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Roped scrambles & rock climbs 2024
Lake District weekends. Ideal technical training for Matterhorn / Eiger
Course overview

We operate these popular Lake District based weekends (can be operated on any 2 days for 2 people booking together), on a 1:2 ratio throughout, to develop roped scrambling and rock climbing skills.
These weekends are ideal as training for those of you who are planning ascents of the Matterhorn or Eiger with us, or similar types of routes, e.g. Weisshorn or Dufourspitze via Cresta Rey.
Some of the first recorded climbs in the UK were in the Lake District mountains, and with such a long history of rock climbing and scrambling, there is a great concentration of routes of all grades on the crags.
We cater for all levels of climber, from those wanting to try an easy scramble, to those pushing their grades on technical rock climbs. There is so much to choose from, for all levels of climber and scrambler.

You will be guided by a local instructor, who knows the mountains and routes like the back of their hands, so will spend the day with a real expert who will design the day for you to achieve the most.

If you have an idea of a specific objective or route that you'd like to do, get in contact, and we'll match you with the most suitable instructor to make your ambitions come true.
Dates are sceduled, and also run on demand for this training, and we can offer them on any day of the year apart from on Christmas Day itself. Contact us to upload a bespoke date for you to book.
Outline itinerary

Meeting with your instructor at 08:30 either in our Windermere Office or in Ambleside (ask which if booking accommodation) for a quick briefing about the weather and a kit check, before setting off for the guiding. It is really important to check that you have all the right equipment, to ensure your comfort and safety in the mountains. Below is a sample itinerary, though obviously we adapt this to your skills & experience, and the weather.

1st day: From Old Dungeon Ghyll scramble up Raven crag, before heading onto Loft crag then back down to the South Face of Harrison Stickle with Jacks Rake in descent, as descending is a key skill for the Hornli route. If this is completed quickly then a final ascent of Harrison Stickle, this time from the East Face and the return to the Stickle Barn Pub for refreshments.

2nd day: Travel to Coniston and Dow Crag. This gives a longer walk in to improve your footwork, to access the graded rock climbing terrain of the 3*** classic route of the Giants Crawl. You top out on Dow Crag, and might take in the top of the Old Man of Coniston. On the descent you may opt for yet more broken tecnical ground, to reflect the terrain on the Matterhorn or Eiger, and to build up your movement skills on it.

There is no such thing as a typical day in these weekend courses, as everyone has specific ambitions, be it a long roped scramble or technical multi-pitch rock climbing. There are a wide range of locations nearby, such as in the Langdale or Coniston Fells, to maximise your climbing time. Take a packed lunch / snacks each day, so that you can eat on the hill. We can supply any group equipment required (e.g.
technical protection gear, group first aid kit & climbing rope). If you have a specific ambition, such as Crescent Climb on Pavey Ark or Gimmer Crag, please let us know at the point of booking, as the instructor will need to pack specific kit.

At the end of each day you descend and return to Windermere. We aim to end the trip by 17:00 to allow you time to travel home. You can have a feedback session with your instructor, before departing for home.
Course Prices
Standard course
2 full days guiding, 1:2 guide ratio
Price is per person, based on 2 sharing
£240
Live availability
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Standard Course Inclusions: 1) Qualified instructor (usually IFMGA / WMCI (MIC) / MCI (MIA)) for two days of guiding and instruction, 2) Provision of group safety kit (e.g. first aid kit & ropes).
Exclusions: 1) Travel to & from the national park for the weekend, 2) Equipment hire such as boots or waterproofs, 3) Hill snacks, lunches and breakfast, laundry, telephone calls, 4) Any extra nights of accommodation either before or after the course, though we can advise if you require.
Notes: These weeks are based on 2 people sharing guiding. If 2 of you book together, it can be operated on any date. Get in touch, and we'll upload your bespoke date for you to book online. On the scheduled dates, you can book as a single. In the unlikely event no partner to match with you is found, you'll get a day of 1:1 guiding.
Current course availability

Course Dates
Rock & Roped Scrambles
  • [ 2 ] 13 - 14 Apr 2024
  • [ 0 ] 27 - 28 Apr 2024
  • [ 1 ] 11 - 12 May 2024
  • [ 1 ] 1 - 2 Jun 2024
  • [ 2 ] 8 - 9 Jun 2024
NOTE: This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are two who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
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Price: £240 Book online

Alternative courses
UK navigation skills weekend
UK intro fell running weekend
UK guided mountain walks

Client feedback

A great clutch of routes in the bag, on a great day above the Old Dungeon Ghyll on Middlefell buttress and nearby crags. Thanks so much for organising this

Phoebe J , Rock & Scrambling

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Travel to this trip by train
Train to Windermere
Timings for this trip are such that you can arrive in the Lake District at Windermere on
the first train from London or Manchester (on West Coast main line), and can depart in the afternoon the next day. This means that only 1 night of local accommodation is required.
Location data for this trip
The meeting point for these courses is usually at our office in Windermere in the Lake District National Park. There is easy access by car, and the train station is just 150m from the office door. From here there are a huge variety of mountain terrain to opt for, so we can cater for all weather and conditions. On some weeks we opt to meet in Ambleside, as this is closer to climbing venues.
Personal kit list
If you don't own all these items, don't worry, you can hire all items marked with an asterisk* from our Windermere shop. We stock all items for sale, if you wish to buy with a client discount.
Climbing safety harness *
Climbing helmet *
2x screw gate karabiners *
Belay device *
120cm sling *
Personal 1st aid kit
Walking / mountain boots
Rucksack c.30l max
Gloves for ropework / abseils
Waterproofs (jacket & trousers)
Spare clothes, gloves, hat, etc
Any further questions?
A key part of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients value speaking to real people, getting open and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are British, and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere in the English Lake District.



Get in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor.


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