Come and meet us and find out about our events for 2015

We are excited to announce that we will be giving a short talk at Cotswold Outdoor in High Holborn, London from 7pm on Thursday 12th February.

The purpose of the evening will be for you to meet us, hear more about who we are and the trips we are running in 2015 and then to ask any questions you may have.  Cotswold have kindly agreed for us to make use of the store and there will also be a VERY short talk from Costwold about some equipment recommendations for weekend walking in the lakes and trekking in the Alps.

The store closes at 7pm, but will remain open to let us in, where you can then take your seat, or browse in the store before we start.  The talks will be no more than 45 minutes in total and then we will move round the corner to answer any more questions you have, or just to chat in one of the local pubs.

We will be talking about all of the events we have planned, but with a special focus on the Tour Du Mont Blanc and Alpine walking week trips and include recommendations on fitness, what to expect, accomodation, food and packing light.

Places will be limited, so please send an email to lakesmountainhikes@gmail.com to reserve a place.

Kendal Mountain Festival & Ueli Steck

We have had a fantastic couple of days at the Kendal Mountain Festival (KMF) so far seeing some great films, talks and shows.

The KMF is the largest mountain festival of its kind in the UK and attracts a huge number of people, from professional climbers, to outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.  The focus of the festival is the films but there are also a huge array of talks by climbers, trekkers, skiers etc.

Ueli Steck

By far and away, the highlight for us has been a talk given by Ueli Steck yesterday afternoon at the leisure centre in Kendal.  Judging by the queue outside which wound its way down the street and round the car park, this was equally a highlight for lots of other people as well.

The hall was packed and Ueli gave an absolutely breathtaking talk of his many achievements.  For those not aware of his accomplishments he scaled the north face of the Eiger in under 3 hours, solo and without ropes.  Then in 2013 he completed an ascent of the South Face of Annapurna in record time, also solo without ropes, or oxygen.  Annapurna is the 10th highest mountain in the world and over 8000m high in the Himalayas, which usually takes an expedition several weeks to complete and requires the use of Oxygen for most mortals.  Ueli scaled the summit and returned to base camp in under 28 hours, a quite staggering achievement.

So we eagerly awaited Ueli's talk and were not dissappointed.  He gave an entertaining and quite funny talk at times, illustrated with amazing photos and videos of him scaling the Eiger, Annapurna and other spectacular summit and ridge climbs.  One little quip, which maybe illustrates this, was when he was talking about how he came to climb so quickly.  His answer to this was that he had a very strict wife, who insisted that he was back for dinner each day.  Being Swiss, if she said dinner was on the table at 7pm, then he had to be back at 7 on the dot, so he developed his unique style and amazing speed to make sure he was home on time.

Arc'teryx Evening

On Friday we attended a series of talks and films sponsored by Arc'teryx which included a great film about budding climbing star Mina.  It showed the stresses and strains and shear hard work involved in becoming a professional climber and competing on the indoor circuit.

Saturday Film Fest

On Saturday we attended a large number of films about a variety of subjects relating to mountaineering and snow sports.

China Jam
Our favourite was a film called China Jam about an expedition by a group of climbers with musical skills, to attempt an unclimbed wall in a remote valley in western China.  It really showed the determination and effort involved in scaling a remote peak, with huge amounts of food and equipment needed to keep the team going for several weeks while they climbed.
The most memorable parts of the film though were the characters and the times when the weather was so bad they were forced to remain in their tents suspended high up on the cliff face.  To amuse themselves they got out a collection of instruments including mandolin, xylophone, flute and drums to pass the time.  Absolutely hilarious at times, great fun at others and inspiring in equal measure.

Herford: the life and death of an Edwardian climber
Affecting in a very different was a film about an Edwardian Climber called Herford, who was a contemporary of Hilary and considered the greatest climber to have lived before the first world war.  He made some great early ascents in the lake district, but unfortunately his climbing and life were cut short during the first world war.  So the timing of the film was very poignant given the 100 year anniversary of the first world war and the film inter-weaved a lot of historical information, about climbing at the time and about Herford and his life.

Dream Line
This was another fascinating film, but again in a very different way.  This told the story of a competitive skier and adventurer whose dream was ski some of the highest and steepest snow slopes in the world.  His final dream was to ski a face on Gashot in the remote Pakistan Himalayas.  The film told an interesting story about his life and how his dreams had intertwined with his life and reality and had a quite profound effect on him as a skier.

There were many other films we have seen and a huge number we haven't been able to get to, but this maybe gives a flavour for the event and hat we have seen so far.  More films today and then the best of Kendal screening tonight which we cant wait to see.

Sunset over Windermere

A few weeks ago we were really lucky to be out and heading past Windermere, when we saw this fantastic sunset.

Navigating in Wales

I have just spent the last few days in Wales honing my navigation skills in the hills and moors of Snowdonia.  Luckily the weather was extremely mild and stayed reasonably dry, except for yesterday when there winds forecast for about 50mph which almost blew us off the ridge we were on.  

              Looking  relaxed before the nerve racking navigation exercises

Navigation is a fine art, lots of things to think about, watch out for but it is quite logical.  However despite being a woman, I have discovered that I cannot count paces, look at the map and keep an eye on the time! So much for women being better at multi- tasking. 

We even stayed out in the dark one day to practice night navigation, lots of trampling through the gorse and heather, getting lost, peering into the dark with head torches, but we made it back safely without getting wildly lost. 

                                          Night navigation practice

Navigation is mentally exhausting, so am glad to be back home, but it is always great to go on courses and keep up with current events.  

Aira Force Walk

There are always interesting places to visit and see in the lake district whatever the whether is like.  So this morning, after heavy rain in the night and for most of the last couple of weeks to be honest, we decided to take a gentle walk up to Aira Force before the rain started again.

We were rewarded with the spectacular sight of the waterfall in full and thunderous flow.  A truly wonderful sight.

On the way back we also found this rather amusing tree which I thought looked like an old man with a very long nose.

And finally on the way back to the car this amazing looking tree.  At this time of the year we are really lucky in the lakes with so much spectacular autumn colour,

Upcoming Trips and Breaks

We have been a little quiet the last few weeks as we have been busy planning, booking and writing up trips for next year.  We have now finished the first round of this and are really excited at the variety of trips planned and are looking forward to a great year.  Many are already getting booked up and all the details can be found on the website at www.mountainhikes.co.uk. Highlights include:

Tour Du Mont Blanc in July

The Tour Du Mont Blanc is rightly the most popular long distance hike in Europe. Spectacular views of Mont Blanc itself, plus too many other snow capped summits to count, glistening glaciers, flower filled valleys, alpine villages and the opportunity to experience three different countries on one trip.
Availability - 8 places booked, 4 available 

Climb Ben Nevis in June

The West Highlands of Scotland is well known for its rugged mountain landscapes, stunning sea lochs and beautiful glens. Ben Nevis is at the centre of this region and offers some of the most spectacular views, walks and landscapes in the UK.
Availability - 14 booked, 2 places available

Alpine Hiking Week in September

France's Chamonix Valley, with its spectacular backdrop of Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountain, is the perfect location for our week long hiking trip. Based at our comfortable gite in the centre of the village of Argentiere, this superb hiking holiday will ensure that you get the most out of your week in the Alps.
Availability - 16 places available

More

We have a lot more short breaks for hiking and for yoga and hiking in the lake district throughout the summer, so have a look at www.mountainhikes.co.uk and I hope you can join us.

Glamping in Langdale - yurt viewing

 We are planning events for next year so I drove over to Langdale yesterday to have a look at the yurts on the National Trust campsite.

It was a beautiful sunny Autumn day and the campsite was very quiet.

Perfect location and the yurts were cosy, well equipped and suit us down to the ground next year for a couple of our weekends.  Well stocked shop and the campsite is making moves to be as environmentally friendly as possible, so ticks a lot of boxes.  

All in all I was impressed, so watch this space for Glamping events there in 2015.

                                   Spectacular view approaching the campsite

                          Inside the yurt - sleeps 5-6 comfortably on good quality beds

                            The yurts are tucked into a quiet corner of the campsite 

  Each yurt comes well equipped with crockery, pots,pans, cleaning things etc and a wood burning stove - even the wood is supplied

  Campsite empty but pitches are usually well spaced out - a 6metre gap between tents is stipulated

         There is even a small climbing wall if you fancied it - but expect an audience!

Fancy joining us?  We have now booked the yurts for the August Bank Holiday, so see more details and book at www.mountainhikes.co.uk.

Keswick Hiking weekend / 19-12 September 2014

We had a smaller than normal but very select group for our latest weekend break in Keswick, but were blessed with fantastic weather and did two great walks. 
On Saturday we took a stroll through Keswick to the lake shore to catch the boat across to Hawes End, then headed up Catbells and Maiden Moor before making our way back along the lake shore, for the return boat trip back to Keswick. 
On Sunday we had clear blue skies as we started up Skiddaw from Keswick. Great views throughout the day and a great group of people. 
We even had musical accompaniment, at each stop on the way, courtesy of Mayeul and his magical Ukulele.

Saturday

Mayeul gives us a song on his Ukulele as we head out on the Ferry from Keswick to Hawes End.

A bit more strumming on the way up to Catbells, assisted by AnneMarie and Daniela.

Lydia stops for a helping hand along the lakeshore of Derwentwater.

Cooling off aching feet in Derwentwater while waiting the ferry back.  Meanwhile Mayeul plays on.

Large quantities of tea and cake being consumed back at the hostel at the end of the day.

Sunday

Looking down over Keswick and the lake, with Catbells and Maiden Moor on the right.

Views on the way up to Skiddaw on Sunday morning.  Looking across the Derwent valley.

On the summit of Skiddaw, with Ullock Pike and Bassenthwaite behind

Relaxing on the way back down.  Time for a bit more strumming from Mayeul.

A final helping of tea and cake on the Balcony over looking the river Greta, before heading home

Westmorland Show

Last week, Yen and I headed off to the Westmorland Show.  Its the largest agricultural show in the country and was a real treat, with farm animals of all shapes and sizes being shown off and prepared for the judges.

Prize Bulls being prodded and poked

And Paraded

Showed off

Mad cow disease now a thing of the past.....or is it (check out the sign on the tent)

Yen poses with a prize bull

Meanwhile the pigs are also on parade

Its tough getting the animals ready and looking in their prime, from top to bottom!

So you need a break every now and again, for a coffee and a read up of the program.

But all worth it, for the sheep looking great.

And fluffy

Sheep in pens as far as the eye (well camera) can see.

Yen finds a really fluffy one and tries to convince me they would make great pets.

Heavy horses on parade with their replacement horsepower in the background.

And first prize goes to...

Ambleside Hiking and Yoga Weekend

Last weekend we had a fantastic group of people at Ambleside for a Yoga and Hiking break.  The weather was fantastic and we had two great days walking from the hostel.
On Saturday we headed out towards Loughrigg Tarn, then followed the river Brathay to Elterwater, before taking the path over the hillside and through woods to Little Langdale.  Our final leg was back to Skelwith Bridge and along lanes back to Ambleside.
On Sunday we walked through the village to Rothay Park, then along lanes as far as Rydal Mount.  We then headed along the bridleway up to the caves and along Loughrigg Terrace with its great views across Grasmere.  Our highlight was the walk uphill to the summit of Loughrigg Fell itself where we had stupendous views of all the surrounding fells.
Plenty of tea and cake was consumed beside the lakeshore, as were a few beers, at the end of each day.