MEETING an instructor at the bottom of Hodge Close, near Coniston, I was unsure what to expect from a day out scrambling and abseiling, however I took comfort in the fact that I would be with a small family which according to my past experiences usually meant a ‘scared mother’ and young boy - both of whom were bound to be slower than me.

My disappointment was hard to hide when within seconds I learned this was a family made up of soldiers and I would inevitably be the ‘slow one’.

Arriving at the base of Raven Crag the steep rocks, situated hundreds of feet above me, crystalised my inner feelings that this wasn’t going to be any normal stroll in the countryside.

Within minutes I was attached to a rope; scrambling to find a foot hole or hand grip to secure me from not falling down a fell.

I was cursing myself with every step I took in my very inappropriate footwear: ‘Why didn’t I get up that bit earlier to find my walking shoes? Why did I wear these ridiculously slippery pumps?’ I had to put those thoughts aside as we approached a looming rock with even less holes to propel myself up. There was nothing for it but to stick myself to the rock face and wriggle my way up anyway possible: knees, elbows - I had passed caring about being the only one unable to look elegant bouncing up the cliff face.

The instructor was very reassuring and kept me confident that my footwear and my less than stylish scramble was not a problem.

Once at the summit the views were phenomenal, the Lake District in the autumn in my opinion is the best time of year, a range of colours carpeted the ground and reflected off Coniston Water, definitely one of those picture perfect moments and a welcome respite after the steep climb.

We then made our way down the fell, witnessing hidden caves, streams, rivers and finally the quarry we were about to plunge down.

My instructor attached me to a rope, walked me to the edge of a 50-metre drop and told me to step backwards. Despite all my natural impulses screaming at me to stop, the 13-years-old soldier’s son had just achieved it without flinching so I was certainly going to give it a go.

I was assured that as I stepped back a little ledge would be there to stop my fall. I couldn’t find it and I clung to the top of the quarry dangling down while my legs desperately searched for this haven of ledge. I found it. But as soon as I felt fully safe perched on this slither of a rock my next instruction was to step back again.

A quick fall and I was suddenly being supported by the rope, hearing my trusty instructor’s voice telling me to spread my feet and bounce. I tried to bounce but my motion was minimal. I was slowly moving down the cliff face twirling on the way.

Before I knew it the grass was under my feet again and I was wondering why I had been so scared. It was simply a lot of fun.

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