Coleman Exponent Open Challenge Series 2008

richieev

Each year we organise a number of training courses around the Wasdale area, and on Scafell Pike itself.

The courses are split into two days over a weekend, and consist of one day doing some basic navigation - both in the classroom and out in the surrounding area - and one day simply walking Scafell Pike from Wasdale, paying careful attention to the navigation problems encountered.

Some people opt to make a full weekend of it and attend both the navigation day on Saturday, then the Scafell Pike walk on Sunday - whereas others just turn up Sunday to familiarise themselves with the route up and down Scafell Pike, which many teams will encounter in the dark on the challenge itself..!

The dates for the first open training weekend in 2008 will be:

Saturday 19th April 2008: Navigation & Three Peaks Planning

Sunday 20th April 2008: Scafell Pike from Wasdale Walk

More details to follow, but if you are interested, please let me know.

Richie..

richieev · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:51 pm Post subject: Beware the weather...!

2006 Training Day - April, after some very mild weather conditions on our first training weekend, we encountered the following weather.... It was great fun though, and a chance to see how good the group shelters are Very Happy

_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:41 pm Post subject:

Saturday 19th April 2008: Navigation & Three Peaks Planning

Cost per person: £60

Course limit: 10 people

Course Itinerary:

1000: Meet at 'The Green', Wasdale. Travel short distance to indoor 'classroom'
1015: Navigation theory & Three Peaks Planning
1200: Short orienteering course, Wasdale valley
1300 - 1400: Lunch at Wasdale (not provided)
1400: Navigation around the Scafell Massif
2000: End of course at the Wasdale Head Inn.

This course includes:

MLTE qualified instructor
Indoor 'classroom' for theory work
Coffee breaks whilst in 'classroom'
Laminated A4 map of navigation area
Laminated A4 map of orienteering course
Sport Ident orienteering controls and timekeeping
Challenge handouts and planning information
Use of VHF radio safety comms
Use of emergency group shelters

Not included:

Lunch at Wasdale
Drinks after the course at Wasdale Head Inn
Any accommodation

Notes:

This Navigation and Three Peaks Planning Day is designed to help team leaders or event organisers plan a safe and successful Three Peaks Challenge. However, the level of navigation will be very basic, and will be specifically aimed at known navigational problems which may be encountered on a Three Peaks Challenge. It is assumed that people attending will have little previous navigational experience.

All navigation will use established tracks, footpaths and bridleways.

Theory work will be less than 2 hours, so please do not expect this course to enable you to safely navigate to the summit of K2... Wink

_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:56 pm Post subject:

Sunday 20th April 2008: Scafell Pike ascent from Wasdale

Cost per person: £35

Walk limit: 30 people

Walk Itinerary:

1000: Meet at 'The Green', Wasdale. Short safety briefing & kit check.
1020: Depart Wasdale for Scafell Pike summit.
1330: Reach summit, lunch on top.
1700: Return to Wasdale. Drinks at Wasdale Head Inn.

This walk includes:

MLTE qualified instructor (1 per 8 walkers)
Laminated A4 map of navigation area
Laminated Beacon Guide licenced by Harvey Maps.
Use of VHF radio safety comms
Use of emergency group shelters

Not included:

Any food or drinks
Drinks after the course at Wasdale Head Inn
Any accommodation

Notes:

This walk will be at slow pace - not a test of fitness and endurance. We will stop at each point of navigational importance, and all walkers will be encouraged to shadow our navigation.

You will have plenty of opportunity to discuss the route with our mountain guides, and we will make full use of emergency equipment on the hill.

If we reach full capacity (as usual) we will split into smaller groups of 6-8 when on the mountain.
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:11 pm Post subject:

Getting to Wasdale

Many people underestimate just how long it will take you to get to Wasdale. It's a very long way... It will take you at least 1.5 hours from either J36/M6 (Milnthorpe), J40/M6 (Penrith), or any or the Carlisle junctions.

For this reason, we recommend that you try to organise some local accommodation to make the most of your training day or weekend. I'll add some links shortly.

You should approach Wasdale from the main A595 right around the coast. More direct routes are possible, but these are mostly single track roads, and progress is painfully slow.

From the north, do not exit the A595 until Gosforth, from the south, stay on the A595 until Holmrook.

The 'Green' at Wasdale is located here:

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.4659&lon=-3.2551&scale=25000&icon=x

_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:46 pm Post subject:

How to book a Training Day place...

Booking forms are now available online in .pdf format. Please print off a booking form, fill in the required details, and post the form with a cheque to the address shown.

Please also print off the Walkers Kit List, as it's important that you bring/wear all of the kit required for the mountains in April..!

Places will be available shortly on our eBay shop, if you wish to pay via Paypal (ie, credit/debit card). However, you will still need to post a booking form to me.

If you wish to attend both days, please print off both booking forms but just fill in the Wasdale Walk then staple them together..!

Wasdale Training Day: Navigation - 19th April 2008
http://www.merseyventure.com/pdf/wasdalenav08.pdf

Wasdale Training Day: Scafell Pike Walk - 20th April 2008
http://www.merseyventure.com/pdf/wasdaleday08.pdf

Walkers Equipment List 2008
http://www.merseyventure.com/pdf/wasdalekit08.pdf

Merseyventure eBay Shop (for credit card payment)
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Merseyventure-Adventure-Challenges
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:53 pm Post subject:

Local Accommodation

Wasdale is particularly tricky to get to, and can take a lot longer than expected, especially if you get stuck behind a wagon. We recommend that if possible, you book some accommodation to ease the travelling in the morning, and then perhaps stay that evening too.

There are two campsites close-by, as well as some self-catering cottages, B&B's and hotels. These should be relatively inexpensive due to the time of season.

I'll add links to some places we know of in the 'Accommodation' section of the forum.

Early booking is a good idea..!
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

smithc · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

Hi,

Are you going to be running any more training weekends other than April in 2008 as I have just decided this is to be my challenge of a lifetime and as I am aming to complete my challenge in 2009 Arpil 08 is too early for me as i ahve a lot of training to do first.!

richieev · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:48 am Post subject:

Hi, we do organise training weekends every April, so there will be another in 2009. Unfortunately our first challenge events start the following weekend, and generally we don't get another free weekend until around October - when the short daylight hours and less predictable weather make training days a bit awkward.

However, if you have a full year to prepare, then sort out a weekend at Wasdale and take the time to get to know the area. A number of groups will walk Scafell Pike in the morning, then scale it again in the dark, which is great training.

Good luck,

Richie..
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:16 am Post subject:

Although this event is scheduled for April 2008 (some 5 months away), we are starting to reach full capacity on both days.

If you are thinking about joining us, then reserve your place now..!

We hate to turn people away, so don't delay - book today..!
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

richieev · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:29 am Post subject:

Due to the popularity of this course, we have now completely filled the first set of available places, and have now doubled the amount of places available.

This means that the navigation day may run in a slightly different order because the indoor accommodation is limited, but it will still be a great day..!

Once again - don't delay if you want to attend.
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

samantha burbidge · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

Can you tell me if there are any places left on the Wasdale training day and the walk up Scafell on the following day. I would like to book a place on each of the days if there are any left.

richieev · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:59 am Post subject:

Hi Samantha,

No problem with places. Just fill in and send off the entry forms.

Look forward to seeing you,

Richie..
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm

jhimsworth · Joined: 09 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

Good afternoon Richie could you possibly let me know of any future dates for this course and how to go about booking, I am part of a group hoping to do the challenge in September and although I've done a lot of walking I haven't navigated before and would like to learn.

Many thanks Jackie

richieev · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Jackie,

Thanks for the message. Unfortunately we won't be able to run anymore 'open' Navigation or Training Days in 2008 as we are fully booked up with other events.

However, if you search 'mountain navigation courses' on Google, you are bound to find a provider that is local to you..!

Good luck,

Richie..
_________________
Regards, Richie

www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm