A drab day in May

A very drab day in May saw Phil (L), Col and I (Phil G) meet up in the lakes for a canyoning Trip down the Upper Sprint in Longsleddale (Cumbria) just as soon as the Covid restrictions allowed.

After a catchup chat, we prepped the rope bags and group emergency kit, and walked in to the start.

“practice climbing back up the guide rope. Both Phil’s thought that this was not such a good idea and bravely ran away.”

The upper sprint has a few nice relatively small abseils with rigging in place for most or natural anchors for the rest.

The main falls can be run as either a Y hang behind the curtain of the falls, river left or as a guided abseil from river right to left. The canyon allows easy egress from either bank and as such we used this feature to workshop both routes. Col even decided that it would be a good opportunity to practice climbing back up the guide rope. Both Phil’s thought that this was not such a good idea and bravely ran away.

Good Company

As always, the trip was as much about the company as the technical challenge and an enjoyable trip was had by all.

But with the weather deteriorating, time getting on and everyone feeling the cold, a group decision was taken to exit the canyon and return to the cars.