Families & Friends

Mere Mountains offers a wide range of activities and adventures in the Lake district, we think have something that will suit nearly everyone, (but if we don’t…… we’ll link you to someone who has!.)

Most of our activities take place within a 30 minute drive of Kendal and all but caving are generally within a 30 minute drive of the Windermere/Ambleside area. Some activity sites can be reached by bus or bike, please ask.

We have been providing activities in the Lake District for all kinds of clients for over 15 years and are licensed by AALS (the HSE Adventurous Activities Licensing  Service) to provide an extensive range of  adventurous activities. Our qualifications and experience allow us to offer sessions tailored to teambuilding or other educational/training outcomes and advanced technical ‘trips and skills’ for those who want to do more with their leisure time.

     
   Adventure :   on the rocks

Adventure on the Rocks

Climbing   Technical experts, we offer a number of options including the ‘real thing’ learning on one of South Lakeland’s scenic outcrops or trying longer multi-pitch mountain routes in the heart of the Lake District. We also have a mobile climbing tower which can be taken to hotels, schools and events. For the cooler months we use Lakeland’s well developed indoor climbing walls.  Session approx  2.5hrs

Abseiling   A popular and thrilling activity – walking off a cliff backwards and living to tell the tale.  We have the skill to give you the best experience with sites ranging from small easy angled slabs for youngsters to steeper longer drops for the daring. Session approx  2hrs

Mega Abseiling For the thrill seeker we can offer a memorable Lakeland experience abseiling inot a spectacular slate quarry. After an initial  training abseil (60ft) the adventure continues with a 120ft descent  down the main face of  the quarry, the last part of which is freehanging ( our feet will not touch the rock). Minimum age 16. Session approx 3.5hrs

Sea Cliff Traversing   A gem for younger adventurers. Scrambling along seaside limestone promontory on the Cartmel Lakeland Peninsula, is a great introduction to the pastime - set your  owm challenge level; staying out of the water (or not) exploring hte little cave etc. Session approx 2hrs

Rock Scrambling  Climbing without a rope - sounds daft? It's not a bad as it sounds - scambling up bolders and rocky slabs of easy grade rock can be great fun. Sutable for  those who feel confident on steep slopes, scrambling challenges can generally be climbed or walked round (and we do carry a rope!). A great way to asscend one of the small craggy knolls on the edges of the Lakeland valleys.  Session approx 3hrs

Adventure on the Water

Canoeing Tandem open canoes are a great way to get out and about on the water and are popular with anyone wanting a canoeing rather than swimming experience! For longer trips, greater stability and speed we can catamaran the boats, and even add a sail. We use mainly Windermere and Coniston lakes but also have a mobile fleet that can go anywhere

Kayaking  Single seat closed cockpit boats popular with those who are not afraid to fall in – although this is generally and optional extra and not a necessity!. Great for youth groups, families, and adults who like a bit of fun. Trips along the lakeshore, games, paddle skills, safety, rescue and star tests.

Raft Building and Races This is a very popular activity with those who enjoy some competetive light hearted fun. Build your own barrel and log craft,  then test it's sea-worthyness, will it hold your crew or dunk them?.A short voyage along the lakeshore to develop your crew and then it's a head-to-head race to the finish line, best team wins of course! Popular with all ages it needs at least 4 to paddle a raft, (more if children).

Wild Canoeing Journey quietly along the shoreline of the lake and you will see a range of wildlife; in addition to water foul and the circling buzzards; avoiding the ‘lesser spotted tourist’ greatly increases your chances of seeing squirrels and deer in the woods along the lakeshore. Cooking a simple backwoods meal or brewing up afternoon tea is also an option.

Canoe Journey with Bushcraft Learn the basics of how to light a fire and some simple cooking techniques then paddle off across the lake and create your own ‘wilderness’ experience – are you skilled enough to produce a hot drink on a open fire and serve it with your own freshly made scones and jam?  A swim from the island rocks is also a popular part of this activity. Normal session 4 hours, suitable for fire-aware children or over 9’s.

White Water Canoeing In the wetter months there are opertunites for easy white water river descents. Ideal for those who have tried canoeing before or those who like a challenge. Grade 1 & 2 rivers are used with genrally straight forward rapids and shoots. The choice of venue will depend on the river levels. For groups with inexperienced members we use open canoes, more experienced groups sometimes opt for kayaks.

Adventure in the Gorge

Gorge Walking  or Ghyll Scrambling) Call it what you will it is definatly NOT a walk!  A great way to experience the Lakeland scenery  scrambling up a spectacular mountain beck :  traverse  deep pools, climb small wateralls, swim and jump in when you feel like it - it is a wet activity!  Water levels obviously affect this activity and the fun is adjuisted accordingly. Session approx 2hrs

Mountain Ghyll Scrambling For those who would prefer a slightly drier option we recommend a scramble up a mountian ghyll;  while it will still involve wet feet - it is not the total immersion experience of gorge walking or canyoning!  Mountain standard footwear/jackets will be needed for walking down the path afterwards.  Also a good introduction for those wanting to become self sufficient in this activity. Session approx 3hrs or all day

Canyoning Not for the faint hearted. Descend spectacular gorges in the most adventurous fashion. Once commited you  jump or abseil down a series of waterfalls into deep plunge pools, wetsuits, helmets, harnesses and buoyancy aids provided. The  trips are half day (the Lakes is not the Alps!) and are best done with an abseiling session first so more waterfalls can be included.  Minimum age generally 16.  In extreem high water a suitably adventurous alternative will be offered. Full day best but a shorter session can be done in 3hrs.

.Aquaseiling Descend some spectacular waterfalls in style,. Abseiling through clear flowing cascades is not for the timid. The full trip is an all day affair and is only for adults. Half day session suitable for teenagers and adults.

Stream Scrambling For younger families we recommend a woodland stream scramble. Working together you can boulder-hop your way to the top, with small cascades and bridges to go under there is plenty of oppertunity to get wet- for those who want to!.  Session approx 2 hrs

Adventure in the Trees

Bushcraft and Backwoods Skills We run these activities at a variety of levels. Popular is the basic introduction: putting up a shelter, starting a fire with flint/steel, cooking up some basic grub (pizza/pancakes level not bush tucker!). For the more adventurous we recommend a whole day of bushcraft skills culminating in producing a meal on an open fire eating with utensils made in the woods. Sleeping out experiences also available.

High and Low Ropes Courses Thrills to suit all levels of adventure seeker. High ropes elements come in a number of forms (all require life line belays supervised by a qualified instructor);  tree climbs,  high all aboard (get 4 people onto a tiny platform at the top of a pole),  pamper pole/leap of faith(climb the pole then jump off into space - and let your harness and safety system catch you), crate stack (can you get the stack to 20ft before they collapse - requires teamwork and some initiative) ,

Tyrolean Pond Crossing A kind of horizontal abseiling, but if your team don't keep the tension on..... someone is going to get wet! A popular bit of fun. Needs to be  combined with another woodland activity like: low ropes, tree climb, crate stack, archery or orienteering to make a half day session

Orienteering How competetive are you? Great fun for groups or families. Learn the tricks then navigate round the woodland course (look out for deer and squirrels) various levels of challenge to suit all abilities plas a highly competetive score event to really get the adrenalin pumping

Archery Target archery, who fancies they could be Robin Hood? Needs to be  combined with another woodland activity like: low ropes, high ropes. tree climb tyrolean  or orienteering to make a half day session.

Zip Wire Have you got what it takes to takeoff on the High Zipwre? Best combined with another woodland activity to make a half day.  Special event? Why not include an indulgent chocolate fondue while you watch your friends fly the wire!

Adventure in the Hills
Mountain Days Let the experts take you to interesting places by interesting routes.For beigners who want a flavour of the mountains, or for expereinced walkers who want to tackle something a bit more adventurous like.Jacks Rake. For anyone who wants to get off the beaten track and see the best of the Lakedistrict in the company of a knowlegeble expert.  You can also develop your navigation skills or learn to use that GPS!
Mountain Scrambles This has got to be the best way to get off the beaten track and definatly the most interesting way to ascend a mountain.  Choose either an introduction to scrambling and pick up some great tips to help you gain the confidence to become independant in the moutains, or choose a guided trip up a classic scramble in the safe hands of an expereinced Mountiain Instructor. (Not suitable for young children)
Special Interest Valley Walks The lakes isn't all mountains, there are valleys, woodland glades and secret tarns, all crammed with interesting plants, animals and archeology . Whether it's Coniston Copper Mines and industrial archeology or Beatrix Potter and the wooded slopes above Windermere, there is something of interest for everyone
Winter Walks There is very little as special as looking across fells covered in snow, it is a scene as old as time, yet pristine and untouched. Need to learn how to make best use of your ice axe and crampons?  Want to get up high when the world is white? Call us to find out what fells are in condition and what will suit you.

Adventure Underground

Caving Cascades and caverns in spectacular settings. Just a few miles from the edge of Lake District, spreading into the Dales, lies the largest most spectacular caving region of the UK. For a truly memorable experience we suggest a trip underground.  Enjoy walking down the water worn steam passageways, negotiating series of small cascades to reach passages with spectacular formations including gower pools, stalagtites and stalagmites. For the more daring there are waterfalls to descend and narrow passages to explore, all in the safe hands of an expert.

Potholing For those with some 'previous'  in caving; we offer a range of  vertical trips of varying difficulty, including spectacular waterfall abseils, short ladder climbs and small twisty passages.

Lakeland Slate Quarry Experience Suitable for families and those who would like an adventurous walk through some short relatively dry passages in the spectacular setting of Cathedral Quarry. For the more adventurous this can be combined with an abseil session.