Steve, Author at Steve Banks Outdoors

Mell Fell

Plunging temperatures encouraged an afternoon foray up both Great and Little Mell Fell. The image is from Little Mell Fell looking West towards Great Mell with Blencathra beyond. Interestingly, The Mell Fells and adjacent Gowbarrow are comprised of conglomerate from the late Devonian geological period (c375 mya). which lasted from approximately 420 million years ago until 360 million years ago. These are the only Devonian rocks in England and are a sedimentary rock formed from water transported alluvium in a desert environment.

If you are interested in broadening your knowledge of the outdoor environment – or would just like some support for your winter walking adventures, Steve will be pleased to help. Just get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or call 07796 213817.

By Steve|January 16th, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Out Foxed

Whilst out on a New Year’s eve bike ride, Steve encountered the Blencathra Foxhounds as he rode past Carrock Fell, along with a large group of people watching them from below. As he rode down the other side of the valley, the fox popped out of the hedge and ran down the road for several hundred metres in front of his bike. Presumably, the fox was not taking any chances that the hounds would obey the law and run right by, so had opted for the safety first approach of escaping unseen behind the foxhounds and their spectators.

Whilst Steve can’t promise personal encounters with foxes, he is happy to provide mountain and natural history days out in the Lakes and further afield. Call or email to discuss your interests on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 3rd, 2024|Environment, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Yorkshire Dales Caving

Steve is having a busy time caving in December, with Cave Leader training, Vertical Cave Leader training and several assessments at both levels. He also had a very enjoyable day out supporting a CIC candidate to practice and develop their underground navigation and survey use in a complex cave system (image).

Steve still has a Vertical Leader training coming up on the 12th & 13th December should you be interested. He can also be contacted to discuss any training, assessing, practice or guiding needs you may have at all levels from novice to advanced, so please get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or on 07796 213817 and he’ll do his best to assist.

By Steve|December 9th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Sea Kayak Leader training course Cumbria

Steve has a Sea Kayak Leader training course coming up on the 28th – 29th November based in Cumbria. This training course is suitable for anyone wanting to check their paddling, equipment, safety, trip planning and group leadership in conditions up to force 4. There is no necessity to go on to take the British Canoeing assessment – many people take this course purely for personal development, practice and to enhance their knowledge and safety on the water. Steve can also issue BC’s Personal Performance Awards, to anyone at the relevant standard, as required. Clearly, for anyone seeking the Sea Kayak Leader qualification, this two day course is the ideal preparation.

Contact Steve on steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or on 07796 213817

NEW DATE: December 16th & 17th 2024

See website and latest blog posts for details.

By Steve|November 6th, 2023|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course in Cumbria

Steve has a Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course coming up on Monday November 27th based in Cumbria. This course is suitable for anyone going out sea kayaking, SUP paddling or sit on top paddling in coastal waters. It covers critical information about weather and tide and their effect on conditions; trip planning and decision making, navigation in advance and on the water as well as pilotage and buoyage. It is a prerequisite for anyone seeking to take British Canoeing’s Sea Kayak Leader assessment.

If you’re interested or would like more information please get in touch with Steve on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|November 6th, 2023|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off

Canoe Leader Training Cumbria

Steve has two Canoe Leader training courses coming up in Cumbria: The Open Water training course is on November 21st whilst the White Water version is the following day, the 22nd November. These courses are suitable both for individuals working towards the British Canoeing leader qualifications, as well as for any competent canoeist who wishes to hone their skills and decision making to keep themselves safer on the water. For this level of course Open Water is up to 500m from shore in winds up to and including force 4; White water is grade 2 with occasional 3. You should be competent to work in these environments under supervision to join either course – if you’re interested and/or unsure please call Steve for a discussion and guidance: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|November 6th, 2023|Canoe|Comments Off

Skill Acquisition days with British Curling

Steve was invited to work with British Curling’s performance coaches to explain skill acquisition principles and to explore the potential benefits for elite level curlers. The National Curling Academy is based in Stirling, it boasts excellent facilities for competition and to aid the practice and development of Britain’s curling talent. The main goals are the Olympics and World Championships where Britain already has a strong track record though, in the pursuit of any and all gains, marginal or otherwise, British Curling is working hard to maximise the potential of their athletes. Steve was delighted to be able to assist.

If you’re interested in learning more about skill acquisition to enable your activity development, whatever the discipline and level of expertise, Steve will be happy to support you. He runs public courses as well as bespoke training. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and on 07796 213817.

By Steve|October 26th, 2023|Skill Acquisition|Comments Off

A punctuated walk

A warm early Autumn day found us on a quiet woodland walk. We came across a wild rose bush festooned with rose hips. It was also covered in butterflies enjoying the sugar from the hips as they split open to release their seeds. Whilst the majority of the butterflies were Red Admirals (Vanessa atalanta), we did also spot a pair of Commas (Polygonia c-album) and managed to photograph them whilst perching. The Comma typically emerges in March to April and the brood emerges in June and July. There are two forms and the hutchinsoni form will, if the weather is suitably warm, have a second brood which emerges in August and September. The hutchinsoni form has more brightly coloured upper wings with paler underwings, though has the distinctive white comma mark on the underwing as with all of this species – hence the name. The butterfly in the image is a male, as identified by its more deeply indented, serrated wing edges and stronger markings.

If you are interested in discovering and understanding the nature on your doorstep, but would like some guidance and support, Steve will be very pleased to help. He runs all manner of natural history and environmental days and walks on demand as required. Get in touch to chat about your needs on 07796 213817 and at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 1st, 2023|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course

This course covers the critical issues to keep you safe on the sea using sea kayaks, sit on tops and paddleboards. Steve ran the CN&TP course this week for both recreational and qualification seeking sea paddlers. He covered weather, tides, currents, different coastlines, trip planning, navigation, buoyage, pilotage and more. It’s an extremely useful day for anyone going out on the sea in paddlesport craft. It’s also a prerequisite for anyone seeking sea kayak leadership qualifications.

If you’re keen to paddle on the sea and are looking to do so as safely as possible, then this is an ideal course for you. Steve advertises regular dates, though do get in touch to discuss your needs; he’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 1st, 2023|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off

Cave Leader Group Day assssment

Steve was out this week running a BCA Cave Leader Group Day assessment in the Yorkshire Dales. Aspirant Cave Leaders (the award for leading in mainly horizontal caves with some easy scrambling) have to attend a two day training course before presenting for a Core Skills assessment day to check their knowledge, personal skills and equipment use. They then have to attend a Group Day assessment in which, as the name implies, they lead their own group on a caving trip with an assessor observing. Assessors are looking for safe, enjoyable and active days out which encourage participants to do more – the candidate this week certainly delivered on those.

If you’re interested in trying caving, caving training or assessment at any level, then Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to support you. Please get in touch on 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

Steve has regular training courses for both Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader advertised on the website; he can run assessment days on demand as required.

By Steve|October 1st, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

STEVE BANKS OUTDOORS

About Steve

Mell Fell

Out Foxed

Yorkshire Dales Caving

Sea Kayak Leader training course Cumbria

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course in Cumbria

Canoe Leader Training Cumbria

Skill Acquisition days with British Curling

A punctuated walk

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course

Cave Leader Group Day assssment