Grades and Safety Information

Whatever your level of experience the Cumberland Ale Keswick Mountain Festival in May 2008 will offer you a wide range of activities. Learn something new or brush up on existing skills. Take part and enjoy the great outdoors.

The Cumberland Ale Keswick Mountain Festival Guided Walk programme will include a wide variety of walks. For most you can expect a full day on the fells whilst others are just a few hours giving you time to enjoy other activities as well. All of the walks are led by local mountain guides who know and love this area. Many of the walks will be led by experts with particular interests such as geology, history or conservation. Even if you have walked here for years you might like to join one of these to find out more about an area you already know and love. Unless specifically stated, dogs on leads will be welcome on our walks, but will not usually be allowed on other events.

Scrambling Grades
Grade 1 Scramble - Requires the use of hands as well as feet and a good heights. A straight forward scramble with little or no route finding difficulty or technical climbing. However great care should be taken to avoid a slip.

Grade 2 Scramble - More difficult and committing scrambling requiring some route finding skill. A rope may be useful for safety.

Grade 3 Scramble – A more serious outing which may involve difficult moves and exposed situations. A rope would be used by all but the experienced.

Guided Walks
Keswick is a wonderful base for fell walking with a wide range of walks in delightful countryside. Whether you enjoy gentle valley walks through woods and by rivers and lakes, exploring quiet valleys and ridges or appreciate the challenge of the higher peaks there are walks here for you. In the middle of May the hills will be bursting with new life - little black Herdwick lambs, blue bells and other wild flowers, trees bursting with fresh green leaves.

Grading of Walks
D - mainly level walking of up to 3 miles/5 km at a leisurely pace. wear flat comfortable shoes but boots will not normally be necessary.

C - a walk on the lower fells, along valleys and lakeshores with fairly gentle inclines. footpaths may be rough and wet so boots are advisable.

B - a more energetic walk of up to 8 miles/13 km with about 2000ft ascent. significant ascents and descents will be involved and footpaths will frequently be rough, rocky or wet. walking boots essential.

A - a strenuous walk with steep ascents and descents over rough and rocky ground. up to 9 miles/ 14.5km with 3000 feet of ascent. a good level of fitness is required to enjoy your day out. walking boots essential.

AA - a long and strenuous walk with over 3000ft of ascent. Good fitness and stamina are necessary to enjoy your day out. Walking boots essential.

NB - Resist the temptation to over estimate your fitness and abilities. It is much better to enjoy a walk on the lower fells and be raring to go out again on the morrow than to have to push yourself so hard that the following morning sees you exhausted, blistered and crawling down stairs backwards! Remember that the Lake District is hilly and no amount of gym workouts get you fit for climbing hills. The best you can do is always use the stairs rather than the lift!
Consider also the weakest members of the group. The route taken will always be governed by the weakest member and the best days out are when everyone is of a similar fitness and ability. You won't enjoy it if you are always at the back - everyone else gets a rest except you! That being said, all grade B walks should be well within the scope of any reasonably fit person keen enough to have invested in a pair of boots!However all leaders reserve the right to refuse to take a walker whom they consider will be unable to safely complete the planned route.

What to wear and what to take on walks
The weather in May is very unpredictable. We can have hot sunny days - don't forget your sunblock, or it can be cold and windly, particularly up high - on with the hat, gloves and spare fleece. The best advice is to look at the weather forecast and be prepared. Wear clothes that are comfortable and dry quickly. In essence this means avoiding cotton which easily gets wet - from rain or sweat - and is slow to dry, and instead choosing wicking artificial fibres partnered by breathable waterproofs.

Kit list for walks
• Spare clothing - fleece, hat and gloves
• Waterproof jacket and overtrousers
• Food - packed lunch and high energy nibbles
• Drink - plenty of water as well as other hot an dcold drinks
• Basic first aid kit - plasters, pain killers etc

Safety on the Fells
The weather in the Lake District can change rapidly. Whether you are climbing a mountain or tackling one of the lower fells it is essential that you check the forecast before you set off and keep an eye on the weather whilst you are out. Wear good quality hiking boots and several thin layers of clothing. Always tell someone where you are going. Plan your route before you set off giving yourself plenty of time to get back before dark. Be aware that you cannot always get a mobile phone signal whilst out on the hills.

Don't forget to take with you:
* Packed lunch and high energy nibbles
* Drink - plenty of water as well as other hot and cold drinks
* Waterproof jacket and over trousers
* A map and compass
* A small first aid kit, plasters, painkillers etc.
* Spare warm clothing, fleece, hat and gloves

Follow the Country Code
* Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work
* Guard against all risk of fire
* Fasten all gates
* Keep your dog under close control
* Keep to public paths across farmland
* Use gates and stiles
* To cross fences, hedges and walls
* Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone
* Take your litter home
* Help to keep all water clean
* Protect wildlife, plants and trees
* Take special care on country roads
* Make no unnecessary noise

The Mountain Rescue teams in the Lake District, are staffed by unpaid volunteers, attend many call-outs each year. As registered charities they rely on voluntary contributions to continue their good work. Visit the websites of the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team and the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team to see how you can help.