Everything Awesome

The Peak District has over the past decade become a huge success, if you gauge success by enabling more access to the countryside, or by the increased income levels tourism brings to the area.

Unfortunately this has created some issues that could have been avoided. Much more traffic use and roadside parking.
Rather than create additional car parks, give farmers planning permission to allow parking on their land, or developing a working park and ride system, the answer has been to restrict parking.

The latest being the Fox House pub in Hathersage. Now this is a location i use frequently, i start and stop MTB courses here, and my clients often park in the large carpark.
I encourage this, insisting that at the end of the course, or the end of the day we put around £50 over the bar for food and drinks, We often excede this.
Now there are to be ANPR cameras on that carpark, i fear my clients will park elsewhere, the pub will ultimately lose out and we all lose a facility.

I don’t have answers but prohibition rarely succeeds long term.

Weaseling is an outdoor activity that blends rock scrambling, above-ground caving, and parkour. Participants navigate through mazes of gritstone boulders, squeeze through narrow tunnels, and leap across rocky gaps without the need for ropes or harnesses. It is a highly popular and accessible adventure for all ages and fitness levels in the Peak District. 

Top Weaseling Locations

The dramatic, weathered gritstone edges of the Peak District offer the perfect natural playgrounds for weaseling.

• Higger Tor: Located just outside Hathersage (a short 15-minute drive from Sheffield), this is the most famous weaseling spot in the region. It features massive jumbles of boulders and tight squeeze-throughs like the “womb”.
• The Roaches: Situated near Leek in the southwestern Peak District, this dramatic ridge offers incredible rocky mazes and tunnel networks ideal for scrambling.
• Burbage Valley: Just south of Higger Tor, the valley is scattered with perfect natural rock features, making it a safe, scenic location favored by guided groups.

Tips for Your Trip

• What to wear: Wear sturdy trainers or walking shoes with good grip and older layers you won’t mind getting dirty or scraped on the rock.
• Safety & Routes: All obstacles are strictly optional; if a tunnel looks too small, there is almost always an easy way to scramble around it.
• Self-guided vs. Guided: While popular routes at Higger Tor are easy to explore on your own, Everything AWesome offer half-day and full-day courses to help you find the best hidden tunnels. You can book introductory scrambling and weaseling experiences directly through us here at Everything Awesome

Described as bouldering, in wellies, in the rain.

Caving (also known as spelunking in the US or potholing in the UK) is the recreational pastime of exploring wild, non-commercial cave systems. Unlike a casual tour of a well-lit show cave with concrete pathways, true caving takes you into a raw, pitch-black subterranean environment where you rely entirely on your own gear, skill, and nerve.

It is part exploration, part athletic challenge, and part science.

What the Experience is Actually Like

• Absolute Darkness and Silence: Once you move past the “twilight zone” (the cave entrance), the darkness is absolute. If you turn off your headlamp, you cannot see your hand an inch from your face. Sound behaves strangely—sometimes muffled by mud, other times amplified by echoing rock walls.
• Physical Variety: A single cave system can require a massive mix of physical movements. You might find yourself walking through a chamber the size of a cathedral, crawling on your stomach through a muddy tube, squeezing sideways through a narrow fissure, or wading through an icy underground river.
• Constant Environment: Deep caves stay the same temperature year-round, typically reflecting the average annual temperature of the region above (often around 10°C to 13°C / 50°F to 55°F in temperate zones). They are highly humid, damp, and frequently muddy.

The Different Types of Caving

Depending on the cave’s structure, the activity generally splits into two main styles:

1. Horizontal Caving

This involves navigating caves that mostly develop horizontally. While it still includes climbing over boulders, scrambling up mud banks, or squeezing through tight slots, it does not require specialized rope work.

2. Vertical Caving

When caves descend straight down through shafts and pits (sometimes hundreds of feet deep), cavers use a discipline called Single Rope Technique (SRT). Using specialized mechanical ascenders and descenders, cavers safely rappel down into the deep and climb back up a single hanging rope.

Core Gear and Safety Rules

Because caves are unforgiving environments where rescue is incredibly difficult, cavers adhere to a strict ethos:

The Golden Rule: Always carry three independent sources of light per person (usually a primary helmet-mounted LED headlamp and two backups).

Conservation: Caves form over hundreds of thousands of years. Cavers follow a strict code: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.” Touching delicate crystal formations can permanently ruin them due to the oils on human skin.

The Uniform: A rugged helmet, durable coveralls (often Cordura or PVC to handle abrasion), sturdy boots, and knee/elbow pads.

The Team: True cavers never go alone. A standard group size is at least four people—if someone is injured, one can stay with the victim while the other two head out to get help.

Everything Awesome can provide experiences that will change your life. Contact us to book.

A professional beginner is someone who has turned the act of starting over into an elite, highly marketable skill.

I seem to have had this description for most of my adult life, and somehow, have paid my bills and lived a great life.

While most professionals climb a career ladder by narrowing their focus, a professional beginner climbs by widening their scope. They don’t claim to be a veteran expert in any single domain; instead, their expertise lies in the speed at which they can conquer a learning curve.

They are intellectual chameleons, drop-in problem solvers, and professional translators. Here is what defines them:

1. The Core Mindset: High Confidence, Low Ego

The most distinct trait of a professional beginner is a unique psychological balance:

• Zero Ego: They are completely unphased by walking into a room and saying, “I don’t know what that acronym means, please explain it to me.” They don’t waste cognitive energy pretending to know things they don’t.
• Radical Confidence: While they have low ego about their current knowledge, they have sky-high confidence in their ability to learn. They operate on a fundamental belief: If another human being figured this out, I can figure it out too.

2. The Skillset of Rapid Acquisition

A professional beginner doesn’t learn like an academic; they learn like an engineer. They possess a meta-skill: learning how to learn.

• Deconstruction: They can look at a complex system (a new coding language, a supply chain bottleneck, a financial model) and instantly break it down into its core components.
• The 20% Filter: They instinctively find the 20% of vocabulary and concepts that drive 80% of the daily operations in a given field.
• Analogy Matching: Because they have dabbled in so many industries, they learn by cross-referencing. When learning a new marketing framework, they might think, “Oh, this is just like the feedback loops I learned about in mechanical engineering.”

3. The Professional Value: The “OODA Loop” Expert

In the corporate world, the professional beginner is an incredible asset, particularly in volatile or fast-moving industries. They excel at what military strategist John Boyd called the OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act).

[Traditional Expert] ───> Relies on historical precedents and "how we've always done it."
                          Can freeze when a totally unprecedented problem occurs.

[Professional Beginner] ─> Relies on first principles and rapid adaptation.
                          Thrives in chaos because they expect to start from scratch.

They are the ultimate “firefighters.” When a company faces a weird, multi-departmental crisis that doesn’t fit neatly into HR, Legal, or Engineering, they drop the professional beginner into the center of it.

4. The Trap to Avoid

The danger of being a professional beginner is becoming a “permanent amateur.” To avoid this, a true professional beginner ensures that while their subject matter changes, their execution standards remain elite. They might be a beginner at the specific technical requirements of a new project, but they are a seasoned master at project management, communication, stakeholder alignment, and critical thinking.

In short: A traditional expert is paid for what they already know. A professional beginner is paid for how fast they can figure out what nobody knows yet.

DofE Bronze Assessment weekend.

The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Bronze Assessment (often called the “qualifying expedition”) is the final, hands-on test of the Expedition section. It is designed to test the self sufficiency, teamwork, and navigation skills in a rural environment.

The Adventure Element

The most important thing to know is that it is not a military test or a race; the goal is for the team to safely complete a route they planned themselves while adhering to the official “DofE 20 Conditions.”

Here is exactly what a Bronze assessment looks like from start to finish:

1. The Core Structure

• Duration: 2 days and 1 night. The Adventure Element
• Activity Time: A minimum of 6 hours of planned activity per day.
• Journeying: At least 3 of those 6 hours must be spent actively traveling (usually walking, though some groups cycle or canoe). The remaining hours can be spent working on the “Team Goal” (e.g., geocaching, identifying wildlife, or filming a group diary).
• Environment: Normal, local rural countryside or familiar forest paths. The Adventure Element

2. Remote Supervision & The Assessor

Yjey will be assigned an accredited DofE Assessor (who, at the Bronze level, is sometimes also the team’s Supervisor).

The key word for the assessment is unaccompanied. The Assessor will not walk with them. Instead, they practice “remote supervision.” They will:

• Check the kit and navigation plans before you set off.
• Meet at designated checkpoints along the route to see how you are doing.
• Occasionally track the group from a distance or via a GPS tracker.
• Step in only if there is a safety or first-aid emergency.

3. What Happens During the 2 Days

Day 1: The Outward Journey & Camp Craft

• The Start: The Assessor will check that the team has all the required safety gear, correct clothing, and enough food. They may ask individuals questions about the route or first aid.
• The Walk: The team (usually 4 to 7 people) navigates the route using a map and compass. They must carry all your own kit, including tents, sleeping bags, stoves, and food.
• At the Campsite: Once you arrive at the designated campsite, The team must set up your tents and pitch camp without adult help.
• Cooking: They must use a cooking stove (like a Trangia) to prepare a substantial hot meal. This is a mandatory requirement to prove you can look after your nutritional needs.

Day 2: The Return Journey & Debrief

• Morning Routine: They wake up, cook a hot breakfast, completely pack up camp, and ensure they leave “no trace” (absolutely no litter).
• The Final Stretch: Navigate the second leg of the planned route to the final finish point.
• The Assessor Debrief: Once they arrive, the Assessor will sit down with the team. They will ask how it went, how you handled any navigation mistakes, and ask to share the findings of your Team Goal.

4. How Do You Pass (or Fail)?

Assessors want you to pass, and they expect minor mistakes, like getting slightly lost and having to relocate. They will successfully pass your assessment as long as they meet the core requirements:

After a successful debrief, the Assessor will sign off the assessment on the eDofE system, completing the Expedition section!

I recently worked on my first assessment, they above are the requirments.

I worked for Lupine Adventure Explaining it was my first time they where very supportive, i could not have asked for more.

The days where spent remote supervising, essentially meeting with the group, planning a check in point on an OS map, they then walk there, and i meet them at that check in to ensure there are no problems.
I had a great group of young ladies, around 14 yrs old, they where polite and pleasent to be around

The picture posted is one taken with no young people in, for safeguarding reasons, but i got to sit there for a warm saturday evening listening to the chit chat of enthusiastic people.

While walking through woodland, in an area with a vast rural industrial history i came across a gated tunnel.
staring into it, i could see a long dark tunnel. and then nothing.
Taking a grid ref, when home i opened up my link to the National Library of Scotland, they have a wonderful resource for comparing modern, with historic maps.
Finding no reference, a number of local history websites provided me with an answer

The Georgian Ice House

Ice houses were very important before fridges and freezers were invented – they would provide estates with ice which they could use to store food and make special desserts for guests of the nearby mansions. Imagine the most elaborately decorated jellies created in metal moulds, decorated with fruits from the kitchen garden.

There may have been several functioning ice houses on the Estate. Workers cut and collected the ice from the frozen lake in winter and cattle or heavy horses would have dragged it in carts or sledges to the ice house. It was then lowered underground and insulated with straw to stop it from melting.

How They Worked

Insulation: The ice blocks were tightly packed and heavily insulated with straw, sawdust, or bracken. A drain at the base allowed meltwater to escape so the remaining ice stayed solid

Construction: They were typically deep, subterranean pits constructed with thick brick or stone walls. Being underground and shaped like a dome or egg helped maintain a naturally cool temperature.

Collection: During the winter, ice was cut from nearby frozen lakes or rivers and hauled into the chamber.
It’s oddities like this that make my day, it sparked an interest, and a new found knowledge of something lost in time.

We here at Everything Awesome can arrange days out that will generate some equally awesome memories.

Whether you are looking to conquer a literal mountain or overcome a personal physical challenge, Everything Awesome is a premier outdoor adventure and rehabilitation organization based in the heart of the Peak District and Sheffield. Far from being a typical tour company, Everything Awesome blends high-octane adventure with expert coaching and specialized medical rehabilitation, creating an inclusive gateway to the great outdoors.

Here is a breakdown of what we here at Everything Awesome can do for you.

1. Master New Skills with Expert Coaching

At the core of Everything Awesome is a commitment to high-quality instruction. Led by Mini Mansell an instructor with an exhaustive portfolio of qualifications the organization offers structured coaching across a variety of disciplines.

• Mountain Biking (MTB): From “Jumps and Drops” workshops to the fundamental core skills, you can learn to navigate technical trails with confidence. We also offer MIAS (Mountain Bike Instructors Award Scheme) Level 1 and 2 courses for those looking to turn their passion into a professional qualification.
• Rock Climbing: Whether you are transitioning from “Gym to Crag” or wanting to learn the complexities of Traditional (Trad) climbing, they provide safe, expert-led sessions. We even offer ladies-only climbing sessions to foster a supportive environment for female adventurers.
• Paddlesports & More: You can book Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) taster sessions, navigation courses (like “Find Your Way in a Day”), and even archery lessons.

2. Experience Bespoke Adventures

Everything Awesome excels at creating unforgettable memories through guided experiences. If you aren’t looking for a “lesson” but rather a “journey,” they offer guided mountain bike rides through the rugged Peak District, “Waterfall Walks” (such as the stunning Middle Black Clough), and “Weaselling” (a unique Peak District activity involving scrambling through natural rock tunnels and boulders). These sessions are perfect for families, stag/hen dos, or corporate team building events where the goal is to bond through shared adventure.

3. Specialized Rehabilitation & Inclusion

What truly sets us apart is our “sister” mission in Neuro and Spinal Rehabilitation. We act as specialist Rehabilitation Assistants (RAs), working alongside Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists to support individuals recovering from life-altering injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, and cerebral palsy.

We believe that the outdoors should be accessible to everyone. If you have complex physical needs or use a wheelchair, Everything Awesome uses their specialized skill set to adapt activities like climbing or paddling to your specific requirements. We focus on the “Adventure Sports Specialist Rehab” model, helping individuals rediscover their identity and physical potential through nature.

4. Empowerment and Mental Well-being

Beyond the physical activities, Everything Awesome provides a space for personal growth. Our philosophy is built on “Challenge by Choice,” allowing participants to set their own limits and overcome fears at their own pace. This approach builds immense self-confidence and offers a powerful mental health boost, using the transformative power of the Peak District’s landscape to reduce stress and foster a sense of accomplishment.

Summary

In short, Everything Awesome provides the tools, the expertise, and the environment for you to “ditch the routine.” Whether you are an elite athlete looking to shave seconds off your descent, a beginner nervous about your first climb, or someone navigating a difficult recovery journey, we offer a personalized roadmap to help you experience the world in an awesome way.

A lensatic compass, often called a military compass is the gold standard for serious land navigation. Unlike a basic scouting compass, it’s designed for extreme durability and high precision sighting, allowing you to follow a bearing with minute accuracy even in rough terrain.

The name comes from the magnifying lens used to read the dial while simultaneously sighting a distant landmark.

The Three Main Parts

To understand how it works, you have to look at its “clamshell” design:

1. The Cover: Protects the compass glass and contains the sighting wire (front sight), which you align with your target.
2. The Base: Contains the compass dial, the bezel (the clicking ring), and a thumb loop to stabilize your grip.
3. The Rear Sight: A flip-up bracket containing the lens. It has a small sighting slit at the top to align with the front wire.

Key Features & Terminology

If you’re looking at a high-quality model, you’ll notice a few specific technical details:

• The Floating Dial: Instead of just a needle, the entire scale rotates. It usually features two scales: degrees (0–360) and mils (0–6400, used primarily by artillery and for high-precision mapping).
• Luminous Markings: Quality compasses use tritium (self-glowing gas) or phosphorescent paint so you can navigate in total darkness.
• Induction Damping: This is a fancy way of saying the dial settles quickly. Rather than spinning forever, internal magnets create a “drag” that stops the dial in seconds without needing liquid filling (which can bubble or leak).
• The Bezel Ring: This clicks as you turn it. On military models, each click usually represents 3°, allowing you to set a course in the dark by counting clicks.

How to Use It: The Sighting Technique

The lensatic compass is unique because it allows for a cheeksight method. This is how you get that pinpoint accuracy:

1. Open the cover to a 90° angle and the rear sight to a 45° angle.
2. Put your thumb through the loop and steady the compass against your cheek.
3. Look through the sighting slit and align the front wire with a landmark (like a specific tree or peak).
4. Without moving your head, look down through the lens to read the exact degree under the black index line.

A Quick “Pro-Tip” Warning

Because it’s made of metal and magnets, the lensatic compass is sensitive to Magnetic Interference. If you try to take a reading while standing next to a truck, a power line, or even holding a heavy rifle, the dial will deviate. Always step away from large metal objects before trusting your heading.

Book onto one of our nav courses and you can get to learn much more about navigation skills

Although the title does preclude a gender, i hope the message doesnt. The message being, go prepared. So many problems, just wont become a problem, if you are prepared for them.

The classic “gentleman’s pat-down.” Whether you’re checking your pockets before leaving the house or making sure you haven’t lost your soul (or your keys) at a funeral, this mnemonic has a surprisingly long history.

While most people use it as a quick checklist to ensure they have their essentials, its roots are a bit more “holy.”

The Meaning Behind the Phrase

The phrase is a mnemonic for the Sign of the Cross (the ritual gesture made by Christians, primarily Catholics). The movement of the hand corresponds to the items mentioned:

• Spectacles: Touching the forehead.
• Testicles: Touching the lower abdomen/waist.
• Wallet: Touching the left shoulder (where a man historically kept his wallet in an inside jacket pocket).
• Watch: Touching the right shoulder (referring to a pocket watch kept in the waistcoat).

Historical Context

• The “Pocket” Logic: The order reflects a time when men’s fashion was more formal. Most men were right-handed, so they kept their wallet in the left breast pocket (easy to reach with the right hand) and their pocket watch in the right waistcoat pocket.
• Pop Culture: You might recognize this from movies like Nuns on the Run (1990) or Austin Powers, where it’s used as a joke to help someone “fake” being religious. It also famously appeared in Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino.
• The “Pocket Pat”: Today, it’s mostly used by people who aren’t necessarily religious but want a rhythmic way to ensure they haven’t forgotten their gear.

For me, as an outdoor professional, this tends to mean, phone, keys, penknife and specs. (plus first aid kit as a default)

When working, this could include, compass, or bike pocket multi tool,

Of course, in 2026, the modern version is probably more like: “Phone, Keys, Wallet, Vape”—though that doesn’t quite have the same theological ring to it.