Team Viking Challenge
Follow the footsteps of the Vikings who raided and eventually settled in the Lake District more than a thousand years ago.
This is a fun challenge event for teams of 4 or 5 but it will test your stamina and endurance. You need a reasonable level of fitness if you are to complete the challenge in the time allocated. Fancy dress is optional!
The Lake District was the scene of chaos during the period that saw many Viking invasions, with battles between warring 'kings' for control of the district. The top of Dunmail Raise on the main road north of Grasmere was the scene of a particularly bloody battle in 945 AD for control of the land now called Cumbria. The Norse King Dunmail, the last King of 'Cumbria', fought the united forces of Malcolm, the King of Scotland and Edmund, a Saxon King. Dunmail was defeated and slain there and Cumbria was handed to the Scots. Legend states that King Dunmail's crown was lost at the site of the battle.
Your task is to recover King Dunmail's crown and return to your longboats (ok, rafted canoes!) before you are overtaken by other Viking hordes competing for the same prize!
Canoeing, mountain climbing and mountain biking in one challenge - In teams of 4 or 5 you'll complete your task by:
- canoeing the entire length of Ullswater (13km - 8 miles)
- climbing two mountain passes on mountain bikes (32km - 20 miles)
- climbing Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in the Lake District (10km - 6 miles with 838metres - 2,750ft of ascent)
All in under 12 hours!
The challenge has three stages:
Stage 1
Starting from Pooley Bridge at the Northern end of Ullswater, you'll paddle the entire length of the lake (the 2nd longest in the District) in canoe rafts, eventually reaching the southern end of the lake at Glenridding.
Stage 2
From Glenridding you'll start the mountain bike stage - a climb over Kirkstone Pass, the highest mountain pass in the District, before descending to the opposite valley and then ascending a second pass, Dunmail raise. You'll recover King Dunmail's crown from the summit of Dunmail Raise and then descend to Thirlmere below the Western slopes of Helvellyn and the start of stage 3.
Stage 3
At Thirlmere you'll swap your mountain bikes for walking boots and rucksacks and begin the climb of Helvellyn. The Western approaches to Helvellyn summit offer the steepest but most direct routes up the mountain. Upon arrival at the summit of Helvellyn you then descend to the opposite valley via Swirral Edge or Striding Edge before arriving back at Glenridding.
You'll be able to rest and re-fuel at the end of each stage before continuing to the next. Teams are timed for each stage and the clock doesn't stop until the last team member arrives at the end of the stage. At the end of the event the timings for the stages are added together and the winning team is announced.
We'll provide all necessary equipment including safety items such as first aid kits, personal buoyancy aids, radio's etc. Also:
- Experienced staff and mountain guides with first aid qualification
- Food and drinks for the challenge
- A support/safety vehicle and support staff throughout the event
- Transport from an agreed pick-up location to the start of the challenge and return
- A photographic record of the event on CD
This challenge makes a great charity fund raising or team building event so why not get a group of colleagues, friends, or family together and see how tough it is for yourselves!
For further details and prices please contact us:
To book tel: 07584 177506
e-mail: enquiries@bigwalks.com