Touching the cake hole

Something to wet your appetite! This great little film is from a euro ice road trip. This film shows some fantastic ice climbing footage. Is this something you want to do? A Winter Skills Course with Skylark Mountain Adventures is the first step towards safe enjoyable winter mountaineering/climbing adventures!

Imminent conflict

A fantastic days climbing on Black Ladders.......Awesome!

Millstone - Climbing

Last week I had a great day climbing with Kim at Millstone. We arrived at the crag to find we were the only people at the crag and perfect conditions. Kim hadn't climbed at Millstone before so we decided to tick some classic! They were all 3*** routes in my book.

The Mall VS 4c
Down as in the top 50 in the guidebook this route didn't disappoint with lovely sustained climbing.

Next up Great North Road HVS 5a also in the guidebook as top 50.

Chris tightening up his boots ready for a wild HVS!

Chris on Great North Road.

Great climbing in a really wild position but well protected climbing! Check out the dude in the sky.

Chris leading Billingsgate E1 5b. A great route with a crux at the top with not so fantastic protection. One not to fall off!

Kim Seconding Billingsgate E1 5b in style.

 Kim just pulling through the crux on Billingsgate E1 5b. Good effort Kim!

 The last route of the day was Knightsbridge E2 5c. A great little finger crack with small but positive protection. A great  way to finish off a top days climbing!

SPA Preparation Course

 

Day 1 SPA Preparation

The first day was spent looking at setting up bottom/top ropes and group abseils. We also looked at problem solving which included stuck climber, hair caught in belay device, climber off route etc.

David on the crux of Slippery Wall HVS 5b






Here is David belaying Enda up Slippery Wall 

HVS 5b

Enda Seconding and on the crux of Slippery Wall.

Day 2 SPA Preparation

The main focus of this day was lead climbing. We started the day off at Stanage and the headed over to Birchen to avoid incoming bad weather.

Here is Enda placing a cam on the first lead of the day. Black Hawk Hell Crack S4a.

Enda topping out at the end of a good weekend on Sail Chimney S 4a - Birchen. Top effort chaps!

Lake District walking adventure

The Lake District has stunning scenery and presents many opportunities for anyone wanting to partake in outdoor activities. From enjoying some of the classic Wainwright’s Lake District walks to adding a hint of excitement such as learning to scramble, rock climb or even learning some navigation skills we offer a 3 day short adventure break in The Lake District.


Skylark Mountain Adventures in partnership with 1 Park Road, a boutique hotel in the Lake District, are offering short walking breaks with luxury accommodation and some adventure activities combined.


The walking holiday in the Lake District, is guided by one of Skylark Mountain Adventures experienced and friendly members of staff and you will explore the beauty of the Lake District Mountains staying at 1 Park Road that will be exclusively booked out for these short breaks


After a friendly chat with your instructor, maybe booking dinner at 1 Park Road  the next 3 days will be tailored to suit you. Ensuring you get the most out of your Lake District adventure.


Sample Programme


Day 1 
This is an introduction to the mountains taking in one of Wainwright’s classic peaks. Along the way you will learn about mountain flora and fauna and some simple navigation.


Day 2 
On your second day you will venture onto one of the slightly bigger peaks in The Lake District, taking a more adventurous route scrambling alongside an experienced Mountain Instructor.


Day 3 
This day is decided at the end of day two. 
Option 1: Another beautiful mountain walk 
Option 2: Learn more about navigation; this will prepare you for your own adventures. 
Option 3: A scrambling day taking in another peak 
Option 4: An introduction to rock climbing (weather permitting)


Combine this with staying in a small boutique hotel in The Lake District and rewarding yourself with that added bit of luxury after your exhilarating day with a qualified guide- you have the perfect combination for a wonderful short stay break in this stunning part of the world.


For £290 per person we offer a 3 day break that includes bed, breakfast and your own luxury room with a king sized bed if you book early into one of our three luxury rooms and a packed lunch on each of the days. As an optional extra 1 Park Road offers some wonderful 3 course dinners on the Sunday evening of your arrival- what better after the journey on the motorway? Plus enjoy a wonderful selection of fine wines and bottled beers from Europe and around the world.


The 3 day walking break are either from Sunday 2^nd October departing on Wednesday late afternoon 5^th October or Sunday 6^th November departing late afternoon on Wednesday 9^th November.

For further information contact Christopher Guest at Skylark Mountain Adventures on 07894 216421, email: chris@skylark-ma.co.uk or Philip and Mary Burton at 1 Park Road on 015394 42107 or enquiries@1parkroad.com

To book a place, telephone or e mail Philip and Mary at 1 Park Road via 1 Park Road

 

Lead Climbing Course 24th-25th April

 Day 1

Topics covered included placing runners, building belays, escaping the system abseiling and more.

Here is Ruth happy with her belay and ready for Lead Climbing.

Day 2 Lead Climbing

Ruth topping out after cruising her first lead climb Black Hawk Traverse.

Ruth happy after her first lead climb. Well done Ruth top effort.

A fantastic two days on Stanage in the sun, great climbing and great company!

Wimberry Bouldering

A true scorcher of a day. After chilling out in the shade during the hottest part of the day we then headed up to a great boulder called the Tank.

Liam learning how to smear in his rock shoes. Liam was soon climbing with good technique and lots of confidence.

Indie enjoying basking in the sun around the boulders!

Winter Memories

Here a couple of pictures from a fantastic end to the winter season 2011. So many adventures, climbing, mountaineering, digging all combined make a true Scottish adventure!





A great view from a fantastic mountaineering day around the Grey Corries.

 Ian dispatching his pitch on Taxus Direct. A good pitch climbing on bomber turf!

   

Kate topping out on Taxus Direct after eating all the Haribo Aliens!

 

After a quick walk into Ben Nevis we avoided the crowds by heading up to RH Indicator which gave some steep enjoyable ice climbing. Here is Nick seconding in style.

A fantastic view to be greeted by after topping out on Ben Nevis. A great day, good climbing, great weather and good company. Bring on next winter!

Scotland Winter Adventures

After heading up North expecting a week of bad weather we were very pleased to find the weather forecast was wrong!!! For the first part of the week headed for the Cairngorms.

 Caff leading the 2nd pitch of Pot of Gold V 6 ***.

 3 hours later we had a home for a night. A perfect ice pitched roof!

The second half of the week we headed over to Glen Coe. For more great climbing and fantastic weather!

Chris Guest leading 1st pitch Scabbard Chimney V 6 ***.

 Chris Guest at the end of a top week in Scotland!

Boxing Day Ice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With a long walk of 5 minutes on Boxing Day morning I found myself stood at the bottom of a ice pillar 18m high. This was to be another new route to be done in the Chew Valley. It was a fine lead by Rob T on some brittle ice. The ice didn't feel nice on the second! The second ascent was then bagged by Ian Hegg. Top effort to say we were all dragging a stone of turkey up with us and some had hangovers. Description below.

Location: Ladcastle Quarry

Turtle Terror IV 5

Climb the vertical pillar direct to its top 18m.
FA Rob Tortoishell & Chris Guest

 Ian making a swift 2nd ascent of Turtle Terror

 Rob very happy on receiving his prize for the first ascent

 Chris Guest seconding Rob T.

New Winter Route Dovestones Quarry

After a visit to the quarry a couple of days prior to this ascent I found the quarry to be in top nick, with turf like concrete and a good covering of snow. Whilst climbing Initiation corner I spotted a new line! I came back a few days later and put up the new 3*  route with my friend Rob T. Description below. 

Tortoise and the Hare VI 6

1st Pitch 6 130ft - Climb up Initiation corner for 50ft to grassy ledge. Traverse right(5m) to gain the scooped groove of Whipper In. Follow this leftwards moving out round its left edge to a pedestal. Continue up turf and cracks to a large flake. Traverse right and belay in the cave.
2nd Pitch 6 30ft - Exit the cave rightwards and hang tough!
3rd Pitch 5 40ft - Climb the wall just left of the chimney of Browns route to reach the top. 

Here are a few photos of my friend Rob T seconding, top effort!