Lake District Training weekend

The weekend of the 13th and 14th November saw 14 of the Kili team (Michael and Shannon couldn't make it) set off for the Lake District for a training and briefing weekend. 

Maximum Adventure who are organising our trek up Kili, had arranged for us to stay at the Briery Wood Hotel just outside Windermere and it was first class in every regard. Most people arrived at the hotel at around 6pm on Friday evening, save for George who had decided to buy his kit on Friday afternoon and - having entered Blacks in Oxford at 2.30pm, was still there at nearly 7pm emptying the shop of one of just about everything. George eventually blessed us with his presence at about 11.15pm! 

In keeping with everything we have seen from Maximum Adventure so far, the weekend was perfectly organised and we went through a thoroughly professional and comprehensive briefing on what lay ahead, the fitness levels required, equipment, altitude sickness, the route we were taking and much more too. To a man and woman we were all really impressed and delighted too that we had such a competent leader for the climb in Jaz Baughan.

On saturday afternoon we went on a 3 hour trek up to about about 1,500 feet. Although the climb up was quite steep and relentless in its ascent, everyone took it at a modest pace and coped with the ascent well with few if indeed any issues. Everyone really enjoyed it which all bodes well for February. Jaz reported back that the level of fitness of the group was good and that by February everyone should be very well prepared.

At the top the views were spectacular as the series of photos below should testify. It was sunny (on the way up anyway) though it got increasingly cold as we neared the summit of the climb. Fortunately we avoided the rather menacing rain storm that was lurking in the area and remained dry throughout.

 

Whilst the climb up had not presented any real issue to anyone, it was a different story on the way down where far more care was required to navigate the steep and somewhat slippery steps and rocks. No major mishaps however and we all arrived at the bottom in good health - and just in time to see a blanket of thick mist descend over exactly where we had just come from. Perfect timing !

  

On Saturday evening we had an excellent three course dinner and bonded well as a team. The group dynamic was self-evidently working well and there was genuine camaraderie building. Brian and George took away the prize as the weekend's perfect couple however and we all look forward to more crucial decisions (Brahms or Beethoven in the tent?) as we approach February.

Sunday continued where Saturday had left off. After another excellent breakfast we received a further briefing from Maximum Adventure and then walked again for about an hour and a half. 


This time, although the walk was shorter in duration, it was conducted at a fast pace and everyone certainly felt it at the top. 

Regardless, again everyone coped well. The views at the top were great and many photos were taken by an increasingly fit and happy team.

Around 1230 we all made our way back home, some by car some by train and plane after what had been a first class weekend where we had met and made new friends, bonded as a team, eaten and exercised well and learnt a great deal about what was ahead in February.

Roll on February.