1. Gorge walking has many names, Gill scrambling, Ghyll scrambling, gully bashing, stream walking, stream scrambling and stream walking. It is one of the most popular outdoor adventure activities that offer and one that people come back for time after time.

   Usually a wet activity, Gorge Walking basically consists of walking up or down a gorge, involving scrambling, perhaps a bit of swimming and some slides. Fairly obvious really. Except that mere words can't express the thrill of feeling your boots filling up with cold gill water. And absolutely nothing can prepare you for the feeling of falling in for the first time and getting your suit full as well. Add to that a shower in a small waterfall and you have the recipe for a very wet but very enjoyable activity.

   Gorge Walking is one of the most popular activities on offer from many adventure centres. This adventure is aimed at people, who want to experience the thrill and power of a natural gorge. It is like canyoning, but not so extreme and therefore suitable for families and children (5 and over). An excellent day and one which is guaranteed to have the kids talking about for years.

   Scramble through wild gorges, wade through mud, tackle different types of river crossing, abseil or try a Tyrolean rope slide into a rock pool, scurry up rocky waterfalls. No, it's not a Sunday stroll with aunt Maureen, but a wild day in a waterfall area with surprises guaranteed. Activities will change with river levels.

   The objective is to try and stay dry as long as possible, but if your clothes are still dry at the end of the day you must have missed something.

   Keep the gorge scramble as wet or as dry as you like as you follow one of many streams, becks and gorges. The only way to describe this activity is to say that it's like caving with the roof off, in the gorge, waterfall climbs, tricky rock traverses, rocky obstacles and plunge pool jumping are all a part of the fun. You won't believe how much fun gorge scrambling is until you've tried it!

   There are two different levels of gorge:

2. Gorges where a group can travel without using a rope but are involved in scrambling activities.

3. Gorges where students may have to wait as each member is roped up or down a rock climbing section.

Floating down a river (Aqua-Rando)

Safety

1. Before going any further, you should take a few notes on safety:

   All the sports on this site can be dangerous, but this is especially true of gorge-walking. The following safety precautions should always be taken:

2. Never attempt a gorge-walk on your own. You'll be slipping on the rocks all the way down, and it only takes one awkward slip to injure yourself. These gorges are fairly remote and certainly poorly populated. If you have an accident, there won't be anyone around to help you.

3. Always tell someone where you are going and what time you are expected back. And make sure they'll do something about it if you don't come back.

4. Always take a rope and know how to use it. On some occasions you may have to negotiate waterfalls etc. that will prevent you from retracing your steps. If you don't know the gorge, leave a rope at these places so that you can get back out. Even in gorges you do know, a rope may be necessary to negotiate certain waterfalls or other obstacles.

5. Never jump into a plunge pool without first checking it for depth and obstacles. Even gorges you know well can become clogged with fallen debris such as tree trunks. It is possible for such an obstacle to be invisible from above even if less than a foot underwater. One or more of you should carefully enter the plunge pool and check the depth. The whole group can join in if they like.

   These precautions should give you some idea of whats involved during a gorge walk. It's also useful to take a first aid kit with you. Some gorges are of course easier to negotiate and slightly safer than others. Some however require advanced abseiling techniques and guts to negotiate. Make sure you know what your letting yourself in for.

   
   Wear robust clothes.