On arrival at the campsite, we had no intention of faffing about setting up our homes for the night, and instead we got straight into finding our mates—including yet another Outsiders Store Photographer, Liam—so we could then check out the workshops being hosted off the bat.  

Nana Frank’s ‘Fells to Fabric’ workshop taught us how to naturally dye using leaves foraged nearby. We did some printing and squeezing and then handed our small fabric parcels back to Frank to steam until the evening. We collected these later on, unravelled them, and produced beautiful leafy prints.  

Afterwards with Cha-ology, we learned about Japanese tea ceremonies, types of teas and the importance of Japanese pottery and how the whole experience is guided by our five senses.  

Next, our small group split into two to attend a couple different nature walks hosted by Jeffrey Bowman and Miscellaneous Adventures. Whilst some learned about foraging, the rest of us were in Millican Dalton’s Cave with Jeffrey making some art with graphite – I’m sure there were some better attempts, but I was pretty chuffed with my efforts.  

Once we got back, it was time to be briefed about the next day’s events, accompanied by a traditional sake barrel smashing (Kagami Biraki), drinking some sake in our LTF Montbell mugs and eating a tasty Japanese dinner made by Forest Food Studio. The remainder of the evening was spent chatting, laughing and booting around a Jianzi. 

After sleeping the night headfirst down a hill, it was time to get ourselves ready for what we didn’t know would be a pretty challenging day ahead. As well as the usual fruit and sausage rolls, Chef Liam kindly cooked up some eggs and potato cakes to fuel us. In the end we had a little group of seven signed up to leave in the last wave of participants. 

We had a very scenic wander over to Lodore Jetty, everyone kitted up ready for action – except for Liam, who had nothing but the clothes on his back and an easy peeler in his pocket, making the rest of us seem like soft lads. One we arrived there; we’d be paddling 1.7km across Derwentwater.  

We got the seven of us in a six-man raft, suited up with paddles and floaty vests, and I got chucked in the luggage area, where I’d pretend guide the team across with firm leadership. My men rowed ferociously, battling huge waves as if we were Vikings invading Normandy. We came crashing ashore to High Brandlehow Jetty with immense speed and without any overboard casualties.  

Liam, disappointed to be dry I guess, chose to take a quick dip before we set off walking, re-emerging without his glasses, now somehow carrying even less belongings than his already minimalist get up. 

Once we’d gotten our stamps at the checkpoint, we were ready for the next stage, our 8km hike. Going up is always tougher than I think it’ll be and the weather ended up being way better than expected too, especially for September. Packing extra layers wasn’t necessary in the slightest as the sun beamed down on us. Although it made the climb harder, we really appreciated the vitamin D and clear skies.  

The route took us up Cat Bells, across Maiden Moor (our stamping checkpoint) and a bit of the way up High Spy. To keep cool, we utilised the streams along the path, splashing our faces and dunking our hats. Liam took a risky gulp too, but he is still kicking about, so it must’ve been pretty fresh. 

Heading down the hills back towards Hollows Farm, momentum threw us along and we couldn’t help but have a little run until we’d made our way back down to round / flat earth. One last stretch and we’d made it back to camp with grumbling bellies and sweaty backs. We dug into the ploughman’s lunch, taking the time to regroup and catch up with some of the other participants that were also having their lunch breaks.  

Once we’d had our fill, it was time to set off for the pedalling portion of the day. A 25km loop to the west of Derwentwater, past Swinside and Braithwaite before heading into Thornwaite and back down via Whinlatter Pass. 

Brandon and Alfie went to the workshop (my car boot) to get their bikes built, while I took the opportunity to use a rental hardtail that Montbell assisted organising with some local bike shops for the event. In true triathlon fashion, most of us had some kit changes; swapping trail shoes for some pedal appropriate Bedrock Clogs was a proven formula for cycling that Alfie, Brandon and I couldn’t ignore.   

The route involved a fair amount of time on the road—we’d hoped we’d be able to verge off on some technical diversions—but unfortunately the trails were too busy with hikers for us to squeeze through. Luckily this meant we’d stumble into another ice cream van at the top of this first climb past Derwentwater, before a fun descent through country lanes to an eventual left turn onto some gravel.  

The joy was short lived though as this gravel section into Whinlatter simply went up and up and up. I’d started at the front of the pack, but I could feel some others behind me... eagerly waiting for a chance to pass. Eventually they weaselled their way around, leaving me in the dust. Luckily as I looked back and saw a few mates hike-a-biking; deciding I wasn’t in any rush either, I followed suit and hiked up where it was too steep for my little legs to manage. It’s not a race… but my ego was still bruised.  

After hopping back on the saddle, it wasn’t long till we’d caught up with some other participants and the long awaited affogato station. A well-deserved treat at the top of this huge climb. From here it was time to loop back to the campsite following the same road along Derwentwater.  

On arrival back at the campsite with everyone else, there was a shared sense of accomplishment. Catching up and seeing how everyone had got on, we’d all had a great time and gotten lucky with the surprisingly sunny September weather.  

Last but not least, it was time to conclude the event with a big group photo before the majority shot off back home. Not in any rush, a few of us took the opportunity to freshen up in the nearby water. Maybe the coldest water I’ve ever been in, I spent the journey home with chattering teeth. But my regrets were forgotten as we pulled up into Manchester and had a scrummy cottage pie back at Brandon’s flat. What better way to finish up a weekend of outdoor activities? 

Big thanks to Montbell UK and everyone involved for hosting an amazing event. Can’t wait to have another go at it next year!