MOUNTAIN DAYS

Mountain days include hill walking, scrambling and mountaineering. It is expected that you will be fit enough to walk in the mountains for up to 6 hours, carrying a rucksack.  Good general fitness is recommended to walk uphill at a steady pace (3km/hr) - if unsure about your fitness levels, then enquire about booking a private day. 

 

WINTER DAYS

Winter is a harsher and tougher time in the mountains, often carrying heavier rucksacks.  A higher level of fitness is required as winter is a step up from the summer - the act of walking in snow, swinging an axe, kicking in with your boots are all actions that require a greater effort compared to the techniques of summer walking.  We will walk at a pace of around 3-4km/hr over the course of the day, and we will visit some areas of steeper terrain such as steep slopes or ridges. 

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ROCK CLIMBING

On our courses and guided days rock climbing requires a good fitness level to walk to the crags and cliffs and have the physical capability to climb once in these areas.

Some crags are valley crags and only require you to walk 10-20 minutes uphill to access them but our mountain venues may require you to walk for up to 2 hours before arrival, and then you will need to climb the route. 

Climbing isn't all about power and arm muscles though, good technique comes from the legs and footwork and we are hand to coach movement as much as possible. 

 

CANYONING

Canyoning requires moderate fitness levels; be able to walk uphill for 15/20 minutes at a steady pace and walk for up to an hour to reach some venues. This activity can be a test of balance, co-ordination and nerve on abseils, scrambles and jumps.  We do not require a strong swimming ability but it is desirable that you can swim. 

We will teach defensive swimming and provide you with a buoyancy aid but you will need to comfortable in a water environment. 

For the Esk Gorge, we have to walk for around 45 minutes on a valley track that can be rough and boggy. 

Bring along your sense of adventure and an open mind and we will accommodate and encourage you along the way! 

 

VIA FERRATA

Participants of the Via Ferrata should expect to encounter some uphill walking, some of which is steep with precipitous drops. It's all protected by safety cables and there is no time pressure on these sessions, meaning the uphill sections can be taken slowly if necessary - this is the benefit of booking with LDM; we create an encouraging environment and do not rush our participants because your day is private and/or low ratio. 

The main activity is climbing so a head for heights would be beneficial. 

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Please get in touch if you have any further queries regarding fitness levels for a specific activity.