Ghyll Scrambling Sessions in The Lake District

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Posted on 28 February, 2019

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Last Sunday morning, we received an enquiry - was it possible for us to run a ghyll scrambling session in The Lake District that afternoon?

Iain said yes!; and than had to move quickly to get the kit organised having said that he'd meet the group at 2pm outside of Morrisons Superstore. In actual fact, he had more than adequate time to get everything ready.

Iain met Dan, Sophie, Jake and Stephanie (left to right in the first photo) and after doing the drive almost 10 miles up into longsleddale (made much easier due to the fact that the group had arrived in their own Land Rover) we all got kitted up and then walked down to get in to the River Sprint.

 

Ghyll Scrambling (also known as Gorge Walking) is a sport in which, as you can see, you get very wet! However, we do our best to make sure you are comfortable by providing wetsuits, fleece tops, cagoules helmets and walking boots for your feet. We also provide bouyancy aids if there is a likelihood you could be swimming out of your depth too.

At todays venue, there are a number of places where it is possible to take a swim, but buoyancy aids are just useful generally anyway as they add extra insulation and help cushion you if you slip - which you probably will in this environment!

Our philosophy for all our activites are

• Comfort & safety first! We don't skimp on giving you the best possible equipment for your ghyll scrambling session.
• Enjoyment. We pride ourselves on running great ghyll scrambling sessions in which you'll have every opportunity to try exciting challenges and grow your confidence.

The River Sprint drops in to Longsleddale from the mountains in a steep rocky ravine over 2 km long.  We start from the very foot of that ravine working our way upstream, scrambling up the bed of the river, wading & swimming through pools and climbing up waterfalls.

Every opportunity is made to allow you to "explore" the way ahead and to tackle challenges en route. Our instructors will be there to take great photographs of people enjoying themselves whilst they make their way upstream. However, we also have your safety first & foremost in our minds when runing these sessions, so we will be contsantly risk assessing and scouting the way ahead looking out for hazards - to make sure that you have a great time yet remain safe at all times.

 

 

The River sprint ghyll scrambling venue has also been bolted throughout its length, so this allows us the throw the opportunity for some canyoning into the mix with our clients.

Today, we scrambled up the River Sprint until we reached the impassable chasm of Cleft Ghyll (an unclimbable waterfall in an extremely narrow slot canyon), we climbed out up the left bank and then the group had a go at being lowered down a waterfall.

In this photo, Sophie sets off over the edge of the fall - the advice "Drop your legs over the edge and keep yourself pushed away from the rock". On this particular lower, it's also a good idea to look down and keep your mouth closed to make sure you don't get a mouthful of waterfall too!

 

Having done over a kilometre of upstream ghyll scrambling, a climb up to the Cleft Ghyll Waterfall and an abseil (Canyoning style) lower down another waterfall, we had gotten rid of most of the afternoon; and some of the group were starting to feel a little chilly.

On the way upstream, we had passed at least two deep pools allowing the opportunity for a jump in; although today Iain had suggested that any attempts at total immersion should be left right unil the very end (ok - the temperatures were a very unseasonable 15 degrees today but it IS still supposed to be winter!)

So, as a "finale" we visited the bottom jump and both Dan & Jake went for it. This final photo from todays session in the ghyll sees the group right at the very end of their session; and now, even the lads were ready to call it a day!

So, we quickly covered the short distance back to the Land Rovers; and whilst the group got changed into dry clothes Iain made us all a hot drink - just the job to finish off a great afternoon Ghyll Scrambling Session in The Lake District!

The group paid just £45.00 each for their half day ghyll scrambling/gorge walking session with us, that may sound like a lot, but do consider these points when choosing who to book your Lake District ghyll scrambling/gorge walking session with.

• We provide a very comprehensive standard of personal protective equipment (PPE) for your comfort & safety when undertaking our sessions. Other providers will offer you a cheaper session, but the equipment provision will be compromised.
• We are one of the few, if not the only provider of Lake District based Ghyll Scrambling & Gorge Walking Sessions to provide you with walking boots for your protection. These provide, ankle support, crush protection and good grip. Other providers ask you to bring your own footwear but we give you the complete PPE package!
• We have unrivalled knowledge of all Lake District Ghyll Scrambling venues and can run you a session near to your location.
• We are one of the few companies who will run you a session with a Minimum group size of two persons.
• Photographs of your session are "Dropboxed" to you absolutely free.
• If conditions are such that we deem it necessary, a free drink of Hot Chocolate, Tea or Coffee will be provided to you at the end of your session.

So when you book your Ghyll Scrambling or Gorge Walking Session In The Lake District - don't go with the rest - go with the best and contact us at Lakes Outdoor Experience.

We look forward to working with you.

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