Cumbria, near Coniston

[*Big Beast*]

We are putting together a weekend at an out of the way spot in Cumbria, looking at teaching some basic bush craft, fire lighting, shelter building,etc. Along those lines anyway, with some map/compass skills, orienteering at night, eating what we catch/shoot if anybody would be interested in joining in/helping out.
There is a £5.00 fee for camping but that is for as long you wish to stay per tent. There is a stream, and open fire cooking is not a problem, no living wood is to be cut for fires or shelters, but there is plenty of blow-down stuff.

 

[rancid badger]

We are putting together a weekend at an out of the way spot in Cumbria, looking at teaching some basic bush craft, fire lighting, shelter building,etc. Along those lines anyway, with some map/compass skills, orienteering at night, eating what we catch/shoot if anybody would be interested in joining in/helping out.
There is a £5.00 fee for camping but that is for as long you wish to stay per tent. There is a stream, and open fire cooking is not a problem, no living wood is to be cut for fires or shelters, but there is plenty of blow-down stuff.

when is it and are you on the lakeshore?
R.B.

 

[Wayland]

Sounds interesting...

 

[*Big Beast*]

The site is part of a disused quarry, we camp in a clearing in the silver birches, the views are unbelievable, plenty to do walking wise, tunnels to see, some history of the slate quarry and examples of what was produced.There are plenty of rabbits/grey squirrels about, loads of mushrooms/fungi if you know what your doing, there`s moss, bracken, etc, for shelter roofing &bed making. Birch sap to tap into in the spring, and there`s even a cave used for getting hitched(married)
Coniston village is about 3/4 miles on foot, mobile phones get no signal, and sat` nav` gets its self lost, but it`s a great place, if your brave you can bathe,swim in the quarry or the victorian tarn. The quarry is well know as a scuba diving site to, if you google Hodge Close you`ll find it, and there`s pic`s & write ups.
you need to ring the owner to camp/stay over as he`s had a lot of bother from idiots,etc, and as you would expect, it is a leave no trace camp site, it`s not on the lake shore, it`s pretty high up really.

 

[Wayland]

 

[*Big Beast*]

that it bud, well that`s the quarry the divers use

 

[Wayland]

Know it well.

Which part were you thinking of using?

 

[*Big Beast*]

try this link for more pic`s
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z312/thetazbabe/backwoods camping/

 

[*Big Beast*]

Know it well.

Which part were you thinking of using?

it`s down near the divers car park, off to the right

 

[Bernie Garland]

Stunning photo Gary,

Bernie

 

[*Big Beast*]

and we sometimes take along a half pig & spit roast it over the fire, depends on numbers, but it`s a bit like cooking a wild boar in the old days lol.

 

[Wayland]

Stunning photo Gary,

Bernie

Thanks, it was one of my first digital shots a few years back.

 

[EdS]

sounds interesting - any dates yet

 

[Shewie]

and we sometimes take along a half pig & spit roast it over the fire, depends on numbers, but it`s a bit like cooking a wild boar in the old days lol.

Count me in BB, I`ll bring the apple sauce

 

[morch]

I'm interested, sounds like a good spot.

Lovely photo too Gary

Dave

 

[*Big Beast*]

we haven`t set a date yet but thinking of spring when the kids are off school, we have a lot of events to get through in November/December, having said that, i`m not frightened of Jan`/Feb/March camping.

 

[*Big Beast*]

Hodge is also great for climbers, there`s always people acting like mountain goats at Hodge, fascinating to watch, i also know of a few hidden places for climbers that do not get used very often as they are well guarded secrets.

 

[Prawnster]

I'd be interested in this. Any problem bringing a six year old?

 

[*Big Beast*]

I'd be interested in this. Any problem bringing a six year old?

no, we have regular trips and kids as young as 3 go up there and love it, they never seem to get bored, although they do ware themselves out & end up in bed early lol. bless em

 

[LazySod]

Very interesting, Im a definate 'maybe'.