The Lake District Classic Rock Challenge

Is this the course for me?

You are very comfortable seconding VS, and you are able to do long mountain days.

What level of fitness do I need?

Fitness level 3: you exercise regularly at a higher level, and you are able to push hard for extended periods. You can do a long 15-mile day in the mountains, and you can do this over consecutive days.

What does the course cover?

The original Lakes Classic Rock challenge was devised as a running and climbing adventure, with the aim of linking all fifteen Lake District rock climbs in Ken Wilson’s book, Classic Rock - on foot, unsupported, all in under 24 hours. The climbers carried all their climbing kit and food, and went without sleep. We’ve adapted this for mere mortals into different levels of challenge, by adding in transport for some sections, and, more importantly, sleep. 

The Classic Rock Challenge can be undertaken in different ways to suit your level of fitness and time available: 

A. As individual days fitted in to suit your schedule.

B. Over four days:

• as a single four-day trip - for the very fit and motivated. This is a really significant challenge, not to be underestimated. Think the Cuillin Ridge on Skye, the Matterhorn in Switzerland - and then some.

• as two two-day slots - the same itinerary as the four-day trip, but allowing for rest between the two modules

C. Over six days:

• as a single six-day trip - still a great challenge but giving more time

• as three two-day slots

• as two three-day slots

Download a detailed programme showing the four-day and six-day options 

Read an article about the first woman to complete the challenge in under twenty four hours.

What's the maximum ratio?

1:2

What dates are available?

You choose the date, and we tailor the programme for you. Available dates are shown in the Climbing & Mountaineering in the Lake District section on the calendar.

How much will it cost, what about transport, and what do I need to bring?

Please check out the Essential Info for the Lake District page.

What do our clients say about us?

It was great to be back on the rock yesterday and I loved the day - your guiding and encouragement was hugely appreciated. Sure, I will see you again soon.
Tim Bishop, June 2021

The programme for the Lakeland Classics is simple - you start at the top of the list and finish at the bottom.......or is it? From the start, the weather didn't play ball and when we'd planned a number of specific routes over a couple day the conditions just weren't there to even consider putting your rock shoes on. But as ever, Chris was resourceful in using the time to tick off other objectives and even jumping in the van and heading to other parts of the country where it wasn't raining and we could tick off a few classics elsewhere! When the conditions were right, the biggest problem was keeping up with Chris as he simply wanted to squeeze out every inch of the day from dawn till dusk....making for some very long but rewarding days! Although we've now ticked off the Lakeland classics (and moved onto all the classics with Chris that are slightly further afield) and have a huge sense of achievement to say 'I've done it', the one thing I wasn't expecting is how the adventure has opened my eyes to so many new areas of the lake district that I didn't know existed! The expression 'as one door closes another two open' was so true but in this case it was 3,4,5 doors or every route. I can't recommend the Lakeland Classics with Chris enough - each route has something that makes it a 'classic' and I guarantee you'll be climbing with a grin! The only problem is working out what to do next once you've finished!
Tom Hiley, September 2021

The programme was perfectly pitched to my ability. I felt challenged throughout, trusted and looked after in both a professional and very human manner. It felt like a very positive start to my Classic Rock project. Chris’s diary allowing I would very much like to come back at points during the summer to continue. The quality of guiding was exceptional with input on ‘movement’ right from the first step out of the car park which was a real added bonus. It was great to be joined by Alex on the first day as part of his professional development; he made really helpful comments during the climbs and was also good fun. I found Chris’s climbing instruction very thoughtful and well timed, being pitched to enable in the moment improvement without overloading - this related to actual climbing movement and also the technical aspects of belay construction & rope work. The technical climbing input on the more benign boulders in the valley was also a real bonus - providing a more detailed explanation of good technique.
Richard Flint, March 2022

Whilst Kirsten and I clearly missed Chris, thank you for arranging for us to be guided by Al. You can tell Chris and Al have climbed and worked together a lot. Al was excellent and we had a really great four days. Still got five classic rock climbs to do, so we are going to have to come back soon to finish them off.
Tim Bishop, June 2023