News Blog
Gift vouchers available
Christmas is fast approaching! If you're looking for something a little different for that special person why not consider a gift voucher for one of our mountain challenges or our mountain skills and navigation courses. After shave and socks are predictable - give a gift voucher for an unforgettable experience!
Gift vouchers are available all year round and are great for any occasion.
Give us a call or e-mail enquiries@bigwalks.com
Bigwalks on the move!
We are currently in the process of moving office so lots of our stuff is packed in boxes and things are sometimes a little difficult to find!
If you are waiting for a response to an e-mail or other enquiry we will answer them as quickly ar possible. Remember, we can always be contacted 24/7 on our mobile number 07584 177506.
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Remembrance Day on Great Gable
The Remembrance Day service on Great Gable in the Lake District on Sunday was attended by what appeared to be a record number of people. In excess of 600 people made the journey to the summit of the Lake District peak in perfect weather conditions. There was a dusting of snow above 600 metres and clear blue skies, although the mist made an occasional brief appearance, making for some interesting photo opportunities.
The memorial plaque on the summit rocks was refurbished earlier this year and the service included dedicating the memorial again in memory of those members of the Fell and Rock Climbing Club who lost their lives in the World wars.
*** FREE navigation training day! ***
We're offering a free navigation training day on Sunday 1st December 2013 at the Lake District. This is ideal for those with absolutely no experience of map and compass AND for those wanting to refresh their existing skills!
Knowing a few simple map and compass skills is one of the surest ways to stay safe on the hill and avoid becoming one of the Mountain Rescue statistics we read about so often!
There's no pressure, no assessment, just an opportunity for you to have some fun learning some simple navigation techniques and meet like minded people. Maps and compasses will be supplied or you can bring your own. You will need to be dressed for a day on the hill as all instruction will be outdoors.
Places are limited so early booking is essential. For further details and to reserve your place please contact us by phone or e-mail:
07584 177506
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Gift vouchers available
Christmas is fast approaching! If you're looking for something a little different for that special person why not consider a gift voucher for one of our mountain challenges or our mountain skills and navigation courses. After shave and socks are predictable - give a gift voucher for an unforgettable experience!
Gift vouchers are available all year round and are great for any occasion.
Give us a call or e-mail enquiries@bigwalks.com
Ride the Lions and chase the dragon! 3 peaks challenge 2014
We are now taking bookings for the three peaks challenge 2014 so if you book your 3 peaks event today we will guarantee 2013 prices.
Great Gable memorial plaque
The memorial plaque on the summit of Great Gable has been removed for restoration work.
The memorial commemorates twenty members of the Lake District Fell and Rock Climbing Club who lost their lives during the first world war. It's been in place on the summit rocks of Great Gable since 1924 but was removed on 10th July this year by soldiers of the Royal Engineers. Because of it's size and weight - it weighs 40 kilograms - It was carried down the fell on a stretcher and will be renovated at a foundry before being re-installed at the summit. Work is expected to take about 8 weeks.
Every year hundreds of people attend a rembrance day service at the summit of Great Gable and the memorial plaque is central to this.
Book your 3 peaks challenge 2014 at our 2013 price
For those who book this year Bigwalks Mountain Adventures are offering the 3 peaks challenge 2014 at our 2013 price. In addition we will not be beaten on price for an identical package.
This offer is also open to most of our other challenges so why not try our Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge. If you are feeling extra fit our Lakes Ten peaks challenge is a tough one.
We also offer 3 peaks challenge training events in the Lake District. So even if you are organising your own, self supported 3 peaks challenge event, you can still benefit from the experts in the three peaks challenge!
Yorkshire 3 peaks path improvements
A massive improvement to the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge route means no more sinking up to one's waist in bog!
The route descending from Pen Y Ghent and continuing to Whitber Hill has had new paths and signage installed. This has made a massive improvement to the 3 peaks route and although slightly longer it makes for a quicker journey! There's also no reason for getting lost on this section of the route with the new signs.
Breaking news - US company wins UK Search & Rescue contract
It is believed that the US company Bristows, is to be announced as the winner of the contract to provide search and rescue capabilty, replacing the UK's RAF and Royal Navy Seakings helicopters. The contract is from 2015 to 2026 and will bring to an end 70 years of British military search and rescue operations.
The ageing Seaking will be replaced with modern Sikorsky S-92s and Agusta Westland 189s helicopters.
Snow causes havoc
Heavy snowfall and strong winds have caused havoc in many parts of the country over the weekend. Cumbria and Yorkshire have seen some of the biggest snow drifts in many years, with most of the Counties roads either closed or passable only with extreme care.
Mountain Rescue teams have been rescuing stranded motorists from the freezing conditions. Some of the snow drifts completely covered vehicles and reached 15 feet high in places.
Art Refuge UK - Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge
The ARUK team have decided to take on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge to raise funds for the Charity, climbing the three highest peaks in Yorkshire, Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough (climbing about 1,600 metres (5,300 feet) and walking nearly 40km (23 miles) in the process! Our target is to raise £3,000 for Art Refuge UK.
Our team of 7 ARUK volunteers invite you to join them in this challenge and help to raise crucial funds the Charity - contact emily@artrefuge.org.uk for more information.
If you would like to support us (without the hard work!) please sponsor us at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/arukyorkshire3peaks
Climbing tragedy on Ben nevis
A climber received fatal injuries after falling while climbing on Ben Nevis on Monday 25th February. The climber has been named as Mark Phillips, 51 yrs from Spean Bridge, Scotland. Mark is the 11th fatality in the Scottish mountains this Winter. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Cairngorms avalanche kills 3 climbers
An avalanche on Thursday in the Cairngorms has claimed the lives of 3 climbers. Two of the deceased were RAF personnel, Flight Lieutenant Fran Capps, 32 and Sqn Ldr Rimon Than 33 yrs. The third victim, a member of Glenmore Lodge Winter skills training course has not yet been named.
The avalanche occurred in the Chalamain Gap, near Cairn Gorm about 12.30 and a rescue operation was under way immediately. Lake District search and rescue dogs (SARDA) and Scotland SARDA were training in the area when the incident occurred and were quickly on the scene together with mountain rescue teams from Cairngorm, Glenmore Lodge and Lossiemouth.
Beth's Wish - Lake District 10 peaks challenge
This is Beth. Tragically Beth lost her fight with cancer in September last year at just 20 years of age.
During Beth's illness it became apparent to Beth's mum, Helen, that there are very few places for young people 18 to 25 years of age to receive care for terminal illnesses.
Beth's mum, family and friends are taking on our Lake's 10 peaks challenge in the summer. This fundraising event is an attempt to raise £100,000 towards a dedicated young persons room, in Beths memory, in the new, state of the art, hospice that is due to be built at St Michaels in the near future.....
If you are able to support Beth's Wish you can make an on-line donation by following the link below. Please feel free to share this with friends, colleagues and family. Many thanks.
Link to Beth's Wish on-line Virgin giving page
RUNNING the Coast to Coast !
A fitness expert from Nottinghamshire is planning to RUN Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast route in July 2013 - that's just a blister under 200 miles !
Ronnie Staton, a fitness instructor at OutKlass Fitness in Retford, is taking on this amazing challenge to raise funds for the ongoing treatment of William Stones, a 3 year old boy who suffers from a form of Cerebral Palsey.
I'm sure you'll join us in wishing Ronnie (and William) every success. We'll update you in July about how Ronnie got on.
Ronnie has a blog where you can follow his progress in training for this mammoth challenge and even make an on-line donation. There's also a link to William's web site.
Good luck Ronnie! Ronnie Staton.com
Scafell Pike rescues
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team responded to four incidents this week involving walkers getting lost on England's highest peak, Scafell Pike.
All 4 incidents involved navigational errors while descending from the summit. The most serious incident could have ended in tragedy when four young men descending from Scafell Pik's summit strayed into Piers Gill, a notorious trap, and then became crag fast on steep, unstable ground on Lingmell when they attempted to climb out of Piers Gill.
Scafell Pike is one of the mountains in the 3 peaks challenge - an attempt to climb the highest peak in England, Scotland and Wales, usually in 24 hours.
Descending from the summit of Scafell Pike in darkness or poor conditions is notoriously difficult for those who are unfamiliar with the mountain. Sadly there have been numerous casualties over the years on the mountain, often caused by walkers being unprepared or ill equipped.
Guiness World Record Attempt
The Guy Francis cancer research fund are attempting to get into the Guiness book of records by raising the most donations by SMS text messaging in 24 hours - On 23rd to 24th October 2012 they'll attempt to raise as much as possible via text messages.
Simply text: BONE 70444 and £3 will be automatically donated to their cause (you can also increase this amount if you wish) Have a look at the Guy Francis website for more details
Amazingly Guiness say that this record has never been attempted! Please share this information with as many friends or colleagues as possible and be a part of a unique world record - You'll be assisting in the fight against teenage cancer at the same time !
Yorkshire 3 peaks Doing it for Dads team
We mentioned a few months ago about a team of ladies planning to attempt the Yorkshire three peaks challenge to raise funds for a prostate cancer charity. Well, they did it ! Last Saturday saw Sarah's team successfully complete the challenge.
Alex, Jess, Kate, Ellie, Sarah, Sharan, Sammy
Only one causalty throughout the day - Kate's boots! Bizarrely the sole of one of Kate's boots decided to come off after crossing the 'boggy bit' following Pen Y Ghent. This caused Kate to miss the following two peaks on Saturday. Amazingly Kate acquired another pair of boots the following day and climbed Whernside and Ingleborough on her own!
They have so far raised about £4,000 for Prostate Action, a cancer charity doing pioneering work into the treatment of prostate cancer.
Three of the team suffered minor but painful injuries throughout the day but refused to give up. Amazing ladies and an amazing cause, well done all.
If you want more information or would like to make a donation please visit Sarah's Just Giving page.
Two new events for 2013
We've introduced two new events for 2013 but there'll be more to follow so keep visiting to see what we're up to ! The first two new events are:
The National 5 peaks challenge
If 3 peaks aren't enough for you try this one! The highest mountain in England, Scotland, wales, Ireland & Northern Ireland ! 40 miles walking and over 17,000 ft of climbing !
The Mountains of Mourne, Northern ireland. 15 summits in one go! The Mourne Wall is just that - a wall ! but one that stretches for 22 miles over 15 mountains in the Mourne range with about 9,000 ft of climbing !
Gift Vouchers now available
We now offer gift vouchers for any of our mountain challenges, walks or events. They make perfect presents for any occasion and are particularly suitable for when you've left things a little late! The recipient can also add to the value of the voucher if he/she so desires. Our vouchers are provided in a gift card to suit the occasion and can be redeemed up to a year after purchase. Contact us for further details or give us a call 01228 672978.
There's now only 282 Munro's - official!
Breaking news! There are officially now only 282 Munro's! Beinn a Chlaidheimh in Wester Ross is no longer a Munro and has been 'demoted' to Corbett status. The Munro Society had it re-measured in 2011 and the result was 913 metres and 96 centimetres - 44cm short of the magic 3,000ft (914.4m) The SMC have now accepted this, as has the Ordnance Survey.
Marriage proposal on Scafell Pike summit
This is the moment Neil proposed to Chris on the summit cairn of Scafell Pike. A perfect location to 'pop the question' but how do they top this for a wedding location?
Neil and Chris are from Consett in County Durham and climbed Scafell Pike today 24th August, in near perfect weather conditions. Congratulations to you both.
Denise & Helen complete the 3 peaks challenge for Mencap
Helen & Denise completed the three peaks challenge in August to raise funds for Mencap in memory of Rebecca, a friend and colleague who was tragically killed in a road traffic accident earlier this year. The funds raised are to go towards the Carlisle Mencap Grace Little Centre to support children with learning disabilities.
Hearing dogs for deaf people 3 peaks challenge
A group from the Midlands successfully completed the three peaks challenge this month. They were raising funds for hearing dogs for deaf people. Despite the forecast predicting violent thunderstorms and torrential rain they completed all 3 peaks in near perfect conditions! To see exactly what the 3 peaks challenge entails visit our 3 peaks challenge page.
Resources for Autism - Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge
The charity 'Resources for Autism' successfully completed the Yorkshire three peaks challenge on Saturday 28th July to raise funds for their work. A team of 7 managed to complete the route in just under 12 hours - despite atrocious weather conitions on Whernside.
The team literally ground to a halt in the notorious boggy area below Pen Y Ghent when one of the team became stuck in the bog and lost a boot! Fortunately the boot was recovered and the team went on to successfully complete the challenge in just under 12 hours.
Retrak Lake District challenge 2012
14th July - 22 participants in 5 teams took part in this year's Retrak Callenge in the Lake District. They had to canoe the entire length of Ullswater, climb Helvellyn via Striding Edge and mountain bike over the highest mountain pass in the district, Kirkstone Pass!
The winning team were Donna, Chris, Sean, Graham and James. They were presented with the trophy at the Inn on the Lake in Glenridding. The team who came last were presented with the 'Golden Boot' award!
All seemed to enjoy the pain! To find out more about the challenge take a look at our Viking Challenge page. To find out more about the incredible work that retrak do please visit their website at www.retrak.org
Team Doing it for Dad's
Sarah and a group of friends, all ladies, are taking on the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge later this year to raise funds for Prostate Action. It's a great cause and one that Sarah has a personal interest in. You can read Sarah's story and donate online if you wish to support her and her friends on this wothwhile cause.
Sandra's Challenge
Sandra and friends are attempting the Buttermere Round next month to raise funds for Hospice at Home and McMillan Cancer Care, two charities that provided valuable support when Sandra's husband, John was fighting his own battle with cancer. Sadly John passed away last year and Sandra is raising funds to repay some of the help and kindness that these two organisations provided during some difficult times. Read Sandra's story - you also can donate online if you wish to support Sandra's efforts.
3 peaks challenge to raise funds for respite centre
Denise Gosney and Helen Green from Cumbria are taking on a series of challenges including the three peaks challenge, to raise funds for a respite centre for children with learning and physical disabilities. The Grace Little Centre in Carlisle is owned and run by Carlisle Mencap. Read the full article in the Cumberland News. You can donate to their cause if you wish by visiting their online donation site at www.justgiving.com/razzamataz
They are training for the event - on Sunday they climbed Scafell Pike - the conditions were not good with winds in excess of 50mph and a wind chill on the summit of -15 degrees! Check out our 3 peaks challenge training page if you are planning to do the 3 peaks chllenge.