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Lake District activities for families

3/9/2019

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#activity-days-near-ambleside
Enjoying the brilliant scrambling on Raven crag
This summer has been our busiest to date, with pretty much non-stop activities happening daily. So a BIG thanks to all who joined in the fun, we really appreciate you choosing us for your Lake District adventures and activities.

September too is looking nicely busy, but with a more generous helping of downtime, so time to do some of our own exploring in preparation for yet more fun times next summer and beyond. This exploring has already began and I'll be writing about one such place in the next blog post.
It is also time for us to start preliminary planning for our winter activities in the Costa Blanca. It's only a month until I head out to sunnier climes, so time to be thinking about any shiny new equipment that may be needed for the coming season.

This post shows some a few recent days out amongst the beautiful Lakeland Fells with many lovely people. Firstly, an afternoon spent Scrambling on Raven crag in Yewdale. We had a warm, sunny day, dry rock that is super grippy, and our reward for reaching the top was loads of Wild Bilberry and stunning views over to Coniston Water. We were joined by 2 families, including 4 youngsters. This proved to be an ideal afternoon activity with just the right amount of challenge to ensure the youngsters were all stretched.
You will find some organisations impose a lower age limit on various activities and we can understand why this is so. However, we only have advisory age limits as each individual is different, with some adventurous 5 year olds being very able and more willing than much older kids. As an example, we are taking a 4 year old rock climbing next month! Along with his parents of course!
We have taken quite a few youngsters through the upper section of the Church Beck canyon in Coniston and to the remote Esk Gorge. All have absolutely loved the experience. But these are not first timers, they have been on similar activities previously, so we and they know capabilities.

The photo below showing us dry scrambling alongside Stickle Ghyll was the start of a mountaineering style day in Langdale. This family had contacted us looking for a scrambling day based on Langdale and at some point Jack's Rake was mentioned. We put together a flexible plan of scrambles that would take us to the summit of either Pavey Ark or Harrison Stickle. As with many of our days out, flexibility is key to success. We began scrambling within a couple of minutes of the National Trust car park at Stickle Barn and followed the Stickle Ghyll water course all the way to Tarn Crag. And yes we stayed dry all the way :-)
We then meandered our way through the rocky spurs and buttresses of Tarn crag, deploying the rope for some short, steep sections. Whilst walking around Stickle tarn it became clear that some weren't keen to go up Jack's Rake, whilst others had unfinished business there. So the team split into the 'picnic by the tarn' and 'Jack's Rake' teams. Naturally I was in the Jack's Rake team with Tim, who was quite apprehensive about the scramble ahead.

We took our time and discussed good scrambling technique and movement, but also stopping to enjoy the views and increased exposure. I could sense the doubt still present in Tim, but this was subsiding as we gained more and more height. His feeling of elation and achievement when I announced we had reached the top was quite a WOW moment. It's times like this that makes our job so worthwhile. The satisfaction and happiness on peoples faces is priceless. A hop, skip, and jump (no, not literally) and we were back at the tarn and fast catching up with Carman and Edith. Another hugely successful day out in the mountains, oh yes.

Gorge scrambling has been a big hit this summer, and rightly so as it's tons of fun and still tons of fun in the rain. The final photo in this post shows perfectly how to jump into that pool in Stickle Ghyll. Some of the gorges here can be equally suitable for 5 - 50 year olds and complete novices or seasoned mountaineers. They really are that varied.

This goes back to being flexible. And as we know hundreds of routes throughout the Lake District, you can rest assured that we can be flexible not only in our approach but also venue choice and how we help you through the activity.

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

Mark & Kate  


#family-activities-lake-district
Walking through the wild heathers whilst picking Bilberry
#mountaineering-days-lake-district
The aim this time is to stay dry :-)
#wet-weather-activities-ambleside
A somewhat wetter ascent of Stickle Ghyll
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Rock scrambles around Coniston - rainy day activities in the Lake District

21/4/2017

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Low water beck, Coniston
Initial section of Low Water Beck
This afternoon we've been out exploring new ways to introduce others to rock scrambling on The Bell. Following on from this we explored the scrambling potential of Low Water Beck.

The Bell is an excellent and easily accessible rocky dome near the Walna Scar road. Immaculate rock throughout and fairly sustained scrambling. Our objective today was to find as many belay ledges as we could, there are lots. Good protection is available with a little searching and ledges are big and comfortable. All in all a perfect venue for introducing others to the brilliant activity of Rock Scrambling.

Later we walked higher up the fell to The Pudding Stone. A good venue for bouldering, although this wasn't in our plan today. Behind The Pudding Stone lies the mighty Low Water Beck and it's tumbling waterfalls. This was our target.
A couple of good quality pitches on excellent rock was a promising start. Unfortunately the quality soon deteriorated and we spent more time on steep heather, with only occasional forays back onto rock steps. The atmosphere and situation of the venue is very good, but this isn't a place to visit for anyone seriously interested in scrambling. The rain began to pound down on us, so we made a bee-line back to the Walna Scar and home.
Dow crag amongst others, provide more continuous scrambling opportunities in the Coniston area, that's what i'd be recommending as a 'go-to' place.

Still, this was a good afternoon in the fells, good to be reacquanted with The Bell and good to know of the shortfalls of Low Water Beck. Time very well spent for us. Thanks Si.

Mark
The Pudding stone and Low water beck, Coniston
The Pudding stone and Low water beck
Advanced scrambling skills workshop, Coniston, Lake District
Views over Coniston Water from The Bell
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