IT was the social event of the year for mountain enthusiasts as a new record number of more than 15,000 visitors came to Kendal to take part.

Running into its 17th year Kendal Mountain Festival (KMF) played host to a wide range of adventure filmmakers, speakers, outdoor athletes and luminaries of the climbing world.

People were able to filter in and out of the event and take part in many activities, from fell running up Scout Scar to kayaking with Lakeland Canoe Club and sitting back and listening to explorers and inspirational speakers about their adventures.

The Westmorland Gazette:

Film lovers were also spoilt for choice, from an entry of nearly 400 films, some of 90 were screened at the Brewery Arts Centre as part of the International Film Competition. With premieres of the films happening all around the world the contest has been deemed as the ‘Oscars of outdoor filmmaking.’

The winners of the competition were revealed at an awards ceremony, hosted by comedian and outdoor enthusiast Ed Byrne.

The director of KMF, Clive Allen, said that there was a record number of entries for certain events over the festival weekend such as the Adidas Terrex 10km trial run which welcomed more than 600 runners.

Three-time medal Tri-athlete champion Jonathan Brownlee was also present to start the race.

“This was genuinely our biggest, most ambitious Festival yet,” said Mr Allen.

“From across the UK, people were converging on Kendal for the outdoor world’s biggest and most influential event.”

The Westmorland Gazette: Other highlights of the event included the re-launched Literary Festival, art exhibitions, book launches and sports clothing brands, such as Rab and Mountain Equipment.

The Basecamp Village (BMC) at the Brewery Arts Centre was at the heart of the festival.

Along with a range of speakers the BMC was also celebrating the achievements of top British women climbers and mountaineers. The village was packed with a selection of outdoors brands offering demonstrations of their latest gear.

“Whatever your interest-climbing, walking, caving, paragliding, kayaking, skiing, biking- there was a special event for experts and armchair enthusiasts alike,” said Mr Allen.

“Part of our self-imposed remit is to inspire people, especially new audiences, to explore and enjoy the outdoors.”