Thursday 31 July 2014

Adventures Days for two in The Lake District! Abseiling & Kayaking. Friday 18th July 2014.

At this time of year, what with the Summer Holidays, many people can find themselves trying to make a plan and arrange some Outdoor Activities at short notice. Obviously, this is a busy time of year for us but we still have gaps and will always help you if we can!

This was the case when Kimberley Quinn enquired about a day of Abseiling and Kayaking for herself and boyfriend Richard; and in fact, final arrangements for their day out with Iain were not made until the day before they wanted the activities to run!

However, Iain was available to arrange this Outdoor Activity Adventure Day in The Lake District for the pair and arranged to meet them in Ambleside. Whilst the weather forecast was questionable, it was looking like it might not break sooff we went straight to Hodge Close Quarry where Iain arranged three different Abseils. Photo one sees Richard attempting the first one.

Abseiling in The Lake District is, for many people, a challenging affair when done for the first time. Even though you are attached to two ropes (an abseil rope and a safety rope) with a climbing harnesses and are wearing a helmet and grippy walking boots (also supplied by us on this occasion) Abseiling backwards over a vertical drop is an immensely challenging affair!

However, with our expert guidance and calm instructions you'll soon get the hang of abseiling as Kimberley and Richard did. Seen in photo two at the end of their abseiling session in the Lake District, they were successful in attempting all three abseil challenges set by Iain. This included the Parrock Quarry Abseil - which at 135 feet with a free hanging section, is undoubtedly one of The Lake Districts most challenging abseils. Well done!!

After abseiling, it was then off to Coniston Water via Coniston Village so that the pair could collect some lunch. We then drove down the east shore of Coniston Water  to a quiet car park with easy access to the lake for the pairs afternoon Introductory Kayaking Session in The Lake District.

After some intial skills training, we headed out on to the lake and northwards towards the Coniston Boat Landings. A shame we hadn't brough a bit of cash along for a tea & sticky at the Bluebird Cafe!

We spent about three hours kayaking on Coniston Water in the afternoon - making our way along the eastern shore before crossing to the boat landings and then ultimately heading back accross the lake to our get in point.

Richard & Kimberley took to kayaking very well and after ironing the usual problems getting their kayaks to go in a straight line, they had a great session. Just to finish off, Iain arranged a kayaking alternative - ie sitting on the craft rather than in it  as in photo four. Quite a tricky challenge often resulting in complete wetness if you get it wrong - which it did for both of them. Fortunately, with the recent hot weather, the lake was quite warm!

Kimberly & Richard both enjoyed Abseiling and kayaking as part of their adventure day in The Lake District with us and paid just £70 each for this full day out with all technical equipment included in the fee.

If you are looking for a day or half day of exciting Outdoor Activities at short notice during your Lake District visit this Summer then contact us. And if we are available, then you can expect to enjoy as good a day out as Kimberley & Richard did with us.

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