Tag

Rock Climbing

Padda Crag (A Hidden Gem)

Like many of the more remote Northumberland crags, Padda Crag doesn’t get a great deal of climbing traffic these days but if you fancy a quiet few hours in a stunning location with some short but cracking routes it might be worth seeking it out, which is exactly what Rich did last weekend. Padda Crag Northumberland This sandstone crag it tucked away along narrow roads and tracks north of the village of Gilsland and consists of a series of short walls with routes in all grades. Rich parked near Churnsike... Read More

Picking the right sunglasses.

The sun is finally here, so it is time to get the sunnies out. But picking the right pair for you can take a bit of thought. There are two main things to consider when picking sunglasses, the shape of the frame and the lens. What frame shape is best for you is influenced by the shape of your face; are you Round, Square, Oval, Rectangular, Diamond or Heart? There are many websites to help work this out. Round – If you have a round face, you want to avoid curved... Read More

Stay safe in the hot weather

With the mercury heading upwards and the sun coming out many of you will be heading out to enjoy the weather, but it is important to look after yourself. They say you should drink 2 litres of water a day, and this is very important when it is hot, so keep you water close to hand and easy accessible with a hydration bladder. Most rucksacks are compatible with bladders, but if yours isn’t, the level gauge on the Dukjug will help you keep track of how much you are drinking.... Read More

For the Outdoor Dad

Here are some ideas for father’s day for the Dad who would much rather be out on the hills, mountains or dales, than the fairways, greens or in the clubhouse. A traditional summer hat, the Abisko is made of Fjällräven’s G1000 Lite fabric, offering durability as well as weather protection. Applying Greenland Wax to the fabric will improve its water resistance, making this a fantastic hat for trekking or travelling. The wide brim can be folded in at the sides and held in place with press-studs and an adjustable chin... Read More

Six Lakeland Campsites We Love

With the weather warming and people heading of f  camping and enjoying the outdoors in their local areas, we though we would give you a list of six campsites across in the lakes that a popular with the team here at LD Mountain Centre     Gillside Farm, Glenridding Ullswater A short walk from the village and pub in the shadow of the Helvellyn a nice little farm site next to the gill.         Side Farm Patterdale Ullswater The opposite side of the valley the other side... Read More

Stuff the Duffel – How much kit can a Base Camp duffel take? Part 1 (series of 5)

Duffel Love One of our all time favourite products here at LD is the Base Camp Duffel from North Face. We find ourselves recommending them a lot. Everyone who has ever worked here has got one. We’re pretty sure that extended family and friends of everyone who has ever worked here have all got one. The delivery guy who picks up our parcels every day has got one. You get the picture. Base Camp Benefits For outdoor folk like us (and our family and friends and the parcel delivery guy)... Read More

Climbing on two legs again

This is a little piece done for us by LD Mountain Centre Friend Barry Hobbs, site manager for Go ape Matfen. We all hope to do the ativities we love for as long as we can, here is a positive example of surgery allowing someone to continue taking part in the sport they love.         After nearly forty years of self abuse through climbing and fell-running, I recently had a total hip replacement.  Although the surgeon said that climbing with it wasn’t recommended, he also explained what... Read More

How Big Are Your Hexes?

Climbers, are you looking for a summer challenge. Fancy something a little more vertical than the Three-peaks. Grab your rack and have a go at The Big Hex. To complete this mountaineering challenge, your team will have to climb three of Scotland’s most impressive mountain ranges, ascending and descending via their most exciting ridges and buttresses. The Big Hex participants will have to traverse the Cuillin’s Pinnacle Ridge on Skye, take on Ben Nevis via West Ridge, North East Buttress and Tower Ridge and climb Buachaille Etive Mòr via North... Read More

Inspecting your Harness

It may not be as sexy as your Camalots but if you’ve neglected your harness recently you should make a date and give it a good going over. As climbers we rely on our harnesses more than any of our other gear, there’s no back up to it, if it fails, our whole system fails. Knowing how to look after our harnesses and knowing the warning signs of damage are essential to our safety. Lifespan The manufacturer of your harness gave it a lifespan from the date it was manufactured. If you don’t... Read More

Basejump Utah

Castleton Tower near Moab would catch the eye of any climber or base-jumper. First climbed in 1962, this lone tower of red sandstone points skyward from desert and is high on the tick lists of many climbers.  Adventurer Claire Marie recently climbed the famous tower with her BASE gear in tow. Check out this video of her project.