Wild Northern Fells Challenge

Itinerary

Day 1
Travel to Lake District (Keswick) and stay overnight in comfortable bunkhouse accommodation. Evening briefing with your leader, and get your equipment ready for the following day. Please ensure you arrive by the very latest 19:00.

Day 2
Breakfast - 06:30. Early morning start to explore the Fells of Skiddaw and beyond - before descending into a tranquil and wild valley beside a running mountain stream.

Early evening we shall find ourselves a nice sheltered spot, to pitch our tents, with access to running water. Your leader will brief you on the etiquette of wild camping and ecology in the mountains. Cook dinner (dinner and breakfast provided by Adventure Café as part of this event) and enjoy a very special evening!

Day 3
Again – we shall start early – trying to cram in a full day. After breakfast and packing down our tents, we get out this time into the wilds of Blencathra before dropping down into Keswick once more. We’ll expect to be wrapping up by about 15:30 - 16:00, ready for our return home…. exhausted, but with great memories of a Lakeland less explored! Returning to civilisation will be a bittersweet experience - enjoying the creature comforts, but sad to leave behind the beautiful wilderness!

Accommodation

We’ll be staying in comfortable bunkhouse style accommodation for night 1, with bedding provided, but please do bring your own towels. We’ll provide breakfast, but you need to bring towel, and wash kit.

Our accommodation is close by to evening meal venues, and for some last minute food shopping for lunches – spar / cornershop. It’s also conveniently located for our walks… handy!

Adventure Café will provide mountain tents for you for the wild camp - which will be suitable for this trip. They are new, in good condition, and fairly lightweight - making your job in carrying them slightly easier! If you have you would like to bring your own tent then you are more than welcome (as long as the tent is reasonable for the type of terrain/weather), we would just ask if you could share to reduce the footprint of tents on the mountain.

What is a Level 3.5 Trekking Challenge Like?

These challenges are either longer, higher, or span several days. In the case of single day events, you can expect up to 12 hours trekking. In the case of a multi day trek, you can expect lower daily durations - but of course - the effort is sustained over a longer period. You need to be keen on physical exercise for these events, and to enjoy taking exercise, and to do it regularly. Longer duration long haul treks are likely to be easier in terms of the physical walking, however, you will need to be more resilient - due to simple living conditions - ie using same clothes for several days, lack of washing facilities, simple food, and maybe camping - this forms an integral part of the challenge.

How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 3.5 ‘Trek’?

You need to have good endurance for these events. You must be used to doing very long walks in the countryside - 7 hours + . You should be doing regular exercise - possibly with some running. Your running speed will be around 10-11 minute miling, and you should be able to run a minimum of 4 to five miles. If you do not run, you should be concentrating on other types of exercise - but for longer periods of time (i.e. sessions in excess of 1.5 hrs.) - these other forms of exercise should be at a moderate to high level.

Medical Issues

Please note, it is extremely important for this physical challenge that you are in good health. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please consider carefully whether you should be joining the challenge. Please ensure you fill in the booking form accurately and honestly, this is important. In the case of serious conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, heart conditions, recent illness or operations), please discuss the challenge with your GP. Please also ensure you notify us of any allergies or similar.

You should be used to walking reasonable distances each day to contemplate this trek. It requires stamina and good aerobic fitness - but good willpower will also come in handy! Failure to disclose medical conditions is a serious omission - that could have serious repercussions on any of our challenges.

Special Notes

This is a self sufficient itinerary meaning you will be carrying your own equipment (tents shared in pairs). A high level of fitness is required for this challenge. You must train and be able to carry this weight for yours and the groups safety.

Included In Trip

Guiding, accommodation (bed and breakfast in bunkhouse style accommodation for night 1), tents and stoves for night 2, evening meal and breakfast whilst wild camping.

Excluded From Trip

Transport to start of event, lunches, dinners. Personal equipment, Transfer from Keswick to start of event, and back at the end of the event.

Equipment Required

Medikit
Suncream, blister repair kit, plasters, vaseline, painkillers, sunbloc

Washkit
Pack towel (lifesystems recommended), soap (small bar)
shampoo (not a full size bottle!), toothbrush, toothpaste (small size)

Hill walking items
Sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner - please check whether you require a sleeping bag
Day sack (25-35 litre)
Rucksack liner(s) / plastic liner(s) 
Bladder system (highly recommended - or other water bottles e.g. exercise bottle/Nalgene bottle)
Walking poles (highly recommended)
Sun hat (wide brimmed), neck scarf
Lunches - you may wish to pre-pack lunches, but please check this with us
Snack foods - we recommend good slow burning items - nuts, dried fruit, cereal bars etc.

Warm clothing
Lightweight fleece, medium weight Fleece
Lightweight gloves, heavy gloves (mitten type recommended)
Fleece hat, balaclava

Trek Clothing
Long cotton trekking trousers, 1 pair tracksuit bottoms
Comfortable trekking shirts (long/short sleeved)
Walking boots (broken in with ankle protection)
Gaiters (appropriate to moor wilderness / moorland treks - please ask!)
Walking socks, liner Socks, underwear
1 change of casual evening wear

Waterproofs
Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (Gore-tex, E-vent) & Outer Waterproof Bottoms

Other
Toilet roll / pack of travel tissues, spare lace, camera, film / memory card / spare battery

Wallet, credit cards, cash, sunglasses, spare comfortable shoes, penknife

Mobile phone (packed in a plastic bag deep inside your day pack!), emergency rations (energy foods - for the tough days on trek), head torch with spare batteries and bulb

Kit Hire

It is possible to hire equipment via our specialist kit hire providers Outdoor Hire Ltd. We have negotiated a 10% discount for all our mountain challengers.

Safety Information

By nature all activities contain an element of risk.Your leader will be first aid qualified and will carry the appropriate safety kit for the activity, such as mountain safety shelters, walking rope and from time to time mobile radios. Safety equipment carried will be appropriate to trip. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions.

You will be carrying substantial weight with your overnight equipment. Please ensure you have trained with this equipment and able to conduct the length of day with this additional weight.

Weather

Please plan to experience everything from glorious burning sunshine to rain and even snow or hail. Please ensure you pack sufficient water, and sun protection. But also please do not forget your hats, gloves, and waterproofs, as well as warm gear.

Notes on Trekking Events

Trek the Mountains of the World with Adventure Cafe, and our fantastic team of qualified leaders. From the UK, to the Alps, Pyrenees, Atlas Mountains, Himalayas and even Kilimanjaro. Put our International Mountain Leaders to the test! Check.

Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions

To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge