer and they would almost certainly be brilliant.

I also enjoyed a day introducing Ed & Becky to trad climbing at Shepherds crag in Borrowdale. We climbed most of the routes on Brown Slabs and finished with Donkey's Ears. Another grand day.

Thanks all. Hope to see you again soon

Mark

Kate cruising up Murray's Direct on Dow crag. Leanne showing that even on Dow crag shorts are a goer

Andrew enjoying a long awaited visit to Gimmer crag, Langdale

An introduction to trad climbing at Shepherds crag, Borrowdale

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The Esk Gorge - fun for all the family

Evening cragging: Do Not Direct - White Ghyll

Wonderful walks of the Lake District

Gorge Scrambling fun

High crags of the Lakes and Welsh sea cliffs

More amazing weather here in the Lakes :-)

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