Steve, Author at Steve Banks Outdoors

Cave Leader Update Day

Steve ran a Cave Leader update day in Ingleton for the British Caving Association last Tuesday. The BCA have Local Cave Leader awards for those wishing to lead others in simple caves with minor scrambling and for people who also wish to lead in caves with simple vertical pitches. Award holders have to attend an update workshop every five years and these are run by BCA trainer/assessors such as Steve.

Working with four Vertical Cave Leader award holders, Steve ran the day looking at personal single rope technique (SRT), rigging for personal progression, rigging for group progression and incident management (though we all prefer incident avoidance!). It was a good outing for all concerned: everyone felt they had sharpened their practice and enjoyed their day.

If you are interested in enhancing your caving or working towards Local Cave Leader awards, Steve runs both levels of course and will be pleased to support your progress. 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|May 5th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Cave Leader assessment

Steve ran two Cave Leader assessment days this week in the Yorkshire Dales. The Cave Leader Award permits holders to lead others into a list of named venues based on their knowledge, experience and requirements. Following a two day Cave Leader training course candidates have to complete a one-day Core Skills assessment of personal caving, appropriate ropework and knowledge of caves and cave environments before then having to run a separate Group Day caving trip under observation. Steve ran one of each assessment days for very capable aspirant leaders.

Steve also offers the training course for Cave Leader as well as all three elements for Vertical Cave Leader. If you are interested in developing your caving awards please get in touch. We’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817

By Steve|April 27th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course

Steve delivered a Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course last week for staff from a centre in the NE. This course is a prerequisite for the Sea Kayak Leader but its content is relevant and appropriate for all those venturing out onto the sea in small craft (e.g. sea kayaks, sit on tops, paddle boards) – or even wild swimming in the sea. The single day covers causes and effects of weather on inshore areas, tides and the prediction of tidal height and current rates, planning coastal journeys using appropriate charts, maps, pilots, tide tables and other important primary information, pilotage, buoyage and much else besides.

Steve runs several of these days every year. If you venture out onto the sea for your recreation or are interested in professional Sea Kayak qualifications you will find this course very valuable. If you’d like more information get in touch with Steve for a chat: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|April 27th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Castle Crag, Borrowdale.

A beautiful day saw us heading to Borrowdale for a relaxed wander up Castle Crag through the pretty, deciduous woodland with spring flowers and lots of birds busy in the warmth. Rather than approach from Rosthwaite, we went for the adventurous option and took our shoes and socks off to wade across the river near the Bowderstone. Castle Crag is the only fell on the list of Lakeland mountains under 1000ft, though what it lacks in altitude it more than makes up for in stature as its dominant, craggy presence in the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’ makes it a visible sentinel from far to the North.

Significant slate quarrying and mining took place on Castle Crag and it bears the slate tips and excavation scars associated with that. Most notably, it has the slate ‘cave’ on its North Eastern flank which was inhabited by Millican Dalton (1867-1947) for over 50 years. Dalton, the so-called ‘Professor of Adventure’, gave up his job as an insurance clerk in London to live rough in the Lakes during summers; he survived by offering guiding to visitors and built rafts to paddle and sail down Derwentwater.

The photo shows the view North from the summit with the memorial plaque to the local war dead on the left.

If you’d enjoy Steve’s support for a day in the hills, or a half day like this one, please get in touch to discuss your needs: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|April 20th, 2022|Mountain|Comments Off

Scottish Canoe trip

Steve has his annual wilderness canoe trip in Assynt, Sutherland, NW Scotland coming up in mid May (16th -20th). The trip is definitely running and there are still places available for anyone who would like a five day trip across one of Britain’s most spectacular and unpopulated areas. It’s a relaxed canoe (or sea kayak) journey linking lochs together to traverse the whole area – Steve has been running it for over 20 years so has a pretty good idea of the best ways to do it whatever the conditions. A day is built in to allow you to explore the stunning scenery and wildlife, climb the fortress-like Torridonian mountains or sit with wine and a book contemplating the solitude. On last year’s trip we went nearly six days without seeing another person; at one point we were nearly outnumbered by eagles circling overhead.

This trip is suitable for competent, flat water canoeists and those less experienced if paddling tandem with a more able partner. We have had children as young as eight come along with a parent too. It’s also suitable for any touring kayak, such as a sea kayak, that can carry your equipment – we have a sea kayaker on the trip this year so don’t let those dodgy knees, which may be painful in a canoe, prevent you from joining in.

Please contact Steve if you’d like to chat about this trip: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

By Steve|April 12th, 2022|Canoe|Comments Off

‘En Caw!’

A bitingly cold wind and overcast skies saw us well wrapped up as we tackled a round of Middle Fell, Seatallan, Haycock and Caw Fell from Wasdale. The often vague and non-existent paths were testament to the fact that this is not a well-trodden area. Caw Fell is generally reckoned to be the most remote hill in the Lakes as it’s at least 6km from the nearest road. Caw is a long, whale backed ridge with a high point arriving much earlier than seems appropriate as you approach from Haycock. For this reason we continued on past the shelter marked on the map to the final cairn – more Caw, or as one quick-witted member of the party exclaimed, ‘En Caw!’

If you’d like Steve’s support with your mountain adventures in the Lakes or further afield please get in touch, he’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

The photo shows the Scafells from Middle Fell.

By Steve|April 4th, 2022|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

Yorkshire Dales Cave Leader training

Steve ran a two day Cave Leader training course in the Yorkshire Dales with six excellent candidates. Day one was spent covering all the environmental information required by Cave Leaders as well as necessary ropework and personal caving. On day two we looked at leadership approaches in horizontal caves and on simple scrambles, with an emphasis on maximising activity time for participants and on ensuring they have a great experience of caving.

If you are interested in caving for yourself or you wish to investigate British Caving’s leadership scheme please get in touch with Steve who’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to assist: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|April 4th, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

Scafell Pike and Scafell: A tale of two mountains.

Saturday saw us braving the crowds to tackle Lingmell, Scafell and Slight Side in Wasdale. The vast majority of the people (we estimated over 1000 at the head of Wasdale), were focused solely on ascending Scafell Pike. Fortunately, we were able to find much more space to ourselves by heading up the Western spur of Lingmell before joining the main tourist path at Lingmell Coll to ascend to the Scafell Pike plateau, though we then veered off towards Mickledore and Scafell.

The sheer number of people on the main path up Scafell Pike and on its summit was a sight to behold: the top was so busy there was a queue to stand on the highest point (see carousel image), though most folk showed no interest in the surrounding mountains.

Thankfully, our objectives allowed us to bypass all the hubbub as we headed towards Scafell. We ascended by scrambling up Lord’s Rake (to the right of the main image of Scafell from Mickledore) and then onto the summit where we found only one other person – the difference between the country’s highest and second highest mountains was stark indeed. From Scafell we headed to Slight Side before contouring back around Scafell and down to the valley. A strenuous and rewarding day out.

If you’d like to explore the Lake District but would like to avoid following the well-beaten path and crowds, Steve will be very happy to support your adventures. Please get in touch for a chat on steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or 07796 213817

By Steve|March 28th, 2022|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

Cumbrian Sea Kayak Leader training

We ran a Coastal Navigation course last Friday followed by a Sea Kayak Leader training course based at Barrow and St Bees this past weekend in excellent conditions – we actually had too much wind at Roa Island so had to move further up Walney Channel. Some challenging wind and waves on the West coast on Sunday were mitigated by warm and sunny conditions meaning everyone had a great day out.

Steve offers Sea Kayak training and assessment for British Canoeing’s awards as well as personal coaching and sea kayak trips throughout the year. Please get in touch to organise your sea kayak adventure or join in with the ones we already have planned: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

PS If the attached YouTube video doesn’t seem crisp when played on a full screen, you can click on the settings icon and select HD for best video quality.

By Steve|March 24th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Cumbria Canoe Leader Award training (White Water)

Following the Open Water training on March 26th we have the White Water Canoe Leader training day on Sunday March 27th in Cumbria. This day is suitable for anyone wanting to safely paddle rivers up to grade 2 in tandem or solo canoe as part of a group. It covers the required personal skills, group management and control, incident avoidance and how to respond effectively when things don’t go to plan. Equipment and set up will also be covered on this day. This training course is direct preparation for British Canoeing’s White Water Canoe Leader Award for those who wish to continue to the assessment. We can issue BC’s Progressive Canoe Award after this training day to anyone whose paddling is at the required personal skill level.

We have some places available on this course so please get in touch with Steve if you are interested or require further information: steve@stevebanksoutdors.co.uk & 07796 213817

By Steve|March 10th, 2022|Canoe|Comments Off

STEVE BANKS OUTDOORS

About Steve

Cave Leader Update Day

Cave Leader assessment

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course

Castle Crag, Borrowdale.

Scottish Canoe trip

‘En Caw!’

Yorkshire Dales Cave Leader training

Scafell Pike and Scafell: A tale of two mountains.

Cumbrian Sea Kayak Leader training

Cumbria Canoe Leader Award training (White Water)