Blog – Page 12 – Steve Banks Outdoors

‘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

Cumbria Canoe Leader training (Open Water)

We have the British Canoeing Open Water Canoe Leader training day coming up on Saturday March 26th and have some places available. This courses is suitable for anyone paddling or sailing canoes or canoe rafts on large bodies of inland water in moderate conditions e.g. some waves and wind. It covers the relevant personal skills, group organisation, incident management and necessary equipment. The course also acts as preparation for British Canoeing’s Open Water Canoe Leader assessment for those pursuing this qualification.

For those seeking British Canoeing’s personal skill award at this level (Progressive Canoe Award), we can issue that following this day to anyone paddling at the required standard.

If you’re interested in the course or would like to know more please get in touch with Steve who’ll do his best to assist: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk & 07796 213817

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

Sea Kayak Leader training, Cumbria

Steve is running British Canoeing’s Sea Kayak Leader training course in Cumbria on the 19th & 20th March. This course is ideal for anyone wishing to venture out on the sea in kayaks either with friends or in a more formal leadership role (Sea Kayak Leader). It covers the personal skills, trip planning, group organisation and incident management skills required to safely undertake coastal journeys in sea kayaks. It also provides all the information and knowledge which will be examined for those wishing to continue to the Sea Kayak Leader assessment day.

If you’d like to know more about the course and/or enrol please contact Steve on 07796 21381 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|March 7th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course, Cumbria.

We have a British Canoeing Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course running on March 18th and have some places available. This course is based indoors and covers the knowledge and information required to safely plan and undertake coastal journeys in small craft. It is a prerequisite for those wishing to gain the Sea Kayak Leader award, though is very valuable for anyone venturing out on the sea in sea kayaks, canoes, sit on tops or on paddle boards.

There is no assessment, though British Canoeing will issue a certificate (fee) on completion. If you’d like to know more about the content please get in touch with Steve who will explain the day to you.

By Steve|March 7th, 2022|Sea Kayak|Comments Off

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