Outdoor Adventures

My son and I spent a very informative and enjoyable day with Jill on the one day beginners navigation course. Our objective for the day was to learn how to more effectively utilise an OS map, to be able to identify features to find our way on tracks, paths and across open countryside, be able to better plan routes and estimate time to complete thereby enabling us to safely explore routes away from the well marked (popular) tourist routes - this was achieved and much more. Prior to the course we both considered ourselves responsibly prepared for walking in the high fells but we learnt so much more on the day in terms of reviewing appropriate weather information, equipment and safety. We will be returning in the spring to complete the immediate course and more. Highly recommend.

Just a brilliant day for all of us. This was the highlight of our holiday. We were all pushed and challenged to a thoroughly enjoyable extent as we trekked in our waterproofs up the flow in the Langdales, absolutely sodden! From climbing a roped rockface, to jumping full length into bubbling ghyll pools. The kids were totally energised and want to do it all again - so do Mum and Dad. Nick is a very calm professional who knew what the kids would be capable of and we felt more than safe in his hands. We'll be back.

The weekend was everything we hoped for and more... Day one was an excellent instructional introduction to multi pitch and Nick’s calm, patient and thorough approach was exactly what we needed. A full day learning all about rope and stance management, topped off with a lesson on abseiling out of trouble in the event of a storm or injury etc. Day two was quite simply an adventure of a lifetime I’ll never forget...not only was Nick enthusiastically happy to guide us up Troutdale Pinnacle but he kept a running commentary of instruction going the whole time, making sure we got the most out of our two days. I cannot recommend this company highly enough and would like to add an extra thanks to Jill for going above and beyond and searching out a climbing partner for me a few months back when I was temporarily partnerless... thanks again folks, loved every minute.

I had two day scrambling course with Nick which exceeded my expectations. Course covered all the things I wanted from this expierence and much more. We hiked to some thrilling scrambling spots in Langlade and covered all scrambling grades 1 - 3 with & without using ropes. Nick was very competent, patient and friendly. I learnt a lot in a short space of time. Nick knows well how to explain each part of the course so we could relate to it, covering background and the decision making process including risk assessment behind route finding, technical aspects of dealing with ropes/ scrambling techniques etc. Course was tailored perfectly to all participants covering theory and hands on practise. I can highly recommend Nick and the course to anybody that is looking for a thrill, gaining confidence in the mountains and scrambling at different levels. This course is definitely for somebody who wants to progress from just hiking.

Really great experience. Guide was incredibly experienced and motivated in spite of some poor weather. Would absolutely come back with these guys.

We had an intro to trad climbing day with Nick as our instructor. He was knowledgeable and encouraging, and explained all the equipment and techniques well which was great as we had never done trad climbing before. We had an amazing day! Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a fun activity in the lakes.

Decided to put a stop over in the Lake District to good use and brush up on my Navigation skills and I had an amazing day! Given the short notice of my decision Jill was very responsive and the bespoke course was spot on in terms of what I was looking for. The Coniston location was absolutely stunning, Nick is lovely - really relaxed and encouraging. I learned loads, and feel a lot more confident I could navigate off the hills in low cloud. A fantastic day all round and I would definitely do this again to break up my journey back home. Highly Recommend More Than Mountains!

Well what a fantastic weekend. I was a little apprehensive at first not knowing what to expect but I shouldn't haver worried, Jill pitched the course perfect to the groups abilities and I learnt a lot throughout the course. She was able to build on the skills I had and now I am more confident out in the hills. Someone who can teach, share their knowledge in an approachable fun way is rare, but Jill does it brilliantly. Would highly recommend and now looking forward to my next More Than Mountains course.

We had 2 separate multi-activity days with Nick and highly recommend him as a teacher and a guide. We are a family of 4- with two boys, 10 and 12 who enjoy indoor climbing and some outdoor activities. Nick took us to Scout Crag and Woden's Face and set up a mornings climbing at each. He was patient and knowledgeable, supportive and friendly. We all had a great time. The afternoons were in the water- Ghyll scrambling and waterfall climbing. Great fun and a bit of a challenge too. Highly recommended and good value too.

Outstandingly enjoyable 2 day course led by Jill, that had been gifted to me as a birthday present. There were 2 other participants and we worked as a small group on various challenges to get to and find various secret / hidden features in the landscape. Never have I been so pleased to see a sheepfold. And been so sure that it was the right one. It was well paced and required a lot of thinking, together with a little exercise. Jill provided just the right level of input when we needed it. Lots of very practical tips on how to get organised with map and compass. In future I will maybe continue to carry a gps but after the course I expect it to be left in the bottom of my rucksack switched off.

Our family had an introduction in Lead climbing with Nick. He was very patient and knew his stuff and we learnt a lot from this day with him. We thoroughly recommend More than Mountains and would use them again if we were in the area.

This is something I have been meaning to do for a long time and I don't know why I haven't done it sooner. After losing my way in the Howgill Fells using only a walk book, my wife booked me on this course. I was met by Jill from 'More than Mountains' and found her to be friendly with a great sense of humour and an excellent tutor. We headed off from Keswick and very soon Jill had me navigating between points on the OS map. I learned so much about all the symbols and information regarding footpaths, boundaries, open access land and much more. It was a very interesting day and gave me the confidence to plan a route myself, so hopefully no more getting lost in the Howgills!

A great way to get out and enjoy the Lake District and learn lots of new skills along the way. As indoor climbers, the beginners session was great for us as it was very much centred around our abilities, which allowed us to improve considerably throughout the day.This course was great value for money, with a small group size and tailored, expert advice. Jill and Nick are locals and extremely helpful and knowledgeable - I highly recommend using More than Mountains to gain experience in outdoor activities in the Lakes.

I booked Nick for the third time (which hopefully tells you how much we have enjoyed his work), for half a day of kids climbing and a full day out in the fells. The kids climbing day was very wet but Nick kept four kids (10,8,7,5) excited and interested climbing and scrambling in Borrowdale for an afternoon. For the full-day guided walk we headed up Helvellyn to tackle Striding Edge in snowy conditions. Nick was a fantastic guide/coach as we got the crampons and axes out to tackle a decent challenge.

My wife and I undertook the two day Intermediate Navigation course near Coniston. The course was led by Jill who proved to be an excellent leader throughout the two days. We were a little apprehensive at the start of the course but were quickly put at ease by Jill who was very friendly and quickly disarmed us of our fears. Over the two days we were taught a range of map and compass reading skills to enable us to plan routes and safely navigate in the mountains. Jill also provided us with invaluable tips advice for staying safe in the mountains, including what to do in an emergency. Whilst the subject matter of the course was serious, Jill managed to make it fun and informative at the same time and the two days passed very quickly. Undertaking the course has provided us with the confidence to safely navigate in difficult conditions and encouraged us to be more adventurous when planning our routes. We will certainly feel more confident as a result of the course. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this course to anyone and would be confident that any of the courses offered by More than Mountains would be similarly useful and provide excellent value for money.