Guiding

paul-stern-land-124

Our flexible guiding service enables you to take full advantage of the winter weather and climbing conditions so that you can climb wherever conditions are at a premium across the UK. You can choose from a menu of classic routes of all grades, snow and ice gullies, mixed climbs on buttresses and superb ridges which take you to the summits of Munros.

We can also offer guided expeditions around the world through are associates.

These can be to wild and exotic places like the Andes or Tien Shan with the International School of Mountaineering (ISM) or to the remotest parts of Greenland and other parts of the Arctic with Tangent Expeditions. 

Kayaking & Canoeing

kayak

Kayaking or canoeing will take place on one of the famous lakes or rivers in the Lake District or Scotland. We can offer a variety of experiences from tranquil journeying down a lake, providing skills training sessions, taking BCU star awards or simply challenging yourself to paddling down a white water river.

These can be a half day, full day or multiple day activity   

 

Kit you will need

  • Old trainers
  • Swimming costume or shorts
  • Warm cloths
  • Waterproofs
  • Towel
  • Lunch and drink
  • Dry cloths to get changed into

 

Equipment supplied by in the mountains

  • Boat and paddle
  • Buoyancy aid
  • Helmet
  • Wetsuit
  • Paddle jacket

 

We will supply all technical and safety equipment.         

Climbing Classic Rock

climb

The Lakeland hills and crags are amongst the most beautiful in the country. The area is steeped in climbing history, creating classic routes in abundance. Whether you're climbing on a remote mountain crag or lower down the valley there are classic climbs to suit every climber's needs.

You can book our guiding services for a single day, over two consecutive days, for a weekend or longer. The days will be selected to suit the level and competence of your climbing. So whether you are climbing V. Diff or at a higher level you will experience a classic route. We will vary the climbing venue to provide you with a unique flavour of Lake District rock (and that unforgettable blend of valley and mountain crag). You will be guided up these classic routes with some instruction on the way, just when you feel you need it.

Summer Hillwalking

langdales

We are blessed with some of the best and most accessible hill walking in Great Britain. Our famous mountains are forever changing in character from season to season and of course the weather will always play its part. A day in the hills with us can come in many different forms, from walking up the highest point in England (Scafell Pike), scrambling across one of the Helvellyn’s edges or navigating your way to the top of Coniston Old Man with guidance and instruction. For us it’s much more than just going for a walk, we like to make it a social event with chat and banter along the way.

Hill walking can be a one day or multiple day activity.

Kit needed by participants

  

  • Waterproofs top and bottoms   
  • Warm walking clothes (not jeans)
  • Spare fleece   
  • Fleece hat 
  • Gloves
  • Walking boots,    
  • Rucksack
  • Lunch and drink

 

Equipment supplied by in the mountains

 

All safety equipment

   

Navigation Training

navigation

Being able to navigate quickly and efficiently through the mountains is an essential skill to be proficient at.

We run one or two day navigation courses. These can be tailored to your needs and cover all the essentials of mountain navigation.

 

Kit you will need

  • Walking boots
  • Walking cloths
  • Spare fleece
  • Hat
  • Gloves
  • Lunch and drink
  • Rucksack
  • Map and compass

 

Equipment supplied by in the mountains

  

If you need we have:-

  • Map
  • Compass
  • Rucksack

      

Ghyll Scrambling

ghyll2

Ghyll scrambling, gorge walking or canyoning stem from the same concept. It’s about having fun in a mountain stream. We climb up, swim through, jump off and abseil down them. We have many different types of ghyll in Cumbria so we will chose the best venue for you to have the most fun, depending on the weather and your aspirations.

The journey along the ghyll can be a half day or full day activity.

 

Kit needed by participants :-

  • Swimming costume or shorts
  • Waterproofs 
  • Warm clothes
  • Spare clothes  
  • Fleece hat
  • Spare socks
  • Gloves
  • Boots, wellies or sturdy trainers    
  • Towel

 

Equipment supplied by in the mountains

  • All safety equipment
  • Wetsuits
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Buoyancy aid 
Winter Hillwalking

winter

Imagine a full day out in the heart of the most beautiful scenery in the Lake District where you could take in Summits such as Scafell Pike, Bowfell or Helvellyn. Or you could be exploring the Scottish Highlands such as Ben Nevis, Glencoe or the Cairngorms. Winter walks are not limited to these locations - your choice becomes our route to creating your unique winter experience.

Kit needed by participants

  • Waterproofs top and bottoms   
  • Warm walking clothes (not jeans)
  • Spare fleece   
  • Fleece hat 
  • Gloves
  • Walking boots (crampon compatible)   
  • Rucksack
  • Lunch and drink
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe
  • Head torch
  • Map & compass
  • Small first aid Kit
  • Personal medication
  • Goggles
  • Gaiters
  • Bivi bag

 

Equipment supplied by in the mountains

All safety equipment

  

 

Caving

toes-header

Caving is when you can really get in the mountains.  Caving is a totally new experience for most people and an adventure not to miss out on in life! We can tailor your caving experience around your needs, whether you would like to walk around looking at formations, abseil down into a dark hole or squeeze through the tightest slot possible.

Caving can be a one day or multiple day activity.

 

Kit you will need

  • Wellingtonboots
  • Thermal top or thin fleece  
  • Socks
  • Towel
  • Lunch and drink
  • Dry clothes to get changed into

 

Equipment supplied by in the mountains

  • Fleece onesies
  • Caving over suit
  • Helmet with lamp
  • Wellingtonboots    

 

We will supply all technical and safety equipment        

Developing Winter Skills

iceclimb

Winter skills course range considerably depending on your needs and experience. If this is your first experience in a winter environment, the course will involve developing essential skills such as safe use of an ice axe and crampons, winter navigation skills and gaining an understanding of assessing avalance risk on the hill. If you would like to learn the art of winter climbing, this course will mainly be run in Scotland and will cover every aspect of the sport whilst climbing in fantastic locations.

Kit List

• Climbing helmet *
• Ice Axe and Hammer *
• I 2 point crampons*
• Belay device for twin ropes*
• Harness ' Long sling *
• 2 HMS karabiners *
• 50 Litre rucksack ‘ Waterproof - top & bottoms
• Sun Glasses/goggles
• Drinking bottle or flask + drinks
• Whistle, Food
• Warm & comfortable outdoor clothing Fleece hat (balaclava)
• Gloves or mittens Head torch with spare battery & bulb
• 3 or 4 season walking boots plus Gaiters
We can provide any item of equipment marked with a star (*), providing you tell us in advance. Should you require any other equipment which you need to bring or buy please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you.
On the day of the course we"ll provide all the technical hardwear which includes ropes, safety equipment, a first aid kit, map/guide book and any other communal kit we think we'll need for the days climbing.
 

Skye Traverse

scramble

The Cuillin Ridge, the renowned mountain ridge on the Isle of Skye, has a truly alpine feel. The ridge involves over 3,000m of ascent spread over a horizontal distance of 12 km. The technical standards are very rarely any more than V Diff with one or two short sections of Mild Severe. The bulk of the ridge however consists mainly of sustained and exposed scrambling. Rising out of the sea to a height of over three thousand feet, the traverse consists of a number of razor sharp ridges, fortified summits and views down sheer faces to the sea.

We advise a two-day trip on the ridge with an overnight bivi. This, weather permitting, will enable you to climb every summit on the ridge whilst providing the opportunity to experience the sheer size and scale of the ridge. The trip is physically demanding and requires a good level of fitness. With equipment kept to a minimum (and good guiding techniques), progress along the ridge is reasonably quick. Any awkward sections will be safeguarded with a rope and we hope you'll enjoy the quality of the climbing, set amongst the amazing backdrop of peaks, lochs and valleys.

Kit List

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

  • Rucksack (max 50 litres)
  • Walking boots or approach shoes
  • Helmet & harness
  • Belay plate and screwgate karabiner
  • Waterproofs & gaiters (optional)
  • Hat or balaclava/gloves
  • Sleeping bag
  • Karrimat or Thermarest & bivi bag
  • Headlamp
  • Plastic mug & spoon
  • Water bottles (minimum of two litres of water carried on the ridge)
  • Compass, penknife, warm clothes
  • Sunglasses, sun cream
  • Rucksack liner
  •   

COMMUNAL EQUIPMENT  

  • Rope (5Om)
  • Climbing hardware  
  • First aid kit  
  • Group shelter  
  • Food  
  • Small stove  
  • Cooking pot & Lighters  
  • Maps (Harvey's)  
  • Guidebook  
  • Water carrier   

 

Transition to Rock

This is an instructional-based course bridging the gap between climbing indoors and learning the basics to climbing outside safely. The Lake District is an ideal venue for the Transition to Rock course. It offers ease of access, tremendous variety of crags and levels of climbing, different rock types and beautiful mountain scenery. It will also appeal to people who have climbed outdoors but feel keen to extend their knowledge and learn more about climbing safely with friends.

During the days you are with us we will cover the basics like your climbing technique, setting up belays, placing gear, safe abseiling techniques and understanding the grading system and guide books.

For those people with more experience, the days will be pitched at a higher level, covering more advanced techniques such as leading and rescue scenarios. During the course we'll try to visit crags that will maximise your learning and have routes to match your abilities. By covering all the different aspects of climbing while you're with us, we hope that you'll build up enough confidence to start climbing outside for yourself.

Kit List

  • Climbing helmet *
  • Harness *
  • Belay device and screwgate karabiner *
  • 8ft sling with a screwgate karabiner *
  • Rock boots with sticky rubber into mountain crags
  • Rucksack (around 50 litre would be ideal)
  • Waterproof top & bottoms
  • Comfortable/warm outdoor clothing
  • Hat& gloves
  • Drinking bottle or flask
  • Food for the day
  • Appropriate footwear for walking


We can provide any item of equipment marked with a star (*) providing you tell us in advance. Should you require any other advice on equipment which you to need to bring or buy, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will do our best to help you.
On the day of the course we'll provide all the technical hardwear which includes ropes, safety equipment, a first aid kit, map/guide book, and any other communal kit we think we'll need for the day's climbing.

 
Abseiling

Abseiling was traditionally only done to access sea cliff climbs, escaping from a rock face or retreating off a mountain. These days it is an activity in its own right.  We run abseiling courses so you can be proficient in looking after yourself and your friends in decent.  Alternatively, we can take you to some ore inspiring locations and descend to the bottom of the cliff by sliding down the rope.

 

Abseiling can be a half day or full day activity.

 

Kit needed by participants

  • Waterproofs: top and bottoms   
  • Warm walking clothes (not jeans)
  • Spare fleece   
  • Fleece hat 
  • Gloves
  • Walking boots or approach shoes    
  • Rucksack
  • Lunch and drink
  • Helmet
  • Harness 

 

Equipment supplied by in the mountains

  • If you need it:
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Rucksack

 

All safety equipment 

IN THE MOUNTAINS

nigel

in the mountains is run by Nigel Edwards to provide professional instruction and guiding in all aspects of outdoor activities in both the summer and winter months anywhere in the UK.

He will endeavour to offer you the best possible professional guiding and instruction in your chosen activity, tailored to suit your abilities and aspirations.

Nigel started his career in North Devon in the late 1980’s as a climbing, surfing and kayaking instructor. He was soon tempted by the Himalayas (Nepal) where he was head raft guide and a trekking guide for Himalayan Encounters for two seasons.

Since the early 1990’s Nigel has been based in the Lake District and has worked as an outdoor specialist for a variety of the local companies, outdoor centres and private clients.

Nigel has also worked extensively in the Arctic for Tangent Expeditions since 1997. This has taken him to many regions of Greenland and Baffin Island. His biggest achievement was getting Ian Wright (the x England and Arsenal footballer) to the top of Gunnbjorns Fjeld, the highest peak in the arctic.              

 

Qualifications:

  • WMCI (Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor)
  • MCI (Mountaineering and Climbing instructor)
  • Winter mountain leader
  • Summer mountain leader
  • Level 3 coach in kayak
  • Level 3 coach in canoe
  • Local level 2 cave leader
  • Swiftwater rescue technician
  • First aid  

Testimonials

Activities

Ali's Christmas kayak day!

Tuesday 2 May will be Ali's Christmas kayak day on Lake Windermere.


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Just Playing!

Just playing


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Winter Hill walking/snow hole kit list 13th - 19th...

Snow hole kit list. Rucksack (50 + litre) Sleeping bag Sleeping mat Food drinks (2 x lunch. 1x evening meal, 1x breakfast snacks) Pan set lighter Stove and fuel (1 stove between 2 people) Warm...


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