Lakes Activity Week: Descent into Lakelands secret quarries

Suitable for adrenaline junkies, explorers, and those with an appreciation of hidden gems deep in the Lake District, this is a day of exploration into the slate history of Lakeland. Historically owned by Beatrix Potter, these quarries are some of the most awe inspiring places in Cumbria. For one day only, linked with the Lake District Activity Week, you have the opportunity to go through the old slate mine tunnels and abseil 50m into the quarry itself.

We will travel in convoy from Stickle Ghyll Car Park to allow lift sharing. To start with, a 20 minute walk will take us to one of the two quarries where you can take in some of the slate mining history and explore the dark tunnels created to transport slate out of the main chambers. We then return to the car park for lunch before taking on an abseil into our second quarry at a height of approximately 50 metres. To finish off the day, we would then explore some of the other mine tunnels and descend into the other areas of the quarry next to its 30m deep lake. Some areas do include passage through thigh depth water on the last part of the day, so a change of clothes and a towel is advisable!

This is a full day activity with sections of walking over difficult terrain with challenging elements. 

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IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend. 

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who has recently tested positive for Covid-19, is asked not to attend.

As a BMC Affiliate member, Outdoorlads draws your attention to the fact that climbing/abseiling is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death. You should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for your own actions and involvement.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not necessarily qualified, do not need to be qualified, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as ‘technical experts’ but are amateur climbers with some experience and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

Cover image: Hodge Close Quarry by Sophie Pearce (thirdeyetraveller.com) - Image used with permission from Sophie directly.

Image 1: Cathedral Quarry (with the red lady) by Sophie Pearce (thirdeyetraveller.com) - Image used with permission from Sophie directly.

Image 2: Hodge Close Quarry (with the red lady) by Sophie Pearce (thirdeyetraveller.com) - Image used with permission from Sophie directly.

Image 3: Simon Percy (2022)

Image 4: Simon Percy (2022)

Image 5: Hodge Close Quarry by Sophie Pearce (thirdeyetraveller.com) - Image used with permission from Sophie directly.

Image 6: "Hodge close quarry" by tony stanley is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Image 7: Simon Percy (2022)

Image 8: Simon Percy (2022)

Image 9: Simon Percy (2022)

Image 10: Simon Percy (2022)