Blog – Page 3 – Steve Banks Outdoors

Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning course

This course covers the critical issues to keep you safe on the sea using sea kayaks, sit on tops and paddleboards. Steve ran the CN&TP course this week for both recreational and qualification seeking sea paddlers. He covered weather, tides, currents, different coastlines, trip planning, navigation, buoyage, pilotage and more. It’s an extremely useful day for anyone going out on the sea in paddlesport craft. It’s also a prerequisite for anyone seeking sea kayak leadership qualifications.

If you’re keen to paddle on the sea and are looking to do so as safely as possible, then this is an ideal course for you. Steve advertises regular dates, though do get in touch to discuss your needs; he’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|October 1st, 2023|Sea Kayak, SUP|Comments Off

Cave Leader Group Day assssment

Steve was out this week running a BCA Cave Leader Group Day assessment in the Yorkshire Dales. Aspirant Cave Leaders (the award for leading in mainly horizontal caves with some easy scrambling) have to attend a two day training course before presenting for a Core Skills assessment day to check their knowledge, personal skills and equipment use. They then have to attend a Group Day assessment in which, as the name implies, they lead their own group on a caving trip with an assessor observing. Assessors are looking for safe, enjoyable and active days out which encourage participants to do more – the candidate this week certainly delivered on those.

If you’re interested in trying caving, caving training or assessment at any level, then Steve will be pleased to hear from you and happy to support you. Please get in touch on 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

Steve has regular training courses for both Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader advertised on the website; he can run assessment days on demand as required.

By Steve|October 1st, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Barf & Lord’s Seat

We had a great day out in the heat on Barf, Lord’s Seat and in Whinlatter Forest. Following a brief to avoid the crowds and to provide something rocky, steep and adventurous we scaled Barf straight up from Thornthwaite. This route is not for the faint hearted or physically unfit (not an issue in our case) as it comprises steep scree and exposed crags. It did though, meet the requirements and a grand day out was had by all.

Those driving along the A66 past Thornthwaite will likely have noticed the large white rock high on the side of Barf. Local folklore has it that in 1783 the Bishop of Derry, who was staying in the Swan Inn at the foot of Barf, wagered he could ride his horse directly up to the summit. Unfortunately, the horse fell or died part way up (some versions say the bishop also was killed, though records show he died in Italy in 1803 of gout). As a memorial to these exploits or, perhaps, the horse, the staff of the inn (and latterly the village residents) painted the prominent rock on the route white, a tradition which has endured to this day. There is a smaller white painted rock at the foot of the route known as The [Bishop’s] Clerk. Whatever the truth of the various tales, Barf does provide a route to its summit which is exciting and interesting and which does go past The Clerk and The Bishop enroute.

If you’d like Steve’s assistance with your mountain adventures please get in touch on 07796 213817 or steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk.

By Steve|September 7th, 2023|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain, natural history|Comments Off

Summer caving in the Dales

We had a great day out caving in the Dales recently: Steve took two enthusiastic young cavers out on a vertical trip in Gavel Pot as far as Glasfurd’s Chamber. A super time was had by all.

If you’d like to try caving (no water, crawling, tight spaces, mud or cold necessary!) please give Steve a call to discuss your needs. He’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help. 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|September 7th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Butterfly Bonanza

A walk through the woods in the current hot weather demonstrated the boost provided to butterflies conferred by the current hot and calm weather. Amongst the myriad Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Small Whites we spotted this, somewhat bedraggled, Speckled Wood male (pararge aegeria). You’ll notice that he’s missing his right antennae and his wings are damaged. This could just be as a result of age related physical wear and tear, and/or due to the aerial battles which the males engage in. The Lake District is the normal northermost point for this species, though there are some small isolated populations in lowland Scotland. Their range extends over 700km North to South and comprises four subspecies – all slightly different and adapted to more or less sunlight and warmth. For example, the subspecies in the Lakes has the largest wings to aid thermoregulation in our more varied and cooler climes. Of course, man-made climate change is likely to have a significant impact on all butterfly species: in the case of the Speckled Wood, it may extend its permanent range northwards.

If you are keen on natural history and would like to engage with and learn more about the environment around you, Steve will be pleased to help. See the webpages and call him on 07796 213817 or email steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk to discuss your needs.

By Steve|September 7th, 2023|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, natural history|Comments Off

Caving trip to Spain

For the first time since the Covid pandemic struck, Steve is able to offer his week long caving trip in Northern Spain. This trip is for any suitably fit individual (caver or non-caver) interested in day trips into some of Spain’s spectacular caverns. You do not need to be a caver to take part in this trip as it comprises walking and scrambling in generally large (huge!) spaces with spectacular formations. The few parts of the systems which require ascending and descending short ropes can easily be managed for everyone by Steve. The trip will be based in Ramales de la Vittoria and cover Monday to Friday, 16th to 20th October.

If your interest is piqued by this adventure, please get in touch with Steve to discuss the trip in more detail and to find out whether it’s for you: steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

By Steve|July 22nd, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Cave Leader assessment

Steve finished off a busy week of caving with a Cave Leader assessment. The candidate took a group of children on a grand adventure day out in excellent weather. A super time was enjoyed by all, including the candidate!

If you need any support to work towards your caving qualifications or would like to be a client on a caving assessment day, get in touch with Steve on steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or 07796 213817. He’ll do his best to help.

By Steve|July 22nd, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Vertical Cave Leader training, Yorkshire Dales

Steve ran a Vertical Cave Leader training course covering personal SRT, rigging for personal progression, rigging for group progression and the management of incidents in a vertical cave context. A very enjoyable and useful course for those wishing to develop their personal skills and knowledge as well as for those who wish to go on to take the assessment for this qualification.

If you are keen to improve your personal or professional caving Steve will be pleased to help. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or on 07796 213817 and he’ll do his best to assist.

By Steve|July 21st, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Cave Leader training

Steve ran a two day Cave Leader training course in the Yorkshire Dales based near Ingleton. As usual, Steve ran the days entirely outdoors so as to cover all the theory and practical in as hands on and engaging a manner as possible.

If you are interested in furthering your caving knowledge or developing your skills Steve will be pleased to help. He runs regular Cave Leader and Vertical Cave Leader training and assessment courses. Get in touch at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk and 07796 213817

By Steve|July 16th, 2023|Cave|Comments Off

Ronas Voe

https://www.stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk/sea-kayak/trips-and-expeditions/

Towards the end of our two week adventure the wind had picked up from the South West making the West coast less appealing. Steve still had plenty of options and chose Ronas Voe for a day of cave, stack and cliff exploration; indeed, these were the biggest cliffs we encountered on the entire trip. We followed the voe out to the point where the red granite, and the most impressive coastline, changed to volcanic rocks. Following lunch with a spectacular view northwards past Lang Ayre to Uyea, we wended our way back, enjoying the completely different perspective of the coast provided by the different direction of travel. What a day!

steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

07796 213817

By Steve|July 1st, 2023|Sea Kayak|Comments Off