Arc'teryx Lakeland Revival 2017
/Ideas by Chris, words by Anne
The Arc’teryx Lakeland Revival is now in its fourth year, and each time it has been a little bit different to the year before. It is the brainchild of Arc’teryx athlete Katy Whittaker, and the idea started after chatting to outdoor shop staff in the Lake District. They were saddened to see how many of the less popular trad routes were becoming overgrown and in danger of becoming lost completely. A quick brainstorm resulted in the idea of a revival festival, and the first Lakeland Revival list was published online, with freebies in return for climbing and cleaning the routes on the list.
(That's me on the right of the Needle, trying to get out of the shot. The photo was taken by Jordan Manley - we wrote about working with him in several blog posts in 2015. You can see the original photo in this post)
Each year Katy takes on board feedback from participants, shop staff and event partners, and develops the revival to make it bigger and better for the following year. In 2017 the focus is on reviving and celebrating the spirit of Lakeland climbing, rather than trying to revive just the esoteric routes. Ron Kenyon and friends from the Fell & Rock Climbing Club have suggested the route lists, and there are a variety of themes including scrambles, hidden classics, Lakeland gems, and for an extra challenge, the enchainements.
Want to take part? Here's how:
1. Pick up your route card at George Fisher or Needle Sports in Keswick, or The Climber’s Shop in Ambleside (routes can also be viewed online)
Part of the 2017 route card
