After attending my first KMF last year, I was excited to go again in 2024 as it was so much fun!
This time I had booked a super cute cottage in the high street of Kendal so I didn't have to do as much driving. I shared the beautiful 'Quirky Cottage' with the lovely Phillipa, fellow OS Champ and Adventure Queen.
Thursday 21 November 2024
Festival Opening Ceremony
Last year was a fun intro to the festival by dancing through the streets of Kendal. So I went along again this year to the opening ceremony. Myself and lots of other Adventure Queens joined the parade behind Drum Nation and alongside stilt walkers. It was then followed by Christmas carols and the ‘Switch On’ countdown when the parade arrived at Market Place.
The Below Zero Session - presented by Montane
After the opening ceremony (and a yummy pizza!) I went along to this session at the Brewery Arts - Theatre. I went with some other Adventure Queens Sue and Shilpa.
Speakers were:
Aspiring polar explorer Geneviève Brown who is on a mission to become the first person from the island of Aruba, and the first unassisted black woman, to ski both the North and South Poles.
Jenny Tough, an endurance athlete who's best known for running and cycling in some of world's most challenging events. Last winter Jenny took part in the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra, an ultra-race for runners, bikers, and skiers through the heart of Lapland, deep in frigid northern Sweden.
Ed Salisbury, Will Tucker and Jon Moy from the Last Ride Project, an ambitious aim to become the first people to climb and ski the tallest mountain on each of the seven continents: from Kilimanjaro in Africa, via Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, to a nail-biting finale on Everest. Underpinning this epic ski expedition is an environmental message as Ed, Will and Jon will likely be the last people to ever ski the Seven Summits, as the glaciers found on these mountains are melting at an unprecedented rate.
Friday 22 November 2024
Arc’Teryx Cold Water Swim with Gilly McArthur
On Friday morning, at Lake Windemere, I was honoured to join qualified cold water coach Gilly McArthur along with RLSS Lifeguards Fay and Andy Tennet for this invigorating dip in England’s largest lake. We were guided through how cold water and connection to green and blue spaces, in a natural space can be hugely beneficial for wellbeing, connection and play.
Gilly is a qualified swim coach, lifeguard and rock climber. She is part of a UK wide team running NHS trials around cold water to help alleviate depression and anxiety. As an keen ice, cold water swimmer and mental health advocate, it was great to meet Gilly who is a Red Paddle Co Ambassador like myself. It was also amazing to meet extreme ice miler Becca Harvey, and we had the awesome photo taken (see above), of Red ambassadors me, Jo, Gilly, Becca and Gee!
Adventure Queens x komoot Community Hike
After the swim and a quick change I went on the Adventure Queens community hike. Meeting outside the Brewery Arts Centre at the komoot van, we met up and went on a guided hike up to Scout Scar.
This route was around 5.5 miles and took approx 3.5 hours. Hikers were each gifted a komoot offline maps Region Bundle for Cumbria worth £8.99, for free, to help navigate.
There was an optional £5 charge for those who wanted to donate. This year the chosen charity was Mountain Rescue England and Wales.
Head Outside Awards
I was pleased to attend these awards in the yeti yurt. I was honoured this year to be asked to help choose the Wellbeing Warrior Winner.
An amazing part of last year's Festival was the fact that the Adventure Queens won the Change Maker Award in the Head Outside Awards! I was honoured to collect it on their behalf with Nicola and speak about my Grant adventure and what the group does.
These awards look to shine a spotlight on the individuals, organisations and communities who make a difference to others. The awards were created to share stories to inspire and connect as much as they are a celebration of the incredible work people are doing.
Saturday 23 November 2024
On the Saturday morning I had intended to go along to another exciting swim; Balance Between the Waves with Passenger, but Storm Bert arrived and I couldn't make it. I had a wonderful lay in in my cosy cottage which was fab and much needed!
The Outdoor Swimming Session
On Saturday I went to Kendal Town Hall - Assembly Room to the Outdoor Swimming Session.
Host Ella Foote shared her infectious enthusiasm for outdoor swimming and was joined on stage by some incredible swimmers sharing their stories. It was incredibly inspirational and I was excited to meet Ella afterwards.
I was also so excited to meet up for coffee with Kirsty, my Editor from Vertebrate Publishing. I can't wait for next year's swim adventures!
Kendal Mountain Festival 2024 - you were awesome!
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