LiAD Recces

LiAD Recces - March to September, dates below.

Train with the official safety team of the excellent Lakes in A Day event. If you’re not aware of this fantastic adventure staged by our friends at Durty Events check out the details of the race itself here.

If you want to learn more about our recces, read on…

OVERVIEW

NAV4 provide the official Lakes in A Day recees, having worked in partnership with the event since its creation.  We also provide the Mountain Safety Team for the event. With our Mountain Safety Team members on Blencathra, Hallsfell Ridge, Helvellyn and Grisedale Tarn, We know the event inside out. 

The LiAD Recces are a programme of seven dates spread throughout the year, in a logical progression, based on distance, height gain and potential weather conditions.   Whether you sign up for the complete set, or just select one or two key ones we will get you skilled up and prepared for October.  

Saturday 15th March – Ambleside to Cartmel

This is the final section of the course and the distance covered will be around 22 miles, this section is the relatively flatter easier trail terrain which many people finish in the dark. It’s easy navigation generally, but also easy to mess up. Book Now

Saturday 10th May – Caldbeck to Threlkeld

This day covers the first section of the route, the terrain is rough remote grassy trod.  A large part of this section is free route choice and therefore not covered by your gpx.  Learn the best way to navigate this section, how to 'ford' the unpredictable river and the best way to ascend Blencathra, and descend down Hallsfell Ridge. It’s only 12 miles but packs in 4000′ ascent over rough slow ground. Book Now

Saturday 19th July – Helvellyn to Ambleside

This covers the majority of the middle section of the course including Helvellyn, Nethermost and Dollywagen Pike, the Grisedale Tarn descent (cut-off/opt out site) before the steep ascent of Fairfield and the all important opportunity to nail the navigation blackspot that is Fairfield to Ambleside. The route is approximately 15miles in total with 5500′ ascent. *You will access the Helvellyn range via Sticks Pass, thus enabling us more time to focus on the route ahead.  Many athletes find this is the area where they start to question their ability to complete the event, learn where the safest and best places are to descend early and return to civilisation. Book Now

*Note: the Threlkeld to Sticks Pass section will feature in the ‘LiAD: Skills on The Dodds’ session.

Saturday 23rd August – LiAD: Skills on The Dodds

This is a recce / skills day based from Threlkeld and going up Clough Head and Great Dodd.  We’ll have more time to focus on all the skills you need to complete LiAD successfully, utilising the excellent navigational area of The Dodds and towards Sticks Pass.  Hence it completes the event recce chain. Book Now

Sunday 24th August – Caldbeck to Threlkeld

This day will be the same as 11th May. We offer a second day due to demand, plus you can make a weekend of it with Saturday’s ‘LiAD: Skills on The Dodds’. Book Now

Monday 25th August – Hallsfell Skills Sessions

There are two sessions available on this day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  These sessions are specifically aimed at those wishing to brush up on their skills over the challenging terrain of Hallsfell Ridge.  These sessions will start and finish in Threlkeld. Book Now

Saturday 20th September – Helvellyn to Ambleside

This is the final recce of the series, covering Helvellyn, Fairfield and down to Ambleside. Total distance is around 11 miles with about 6000’feet of ascent. It covers the most of Helvellyn range from Sticks Pass, to Helvellyn, down to the crucial cut-off at Grisedale Hause. Learn how to Leave the Fairfield summit in the right direction (a well known navigation blackspot) and nail the long steady runnable descent to Ambleside.

The start point for this session will be Legburthwaite near Thirlmere to access Sticks Pass via the ‘Stanah Stairlift’.  The reasons for this are threefold.   Firstly, the slight reduction in distance and ascent gives us more time to learn more about the section, including this ascent route as an escape route for the event day.  It also allows us to make use of the public service bus (it’s only £2), another plus on different levels.  Book Now

Our Recce Format

Each recce day is guided by members of the NAV4 Team who have amassed countless mountain hours and vast experience of relevant skills and safety.  We always have two or more experienced and qualified recce leaders, and ensures a good ratio of clients / leaders, allowing groups to split into natural pace groups.  Free minibus transport is also provided from the finish of the recce to the start point on the Ambleside to Cartmel and Caldbeck to Threlkeld recces.  For the Helvellyn to Ambleside we use the excellent '555' public bus service. Skills on The Dodds is a circular session.

The team are happy to impart their knowledge along with hints and tips on how to best cover each section of the event route.  These days are an excellent opportunity to get to know the route, get hints on the best line for you and to brush up on your navigation skills. This is also the perfect opportunity to try out your kit, figure out what you need, how you will carry it and when to use/not use the items you have with you.

All recce days will include lots of information about the event, suitable clothing gear and shoe choices, what to eat and drink, navigation and route advice, event strategy and training methods.  Places are limited as the recce ratio of guide to participant is 1:8 maximum so you are ensured good value and the right pace.