natural history

Matterhorn revisited

Steve recently found himself staring up at the iconic Matterhorn for the first time since he climbed it nearly 30 years ago. After attempts in 1994 and 1995, which were both defeated by bad weather and verglas, Steve and his Alpine climbing partner finally reached the summit in 1996. Climbing the Italian ridge (the left side in the image) they were the only people to make the summit on that day, and were rewarded as the thick cloud dispersed to provide incredible views. The vast majority of Matterhorn ascents are up the Hörnli ridge (right edge in the image), usually guided, from Zermatt in Switzerland. Steve and his friend sought out the paths less trodden which, whilst usually more challenging climbs, as in this case, provided a much greater sense of self-sufficiency, satisfaction, connection to the mountain and adventure.

Many summers were spent in the Alps climbing and mountaineering in the 1990s. Steve has climbed a good number of alpine mountains, including 22 of the 66 4000m peaks. Whilst Steve can’t offer alpine guiding, he is more than happy to support your UK based mountain activities summer and winter. Get in touch on 07796 213817 or at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and he’ll do his best to help.

By Steve|March 25th, 2025|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history, Winter Mountain Walking|Comments Off

Stac Pollaidh

Following his recent sea kayak trip to NW Scotland, Steve managed to add in a walk and scramble up Stac Pollaidh in Assynt. With fabulous weather a great hike (and not a little exposed scrambling) up this spectacular rocky remnant of long eroded mountains was had. Assynt is one of the most stunning environments in the UK – one which Steve has used since 2000 to run his regular canoe expeditions. The views over the myriad lochs and other nearby local peaks was fantastic – a day to savour.

If you’d like Steve’s support for your mountain ventures please get in touch on 07796 213817 or email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 10th, 2024|Environment, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

The elusive Green Hair Streak

The Green Hair Streak (Callophrys rubi) is the UK’s only truly green butterfly. Whilst not yet endangered, it is not easy to find and tends to live in small colonies near its favourite food and larval plants. Mid April until the end of June is the best time to see Green Hair Streaks and, knowing that a small colony exists on a local hillside near where there is plenty of its favoured bilberry, Steve set out to see if he could find any. As luck would have it there were two of the tiny creatures flying and briefly landing, though despite following them through the vegetation for a long time, they never paused long enough to permit a good photograph (the image is from a previous encounter at the same place).

These butterflies are about the size of an adult’s thumbnail and blend in to their surroundings making them hard to spot. They always perch with their wings closed, which is when the green undersides to their wings become apparent. The name ‘Hair streak’ comes from the faint white line, or line of white dots on the green underwings, though this can vary significantly between individual animals. Several other British butterflies also have the hair streak marking and name: the Purple, Black, Brown and White Letter Hairstreaks.

If you are interested in learning more about natural history or would just enjoy a nature walk with information and insight into the surrounding environment, then Steve will be pleased to help. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or on 07796 213817.

By Steve|May 14th, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Honeycomb Rock

On a recent visit to Skye we examined these amazing honeycomb rock formations at Elgol. Geologists are not absolutely certain as to the process which creates this effect, though the most common explanation is salt weathering (haloclasty): In coastal environments, salt water penetrates cracks or fissures in the rock surface and then dries and expands in any relatively warm conditions. Salts may expand by up to three times as they dry and crystallise and may crack and fracture the rock as they repeatedly do so. This is similar to freeze thaw effects but in this case may lead to this pitting and honeycombing of the rock. It usually occurs in sandstone formations as is the case in Elgol. Interestingly, it is an effect sometimes seen in sea walls, which rather demonstrates how quickly it can occur.

If you are interested in learning more about the environment around you, Steve will be happy to help. He runs natural history and environmental outings to suit your needs and interests. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and on 07796 213817

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

Ermine in Newlands

Whilst out in Newlands recently we had the good fortune to have an ermine running along the hedgerow beside us, the first time we’d ever encountered a fully white coated stoat in the Lakes. Ermine actually refers to the dense white winter coat of the stoat (Mustela erminea), though not all stoats turn fully white in winter: those living in warmer climes may only partially change colour, or not change at all. Stoats are fearless predators with the ability to take prey much bigger than themselves – they can kill a rabbit with a bite to the back of the neck. The stoat is our second smallest mustelid; it has a black tip to its tail and has a bounding gate, which is a good way to differentiate it from the smaller weasel (the world’s smallest carnivore), which runs while remaining level and has no black tail tip. The mustelid family in the UK is also represented in the wild by badgers, otters, pine martens and polecats. American mink are the descendants of escapes from fur farms, whilst ferrets are domesticated, selectively bred polecats.

If you’d like to know more about the nature on your doorstep, Steve will be happy to help. He offers guided nature and mountain walks on which to explore and explain the environment around you. Get in touch on 07796 213817 or at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|March 26th, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Gone to the Dodds

Steve ventured out on what seemed likely to be the last day of Winter conditions as the weather turned to the West with impending storms from the Atlantic. With the wind speeds already very high and the wind chill severe, a walk from Thirlmere up to Sticks Pass and back over the three Dodds and Clough Head was the order of the day. Visibility was still excellent despite the mini-blizzard of spindrift blasting across the surface. Only a few competent and appropriately equipped folk were about in these challenging conditions.

Even in the Lake District, the difference between valley conditions and those experienced on the summits can be very significant – as was the case on this day. If you would like support to venture into such environments safely and with a very experienced guide, Steve will be pleased to help and advise. Call him on 07796 213817 or email steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 22nd, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history, Winter Mountain Walking|Comments Off

Blencathra in Winter

The recent snow and freezing temperatures led to the winter mountaineering gear being dusted down for a foray up Hallsfell Ridge and down Doddick Fell on Blencathra. A great walk with fabulous views was had in excellent conditions.

If you’d like support to take advantage of these fleeting winter mountain opportunities either in the Lakes or Scotland, Steve will be pleased to help. He can ensure that you have the appropriate equipment and, more importantly, know how and when to use it. He can be contacted on 07796 213817 or by email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 22nd, 2024|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history, Winter Mountain Walking|Comments Off

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

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