Adventure Weekend in the Lake District

If South Wales wasn't cold enough, this past weekend Paul and I participated in the Butler Study Abroad Adventure Weekend in The Lake District. For those of you who have no idea where that it, its about 30 miles south of Scotland. With a name like The Lake District, you can anticipate it being a wet place. In fact, Keswick, the town we were staying in, is know for being the wettest area in England. Great get away I know. But seriously, it was great. Just seeing some of the other study abroad students for the first time since our London orientation would have been enough for a fun weekend. In addition to being reunited with fellow Butler students, we had a weekend filled with activities ranging from the nerve-racking via ferrata to less intimidating casual walk to local cottages around town. Sadly, Paul and I were the only ones to sign up for the day long hike to the top of Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England. I still don't get it. How did no one else want to do that? Anyways, we got put into the groups for gorge scrambling and via ferrata for the first day. You're probably asking yourself, what in god's name is gorge scrambling and via ferrata? Well to start, gorge scrambling is basically walking against the current of a river (gorge). This was our first activity of the day. At the risk of getting washed away or drowning, and the fact that I would need both hands for support, Paul was unable to participate in this activity. As any activity involving a body of rushing water starts, we first got on our wetsuits, over suits, helmets and boots. Previously going caving, I was already use to this rather uncomfortable assemble. The expedition began slowly as we each got acclimated to the bitter cold water. Over small waterfalls we climbed until we got to various pool areas. Our objectives were to jump in, swim to the waterfall, kiss the rock under the cascading water and swim back. Needless to say, mission accomplished. We then moved on to some higher climbs until our instructor saw fit to turn around. Our final task, which was deemed optional, was to jump off a bridge probably no higher than 20ft. Yet again, mission accomplished. Upon our return, we took off our freezing cold kit and slipped into some warmer clothes to get ready for our next event. Before I move on to describing via ferrata, I want to make a shout out to Mr. Shane Hunt, who while swimming in one of the small pools, lost his boots and managed only to find 1, but continued and finished the activity with just a sock on his right foot. Major man points.
Right, so via ferrata. Completely different from our previous adventure, via ferrata is simply scaling the side of a mountain while attached to a cable. Now the fact that Paul had yet to attempt any activity was getting rather annoying. Therefore we decided to throw away any fear of him falling hundreds of feet and never being seen again, and have him join us. With Paul tucked tightly in my backpack we attached our carabinas to the cable, and started our climb. Again, we started off slowly so people could get the hang of clipping and unclipping to the cable, but after awhile, we were on our way. Of course, to make things easier for the people today, there are iron rods protruding out from the mountainside to step on, but I couldn't imagine doing this back in the day with nothing but rope and bare hands. Knowing we were in no real danger as long as we stayed attached to the cable, the climb was sociable and easygoing. After the more technical section, we walked through some old mine tunnels and climbed up some steeper rock face until the top was finally in sight. Once at the top, we stopped for a quick snack and pictures of the valley and then headed back down. Oh, and we walked down, so it was much more relaxing. After we returned to Castlerigg Manor, our retreat center, we had dinner and the staff put together a Halloween themed trivia competition. Sadly, my team came in second, but we did win best pumpkin carving all thanks to our carving extraordinaire Amy Flynn. Sunday was a lot less hectic. Anyone who didn't want to go on a easy half day hike around Keswick could walk around town until it was time to leave. Paul and I choose the hike. It wasn't so much of a hike as a walk around the banks of the lakes, but it was still beautiful. With the mountainous valley in background and leaves' colors fully changed, I couldn't help but think of what it must be like in New England at this time. Tear. Sadly, before we knew it, we were off again back to Oxford. Naturally, reality set back in and we all realized we had work do, so after a quick good-bye, exchanging of numbers, and of course a thank you to the Butler Staff, we went our separate ways.