Steve, Author at Steve Banks Outdoors

An Eskdale Revelation

A stunning Spring day saw us heading to Eskdale to climb Harter Fell and Green Crag from the foot of Hardknott pass. Steve’s previous ascent of these hills was nearly 30 years ago: on that day the weather was terrible and the abiding memory was of being soaking wet, cold and enduring endless tramping through very boggy ground. What a revelation then to have the opposite experience: blue skies and fantastic views. Harter Fell was particularly good as its high point is atop a rocky tor not dissimilar to that on Helm Crag, Grasmere. The trig point has had to be sited lower down as it was clearly not possible to place it on the actual high point. There is still significant bog between Hard Knott forestry plantation and Green Crag, though some judicious off piste navigation to follow the available higher ground enabled us to avoid virtually all of it.

If you would like support for your mountain adventures in the Lakes or further afield, please get in touch with Steve who’ll be pleased to help you: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|March 7th, 2022|Mountain|Comments Off

A beautiful day out in Wasdale

Following weeks of stormy, wet and windy weather we finally had a day with crystal clear skies to enjoy the mountains, and what a day it was! We headed for Wasdale and set off from the YHA, ascending by Greathall Gill and then onto Whin Rigg and Illgill Head. Despite the strong and cold wind the views were spectacular all around. We found shelter to have hot drinks and lunch looking down from above Wasdale screes over Wastwater, England’s deepest lake, before retracing our footsteps back to the valley.

If you’d like Steve’s support for your mountain adventures, whatever the weather, please get in touch on 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk He’ll be delighted to hear from you and will do his best to help.

By Steve|February 28th, 2022|Mountain|Comments Off

A grand day out in the misty Coniston Fells

Thick mist and strong wind greeted us for a walk round the Northern Coniston Fells taking in Great Carrs, Grey Friar, Swirl How and Wetherlam. With a wind chill of -7C we were well wrapped up and had a great day out in adventurous conditions.

We had a poignant moment when we arrived at the memorial for the eight Canadian airforce aircrew who perished on Great Carrs on the night of October 22nd 1944 (image). Flying a Halifax bomber from Topcliffe in Yorkshire they became lost in thick cloud and darkness over the Lake District. Despite RAF Mosquitoes being scrambled to assist, they made the fateful decision to descend to try and locate themselves, only to be trapped by high ground which they could not avoid. The impact carried much of the plane over the mountain edge into Broad Slack, where parts of it still remain, though the image shows some of the undercarriage at the site of the memorial. A sad sight indeed.

Of more current concern were the two people who approached us asking the way to Great Carrs. When Steve offered to show them their position on their map they blithely explained they had no map as they didn’t know how to navigate, and that they only had sat nav which wasn’t working. Despite Steve trying to gently suggest they head down to safety they were intent on pressing on into the mist. Such reliance on technology is now commonplace, though Steve strongly advises that all those venturing into the mountains have a map and compass and know how to use them – he’ll be delighted to help anyone with these critical skills. 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 25th, 2022|Mountain|Comments Off

Cave Leader training courses

Steve has been busy this week running Cave Leader training courses. Ideal weather conditions permitted us to use seven different caves over the courses, as well as to spend time on the surface covering all the syllabus content is as practical and connected way as possible. An exciting and informative time was had by all.

If you have designs on developing your caving or working towards caving qualifications Steve will be pleased to help. He has further Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader training courses on over the next couple of months. Assessments for both awards are available at any mutually convenient time, just call to discuss your needs: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 21st, 2022|Cave|Comments Off

A great day out from Three Shires Stone

Our first mountain day of the year was an excellent day out starting from Three Shires Stone on Wrynose and taking in Pike o’Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Cold Fell. The Three Shires Stone is made from limestone and was first erected in 1860, though it was actually created in 1816 in Cartmel. It is situated at the meeting point of the old counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire and has been broken, knocked over and resurrected on several occasions. The weather on our day from this old boundary marker was cold but clear; the views were good in all directions. The image shows the Scafells from Crinkle Crags.

If you’re interested in guided walks and scrambles in winter or summer conditions Steve will be pleased to help. Get in touch on 07796 213817 or email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

If you’d like to read more of Steve’s mountain and environmental blog posts have a look at his mountain specific blog here: https://www.keswickguidedwalks.uk/blog/

By Steve|January 21st, 2022|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

Cave Leader training courses

Our 2022 programme is starting with more caving – this time we have two 2-day Cave Leader training courses on the 17th & 18th and 19th & 20th January in the Yorkshire Dales. Steve also has a Vertical Cave Leader training course on the 15th & 16th March.

If you are interested in furthering your caving knowledge or qualification – or, indeed, qualifications in other fields such as paddlesport or mountaineering, please get in touch with Steve who will be pleased to hear from you and happy to assist.

Steve is also available for personal guiding and coaching at any time: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

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

Vertical Cave Leader training

Steve has a Vertical Cave Leader training course coming up on December 16th & 17th and has two places still available. The course, previously known as Level 2 Cave Leader, is based in Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales and covers the personal skills, rigging skills and incident management approaches required to lead people in caves with simple vertical pitches of up to 18m. You need to have some vertical caving experience and to have done the Cave Leader (Level 1) training as a minimum to enrol.

If you’re interested in this course please get in touch with Steve at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or call 07796 213817. He’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help.

By Steve|December 9th, 2021|Cave|Comments Off

White Water Canoe Leader

Storm Arwen tried its best to derail our White Water Canoe Leader assessment as water levels rose dramatically and many rivers were blocked by fallen trees. Fortunately, the levels dropped reasonably quickly and we scouted a suitable venue to check for any unwanted obstructions. Sunny weather greeted the two candidates who did a good job of leading their group and using all the available features to entertain them enroute – very well done!

If you’re interested in either training or assessment for these awards please get in touch with Steve who’ll do his best to help you. 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|December 4th, 2021|Canoe|Comments Off

Open Water Canoe Leader assessment

The recent winter gales relented just long enough for us to run an Open Water Canoe Leader assessment yesterday. Two candidates braved gusty winds and constant rain to successfully complete the award. Very well done to both!

The Open Water award is proving popular with those working in the outdoors as it’s the environment they most commonly find themselves leading in. Steve runs training and assessment for this qualification covering personal paddling in moderate open water, group leadership, travelling using appropriate means (solo, tandem, rafted, sailing), incident management & rescue and appropriate personal & group equipment.

If you are interested in this Canoe Leader award or the white water version please get in touch with Steve who’ll be pleased to hear from you and will do his best to assist: 017687 79412 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|December 1st, 2021|Canoe|Comments Off

Hard Knott

Hard Knott tends to evoke thoughts of its vertigo inducing switchback road of 30% steepness and, arguably, the world’s most challenging cycle sportive (The Fred Whitton) which goes over it (and all the other super steep Lakeland passes) in one day. Hard Knott is also though, a solitary Lakeland summit easily reached in 30 minutes from the road. We had a gentle stroll to the summit on a glorious November day and had it all to ourselves. The views in all directions were spectacular, taking in a large part of the southern Lakes and down to Barrow. The image shows the view North to the Scafells.

Residents and modern day tourists are far from the first people to visit this spot: the Romans built a fort (named Mediobogdum) in approximately AD 120 to guard the road from Ravenglass and through Eskdale; it was occupied for 80-90 years. It was originally garrisoned by troops from Dalmatia (Croatia) who must have had something of a shock being stationed so far from home on a bleak mountain hillside in northern England. It is still clearly visible with all its defensive walls and buildings laid out. You can make a day of it by driving the pass, walking to Hard Knott and visiting the fort.

By Steve|November 21st, 2021|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

STEVE BANKS OUTDOORS

About Steve

An Eskdale Revelation

A beautiful day out in Wasdale

A grand day out in the misty Coniston Fells

Cave Leader training courses

A great day out from Three Shires Stone

Cave Leader training courses

Vertical Cave Leader training

White Water Canoe Leader

Open Water Canoe Leader assessment

Hard Knott