The Wasdale Challenge

3 Days

Price from: £299.00

Experience the real Lake District in this brand new mountain challenge event...

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Overview
Itinerary
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This challenge offers a demanding mountaineering excursion over two days based in arguably the most stunning valley in the Lake District. It includes eight summits set amidst the majestic backdrop of Wastwater and Wasdale Head and offers spectacular vistas from some of the quieter routes in the Central Lakeland Fells.

Highlights
No driving between peaks
Beautiful valley location
Cheaper than the 3 Peaks
Great teambuilding potential
Brand new challenge event

The Wasdale Challenge has been purpose-designed by the Activus Outdoors team; who are sensitive to the environmental issues surrounding the National 3 Peaks event. It has been structured so as to minimise environmental impact on an already over-burdened valley; whereby the challenge is undertaken almost entirely on foot with optional rail transfer from Oxenholme Station and also offers a tangible benefit to the local community with income for accommodation providers based in Wasdale.

This challenge is a natural step up and progression from our one day challenges and offers an inspiring contrast to our popular 3 Peaks event which includes a mandatory 10 hours transit time between the respective peaks. Best done in the warmer summer months with maximum daylight hours it is ideally suited for small groups of similar fitness or alternatively, it can also be structured as a larger scale corporate team building and/or charity fundraising event.

This event is demanding and places significant strain on the body, often walking on rough ground with steep ascents and descents over a two day timeframe: It is therefore not suitable for groups with a wide range of physical fitness and is ideally suited to those involved in regular exercise and/or sports activities with a good level of fitness.

Alternatively, it may also be possible for persons of average fitness to participate; however, in such cases we would recommend regular cardio-vascular exercise for a minimum 4-6 month period to build up stamina prior to the event.

Activity Information

Length: 30 km
Ascent: 3074 metres
Grade: Demanding/strenuous
8 Summits: Illgill Head, Scafell, Scafell Pike, Lingmell, Pillar, Looking Stead, Kirkfell and Great Gable
Target time: 15 hours

As part of your preparation training for a challenge of this nature we can organise a training weekend in the Lake District. This is especially beneficial for those who may already have a reasonable level of fitness, but lack previous mountain walking experience.

Accommodation

Accommodation is limited around Wasdale where the lack of commercial development is part of the valley's everlasting appeal; as a result advance booking is essential for this event. However, with advance notice there are sufficient accommodation options to run a small to medium size challenge including a few local guest houses, the Wasdale Youth Hostel or the famous Wasdale Head Inn. For further information about accommodation options please visit the following websites:

Itinerary

Day 1	Upon arrival in the Lake District transfer to your accommodation in Wasdale followed by a challenge briefing (usually after your evening meal). Ideally, to minimise environmental impact, we recommend that groups travel together by rail to Oxenholme Station and we can organise return transfers at start/end of the challenge.
Day 2	After an early breakfast we start the challenge at the south western end of Wastwater taking the following route: Leg 1: Woodhow via Whin Rigg to Illgill Head Leg 2: Illgill Head via Burnmoor Tarn to Scafell Leg 3: Scafell via Foxes Tarn and Mickledore Col to Scafell Pike Leg 4: Scafell Pike via Lingmell Col to Lingmell finishing at the car park adjacent Wasdale Church Length: 16 km / Ascent: 1660 metres / Target Time: 8 hours
Day 3	After another early breakfast we recommence the challenge starting out from the Wasdale Head Inn taking the following route: Leg 1: Wasdale Head Inn via Mosedale Beck and Windy Gap to Pillar Leg 2: Pillar to Looking Stead and Kirkfell Leg 3: Kirkfell to Great Gable descending to the stretcher box above Styhead Tarn and picking up the path back to Wasdale and your finish point at the Wasdale Head Inn. Transfer to Oxenholme Station at end of challenge, arriving by 7.00pm. Alternatively, we can transfer you after breakfast the following day arriving by 10.00am after a much deserved celebration night in Wasdale. Length: 14 km / Ascent: 1414 metres / Target Time: 7 hours

Dates and Prices Info

Price is based on hostel accommodation (dinner, bed and breakfast) or guest house (bed and breakfast) subject to availability on specified dates for group size 8. However, we can provide specific costings for larger groups staying at either the Wasdale Head Inn or Brackenclose on receipt of your booking request.

The dates on which we intend to run this challenge are shown below. However, we may also be able to offer this event during weekdays on alternative dates - please advise your preferred dates when you forward your booking request.

What's Included?

Full event planning and client liaison
Experienced Mountaineering Instructors ratio 1:8 staff:client
2 night’s guest house (Bed and breakfast) or hostel accommodation (Dinner, bed and breakfast)
Driver/support guide
2-way radio communication
Use of head torches and trekking poles as required
High energy food and drinks during the event
Big discount on outdoor clothing and equipment
Photographic highlights of your challenge on CD

Not Included

Transport to and from the Lake District
Optional return transfer from Oxenholme Rail Station to Wasdale
Optional 3rd night accommodation
Optional Hog roast and/or BBQ at end of challenge

Ask Activus

If you have any questions about this activity please do not hesitate to ask.