Wild Ennerdale

On Sunday 19th March a team of three clients, one veteran and two of his colleagues, gathered at Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre for the start of Extreme Outdoors first Mountain Foundation Course. This would consist of everything a relative novice would need to know to obtain the skills and knowledge to stay safe in a mountainous environment conducted in an expedition type scenario.

Planning and map recces were discussed during the evening with workshops on kit and equipment requirements, packing, cooking systems and overnight camping techniques delivered in the morning. Once the group had worked out who was carrying what, we headed off for our first objective for Day 1, Warnscale Bothy. This would take us up and over the classis Haystacks (597m) and past the iconic Innominate Tarn where Alfred Wainwright’s ashes were scattered.

After some basic coaching on moving over more technical ground with loads of navigation and speed/time/distance appreciation we arrived at our destination and commenced wet and dry routine and some serious bothy admin. With the use of a SPOT satellite beacon, we were able to make contact with home support (Sip’s wife Emma!) and get updates on weather and wind for the next 24 hours.

Day 2 commenced with more wet and dry routine, breakers, hot wets and load bags ready for the off. The met was now fully in with high winds and rain. We made our way to Dubs Hut Bothy not before a fairly challenging river crossing, and settled in to use it as a base camp for the day. There were further workshops on safeguarding clients on steep ground, building secure anchors and more navigation training. As the day progressed the weather seriously deteriorated to a point where it would potentially become dangerous to attempt to overnight in tents or venture out on the planned night nav. So instead, we got some rope tricks going, loads of scran on the go and some badly played card games.

During the evening a three-person team made up of two Americans and a German came in with one of the guys needing some quick assistance to prevent hypothermia kicking in. Followed two hours later by a pair of mountain bikers also seeking sanctuary from the elements. Packed house, but everyone helping each other out, we weathered the storm (40 to 50 plus mph gusts).

Day 3 and the final wet and dry routine and we made our way off the mountains with some assessment condition style nav off the hills. Loads more river crossings and a steep descent down Loft Beck re-entrant looking at the wind whipping through Black Sail Pass. We grabbed a final hot wet at Black Sails YHA before the 7km yomp back down the valley to LGFC. Some swift admin, a nice ‘warmers’ dhobie before heading off to Ennerdale Bridge for a well-deserved pint and amazing pub meal at the Fox and Hounds Inn.

I would like to thank the hospitality of both El and Walt the wardens at LGFC but more importantly to Kris, Lewis and Paul who were amazing on the hill considering the weather they were dealing with and the weight in their packs. I couldn’t think of three better blokes to be stuck in a bothy with!