Fell fixers get into peak condition
14 June 2010
Pike O’Blisco, Langdale, 10 -14 July
Chances are, most of us would feel pretty pleased with ourselves if we walked a mile or two to the office carrying nothing heavier than a briefcase. But that's not a real walk to work - not for the National Trust’s 15 strong team of hardy fell fixers at any rate. They will be hiking up a tough fellside carrying their own camping gear to get to their 2,300ft high 'office'. Then - after doing a hard day's physical labour restoring footpaths - they'll be toughing it out wild camping on one of the Lake District's most spectacular fells.
The group is made up of volunteers and National Trust staff who are joining forces to tackle erosion of boggy, peaty areas on the summit of Pike O'Blisco in Langdale – a job that requires real commitment from those taking part.
“It's fantastic exercise and (weather permitting) promises amazing views, but it certainly won't be a picnic” says Paul Kear, the Trust’s Community Development Manager at High Wray Basecamp. "Volunteers and staff will be carrying their own camping gear and supplies up to the site. Whatever the weather, volunteers are guaranteed to get wet and dirty!"
“The work might be tough, but it's clearly addictive” adds Paul. “Many of the volunteers are returning for the third time. The combination of fresh air, lots of exercise and being part of a committed team builds great cameraderie. We already know that five of the people signed up for this year's event have been on our adventure holiday before – and we hope they’ll come back again in the future”.
Rob Clarke, the National Trust’s ‘Fix the Fells’ Community Warden at Basecamp, says “sleeping out on the hill is more practical when teams are working in remote locations, but more importantly, it gives a whole new dimension to their endeavours”.
Not walking down at the end of the day's work gives everyone a feeling of having the fells to themselves and watching sunrise and sunset - which from 2,000 feet up a mountain is a magical experience”.
"Staying near to the worksite builds a feeling of ownership of the work and helps strengthen the personal connection participants have with the area. They aren't just working there - they’re living there. It also gives us more time to talk to people 'out of hours' and for staff to share their love of the upland environment and what makes it such a special place."
The area the volunteers will be working on is becoming eroded due to the footfall of so many walkers trying to get across boggy areas on the summit. They will be creating a causeway of stepping stones for people to cross the area. Large stones from nearby have already been flown across to the site in preparation. It is also anticipated that some work will be done to stabilise the boggy area, to prevent the peat bog getting compacted and drying out.
The Fix the Fells adventure working holiday runs from July 10 – July 14. This particular holiday is fully booked but many other adventure holidays which offer the opportunity to carry out conservation work in beautiful locations are available by going to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays
