The Big Walk

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in plety of time for your overnight stay. 

Day 2 - We begin the day with a transfer to Kielder Castle to start our 32km forest trek Westwards back to Whithaugh Park. We meet the Bakethin Reservoir and then head on to follow the English and Scottish Border.

Day 3 - We begin the day with a transfer to Hermitage Castle to start our 21km trek Southwards over the Fells back to Whithaugh Park. This is an up and over day with approx 500m ascent. 

Accommodation

Our base for the weekend will be WhithaughPark Residential Centre, located in the Scottish Borders countryside close to the town of Newcastleton. The venue has Scandinavian-style log-cabin accommodation, and the option to pitch a tent and camp as well as communal spaces for dining.

Whithaugh Park also has an on-site indoor heated swimming pool and a 300m zip wire that walkers will be able to make use of at a small additional cost.

Log Cabins

There are several log cabins dotted around the spacious hill-top site - the accommodation is basic but warm and clean; each cabin with shower and toilet facilities and up to 4 separate bedrooms. Bedrooms sleep between 2 and 6 people in bunkbeds or single beds. Bedding is included but you will need to bring your own towel and toiletries. You will also be able to make hot drinks.

Camping

Camping is also an option; there is a large field where tents can be pitched, and campers will have access to shower and toilet facilities. There is space for a few caravans, but please note that we do not have the facility for either electricity or water hook-ups.

Don’t need accommodation? No problem, we also have a ‘Walker’ package, which includes everything except your bed for the night, so you can make your own overnight accommodation arrangements.

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

PACKAGES

The following packages are available to participants when registering:

Lodger - £150

·        Registration

·        Indoor accommodation in a log cabin

·        Event support

·        Checkpoint refreshments

·        Breakfast at base camp on Saturday & Sunday mornings, packed lunches on Saturday & Sunday

·        Dinner at base camp on Friday and Saturday evenings

·        Medal

Camper - £100

·        Registration

·        Tent pitch and access to facilities

·        Event support

·        Checkpoint refreshments

·        Breakfast at base camp on Saturday & Sunday mornings, packed lunches on Saturday & Sunday

·        Dinner at base camp on Friday and Saturday evenings

·        Medal

Walker - £75

·        Registration

·        Event support

·        Checkpoint refreshments

·        Breakfast at base camp on Saturday & Sunday mornings, packed lunches on Saturday & Sunday

·        Dinner at base camp on Saturday evening (NB. does not include Friday evening dinner)

·        Medal

A deposit of 50% of the package cost will be required to book your place at the Big Walk, followed by monthly payments. This can be by salary deduction or partner account deduction. We can also take payment by card but will require the full payment. If paying by card, please note we do not accept AMEX payments.

Included In Trip

Registration

Event Support

Checkpoint Refreshments

Breakfast at base camp on Saturday & Sunday mornings, packed lunches on Saturday & Sunday

Dinner at base camp on Saturday evening (N.B does not include Friday evening for Walker package

Medal

Excluded From Trip

Participants need to make their own way to the venue. The full address is; Whithaugh Park, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders, TD9 0TY. There is plenty of parking on-site, but we would recommend that participants share cars to get there. The nearest mainline train-station to the centre is in Carlisle, which is about 25 miles away. If there is enough demand, we may look into the possibility of putting on coach transport from Cirencester – this would be at additional cost.

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.

Weather

Expect everything from sunshine to a full blown blizzard or thick fog and heavy rain - anything is possible… so be prepared! If the event is run in the summer - we shall all keep our fingers crossed and hope for fine weather! We shall check your equipment. If in doubt please ask.

Notes on Trekking Events

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Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions

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