Is it not too cold?

No! We have spent thousands on quality winter wetsuits and additional winter kit to ensure that you will not get cold!

It’s actually easier to keep you warm in winter as we have no decisions on layering to make….we just give you everything (see kit details and spec below).

Also the location is perfect for the colder months and for staying warm. Stickle Ghyll has been chosen specifically as our “go to” in the winter because of its physicality and challenging terrain.

The challenging terrain will have you working just hard hard enough to generate body heat. Your body heat will then warm up the water trapped inside the wetsuit and even after jumping into cold water the specialist wetsuits will do their job and keep the trapped water and you warm throughout the activity.

 

Winter kit provided:

• Wetsuit Base Layer (3mm)  – This is a clean and dry 3mm neoprene base layer. This is the thickness most companies offer as their main wetsuit and we are using it purely as a base layer!
• Canyoning Wetsuit with Hood (10mm) – This is a clean and dry two piece wetsuit specifically designed for this activity. It will give a combined thickness of 13mm (including the base layer) on your core. Just to put this into perspective – 5mm is classed as a winter wetsuit and ours is over twice that thickness.  Do not be fooled by companies saying they will double up and give you two suits – this just means their suits are terrible and thinner than they are advertising. You would not be able to wear two of ours, they are too thick and you wouldn’t be able to move. Also two of their 3mm or 5mm wetsuits is still thinner than our 13mm suits.
• Wetsuit Socks (3-6mm)  – Two pairs of clean and dry 3mm socks. You are offered 2 pairs but it depends if you can fit both pairs inside your trainers. The reason we offer two thinner pairs as opposed to one thick pair is just in case they don’t fit inside then at least you will be able to fit one pair inside. 3mm is better than nothing at all.
• Wetsuit Gloves (3mm)  – One pair of clean and dry 3mm wetsuit gloves. We don’t offer thicker and the reason is we like to offer second pair of rubber windproof gloves over the top of these to keep windchill out and offer grip. With thicker wetsuit gloves you cannot fit the rubber gloves over the wetsuit gloves which would leave you with slippy neoprene gloves that don’t offer wind protection and would also lead to holes in the soft neoprene.
• Windproof Gloves (rubber)  – One pair of clean and dry rubber over gloves. Grippy and wind resistant.
• Windproof Jacket – This is a clean and dry jacket that will be used when the windchill is below or close to zero. This will help keep any biting wind off your core. 
• Buoyancy aid – This is used purely as added insulation when the temps drop below or close to zero. Its like getting a nice warm reassuring hug throughout the activity.

What else we provide:

• Specialist Helmet & Harness
• Waterproof Container for Medication
• All Equipment & Qualified Guide
• Photo’s – Taken by the instructor and shared at the end of the session.

The location:

Stickle Ghyll is located in the South of the Lake District National Park. The stream runs down the side of the mountain known as the Langdale Pikes. This is a great winter venue and a great ghyll scramble.  The start point of the ghyll scramble is accessed via a massive 1 minute walk from the Sticklebarn Pub Car Park (National Trust Car Park). This location has pay and display parking, public toilets and changing takes place at cars.

Whats involved?

This is a great winter venue and a great ghyll scramble. The experience involves ascending the mountain stream known as Stickle Ghyll. There are a variety of challenges you will encounter along the way such as – falling and jumping into pools of water and climbing waterfalls. It is a strenuous outing due to the steep terrain.

Water safety info:

This ghyll scramble is the most changeable one that we do. In normal levels it is just great wet fun. In periods of heavy prolonged rain it can be extremely aquatic and very full-on.

It is VERY rare for a group to be cancelled due to high water as this location can be ran in most water levels.

We have built up a lot of experience and clocked up years of experience in all conditions in this ghyll and rest assured that we will make the right decision of whether or not to run your session.

Who does it suit?

The winter is ADULTS ONLY. This is fine for “first-timers” – no previous experience is necessary however, you need to have a “let’s have this” mentality when coming out in the winter months and expect to step out of the car into a biting wind and then be willing to put up with the discomfort of getting semi-naked to get into a wetsuit. It could even be potentially snowing and you must have faith the wetsuit will keep you warm.

Although all obstacles are avoidable it is recommended that participants should be confident in water and/or OK with heights. You must be able to walk unaided over slippy and rocky terrain without being crippled by the fear of falling over to best enjoy the experience. It can still be enjoyed if you wish to keep your head above the water OR if you wish to miss out the climbs, however, if you wish to BOTH miss the climbs and the water parts then there is no point booking as you will just be taking a walk in a stream.

The ability to swim is useful but not essential as the wetsuits will keep you afloat when necessary.

The ghyll can be physically demanding as it takes place on a steep mountainside and you need a realistic level of fitness and be a realistic weight to be able to pull yourself up the waterfalls you will be climbing.

What to bring:

• Old trainers – no wellies, sandals, crocs or slip-on type shoes
• Swimming costume/ trunks/ underwear
• Rash vest/ base layer/ gym t-shirt – To wear under the layers we provide (don’t wear cotton – its cold when wet).

Typical timeslots 

• Morning
• Afternoon

How long will it last?

The activity will last no more than 3 hours from the point we meet to the point we say goodbye. The exact time depends on group size, the confidence and ability as well as the fitness of the participants and also the water conditions.

Meeting location:

The meeting point is The Sticklebarn Pub Car Park (National Trust), Great Langdale, LA22 9JU . This is the BIG national trust car park with the shed in it . The parking is pay and display unless you are a member of the trust. Changing will take place in the public toilet block or at cars. You are looking for a silver logo’d van parked up. Please leave enough time for travelling as there are no refunds for people who turn up late.

Pro’s: 

• Suitable for “first-timers”
• Can be ran in flood conditions (group dependant)
• Good waterfall climbs
• Jump/climbs can be avoided
• Two pubs at the start/end point
• Bus transport links
• Easy to find
• Public toilets

 Cons:

• Pay and display parking
• No changing facilities