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Programme
*included in the price of your weekend pass
Please check back regularly as speakers and workshops are being added all the time. We'll be publishing a full programme/schedule closer to the event.
Talks/Films
Fell Foodie
Harrison Ward, perhaps better known as Fell Foodie, is a Cumbrian outdoor cook who loves to recreate restaurant style meals on minimal equipment (usually a camp stove) in remote locations. He has a strong following across various social media platforms and has featured regularly in the media inc The Guardian, Countryfile Magazine, Men's Fitness, and more. He is a brand advocate for Volvo Car UK, ambassador for the Lake District Foundation and recently featured on the BBC in Dame Mary Berry's latest series ‘Love to Cook’, and Channel 5 on ‘Winter on the Farm’.
His life was very different just a few short years ago. Struggling with a clinical depression that first appeared in his adolescence, Harrison's life spiralled out of control whilst using alcohol to try and medicate his mental afflictions. The end of a relationship and a personal breakdown led to a major life change. Hear about how he takes modern practices back to their primal roots and shows what can be cooked in the outdoors as well as sharing the importance of time outdoors for physical and mental wellbeing. Harrison’s talk will address his personal battle with depression, suicidal thoughts and journey from an overweight, alcoholic, smoker to the fit, fell loving foodie he is today.
His debut cook book, 'Cook Out' was published by Vertebrate Publishing in 2023.
His life was very different just a few short years ago. Struggling with a clinical depression that first appeared in his adolescence, Harrison's life spiralled out of control whilst using alcohol to try and medicate his mental afflictions. The end of a relationship and a personal breakdown led to a major life change. Hear about how he takes modern practices back to their primal roots and shows what can be cooked in the outdoors as well as sharing the importance of time outdoors for physical and mental wellbeing. Harrison’s talk will address his personal battle with depression, suicidal thoughts and journey from an overweight, alcoholic, smoker to the fit, fell loving foodie he is today.
His debut cook book, 'Cook Out' was published by Vertebrate Publishing in 2023.
Alex Staniforth
Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ultra-endurance athlete, international keynote speaker, author and mental health charity founder from Chester, who is no stranger to overcoming challenges.
By the age of 19 he had already survived the two most significant disasters in Mount Everest history, in two consecutive years. However, his biggest mountains have been within: overcoming epilepsy, bullying, mental ill health and a stammer since childhood.
Alex has never allowed adversity to become his identity – only an opportunity. Through his adventures he is committed to discovering his potential and helping others achieve their own ‘Everest’.
He is the fastest person to climb all 100 UK county tops - covering 5,000 miles by human power in 72 days - and has raised over £100,000 for charity, being awarded the Pride of Britain Granada Reports Fundraiser of the Year 2017 and a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister in 2023. Alex has authored two books ‘Icefall’ and ‘Another Peak’, and in 2020 founded a national charity, Mind Over Mountains, to restore mental well-being through nature.
By the age of 19 he had already survived the two most significant disasters in Mount Everest history, in two consecutive years. However, his biggest mountains have been within: overcoming epilepsy, bullying, mental ill health and a stammer since childhood.
Alex has never allowed adversity to become his identity – only an opportunity. Through his adventures he is committed to discovering his potential and helping others achieve their own ‘Everest’.
He is the fastest person to climb all 100 UK county tops - covering 5,000 miles by human power in 72 days - and has raised over £100,000 for charity, being awarded the Pride of Britain Granada Reports Fundraiser of the Year 2017 and a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister in 2023. Alex has authored two books ‘Icefall’ and ‘Another Peak’, and in 2020 founded a national charity, Mind Over Mountains, to restore mental well-being through nature.
Belinda Kirk
Belinda Kirk is an explorer, author and leading campaigner promoting the benefits of adventure on wellbeing and mental health. She’s spent 30 years leading groups into the wilderness and has witnessed first hand the power of adventure to transform people’s lives. She’s written 'Adventure Mind: Transform your wellbeing by choosing challenge', the first book to explain the psychology of why adventure is essential to our wellbeing.
In 2019 she launched the AdventureMind alliance to further explore the positive impact that adventurous activity has on wellbeing. It is now a conference series, an international research collaborative and an alliance of practitioners working together to promote adventure for mental health.
Belinda has led dozens of international expeditions, crossing continents on foot and gaining a Guinness World Record for rowing unsupported around Britain. She has led numerous youth development challenges, pioneered inclusive expeditions for disabled people and managed scientific research missions in the Amazon, Sinai and Alaska. She also runs Explorers Connect to encourage 30,000 ordinary people to engage in transformational outdoor challenges.
Belinda will be giving a talk at Base Camp Festival: ‘How to improve our mental health through adventure’
Through adventuring - chosen challenges in the outdoors - we can make lasting improvements to clinical outcomes (such as anxiety and depression), self-concept (our beliefs about ourselves), personal development (such as courage, resilience, creativity) and social development (improving the wellbeing of every individual in society). This has a multitude of benefits for our communities and our own wellbeing, benefits that are currently undervalued and underutilised.
The evidence base is growing rapidly and Belinda sees an opportunity to apply this new information as an innovative tool in the mental health crisis we face. Importantly, she has seen that adventures are for everyone and she describes how any size adventure, from camping in your garden or learning how to surf for the first time to climbing a 5,000m mountain, brings benefits and offers a way for us to live our best lives.
In 2019 she launched the AdventureMind alliance to further explore the positive impact that adventurous activity has on wellbeing. It is now a conference series, an international research collaborative and an alliance of practitioners working together to promote adventure for mental health.
Belinda has led dozens of international expeditions, crossing continents on foot and gaining a Guinness World Record for rowing unsupported around Britain. She has led numerous youth development challenges, pioneered inclusive expeditions for disabled people and managed scientific research missions in the Amazon, Sinai and Alaska. She also runs Explorers Connect to encourage 30,000 ordinary people to engage in transformational outdoor challenges.
Belinda will be giving a talk at Base Camp Festival: ‘How to improve our mental health through adventure’
Through adventuring - chosen challenges in the outdoors - we can make lasting improvements to clinical outcomes (such as anxiety and depression), self-concept (our beliefs about ourselves), personal development (such as courage, resilience, creativity) and social development (improving the wellbeing of every individual in society). This has a multitude of benefits for our communities and our own wellbeing, benefits that are currently undervalued and underutilised.
The evidence base is growing rapidly and Belinda sees an opportunity to apply this new information as an innovative tool in the mental health crisis we face. Importantly, she has seen that adventures are for everyone and she describes how any size adventure, from camping in your garden or learning how to surf for the first time to climbing a 5,000m mountain, brings benefits and offers a way for us to live our best lives.
Alun Richardson
One of Trek & Mountain magazine’s most prolific contributors, Alun has recently retired from a 30-year career as an international Mountain Guide, having led treks and expeditions around the globe, from the Alps to the Himalaya, from Africa to the Arctic circle.
Although still active as a trek leader for Jagged Globe, Alun now spends much of his time on his other passion – photography – and at Base Camp Festival he will be not only sharing his expertise in our Outdoor Photography workshops, he will also be giving a talk on his new book ‘The Khumbu Himal’, which will be published in early 2025. With a foreword by Sir Chris Bonington, the book is a photographic celebration of Nepal’s Khumbu region, with the ‘voice of the Sherpa people' in words.
Although still active as a trek leader for Jagged Globe, Alun now spends much of his time on his other passion – photography – and at Base Camp Festival he will be not only sharing his expertise in our Outdoor Photography workshops, he will also be giving a talk on his new book ‘The Khumbu Himal’, which will be published in early 2025. With a foreword by Sir Chris Bonington, the book is a photographic celebration of Nepal’s Khumbu region, with the ‘voice of the Sherpa people' in words.
Workshops/Demos
Cooking Demo with the Fell Foodie
Fed up of boil-in-a-bag meals? Fancy some more upmarket grub while out in the hills? Come and join Fell Foodie Harrison Ward as he dishes up some advice on how to make proper food in the outdoors.
Harrison Ward, perhaps better known as Fell Foodie, is a Cumbrian outdoor cook who loves to recreate restaurant style meals on minimal equipment (usually a campstove) in remote locations. He has a strong following across various social media platforms and has featured regularly in the media inc The Guardian, Countryfile Magazine, Men's Fitness, and more. He is a brand advocate for Volvo Car UK, ambassador for the Lake District Foundation and recently featured on the BBC in Dame Mary Berry's latest series ‘Love to Cook’, and Channel 5 on ‘Winter on the Farm’.
His debut cook book, 'Cook Out' was published by Vertebrate Publishing in 2023.
Harrison Ward, perhaps better known as Fell Foodie, is a Cumbrian outdoor cook who loves to recreate restaurant style meals on minimal equipment (usually a campstove) in remote locations. He has a strong following across various social media platforms and has featured regularly in the media inc The Guardian, Countryfile Magazine, Men's Fitness, and more. He is a brand advocate for Volvo Car UK, ambassador for the Lake District Foundation and recently featured on the BBC in Dame Mary Berry's latest series ‘Love to Cook’, and Channel 5 on ‘Winter on the Farm’.
His debut cook book, 'Cook Out' was published by Vertebrate Publishing in 2023.
Bushcraft Skills
Do you want the skills and knowledge to be able to survive in the wild? Well this session is for you! From learning how to make fire, to constructing a shelter, to finding food and water to sustain you, this session will enhance your ability to not only survive – but thrive – in the natural environment, without the need of modern tools and equipment.
With knowledge and skills gained over many years spent in the outdoors, your instructor will give you numerous hacks to allow you to adapt and improvise the necessities for living off the grid. Whether for gaining skills/knowledge for an upcoming trip or adventure, or just for fun, this is one session everyone can enjoy and be inspired by.
With knowledge and skills gained over many years spent in the outdoors, your instructor will give you numerous hacks to allow you to adapt and improvise the necessities for living off the grid. Whether for gaining skills/knowledge for an upcoming trip or adventure, or just for fun, this is one session everyone can enjoy and be inspired by.
Essential Knots and Hitches
Don’t know your Italian hitch from your alpine butterfly? Join us for an hour-long dive into the wonderful world of knots and hitches, as you learn some of the most commonly-used knots and hitches used in the mountains. From the clove hitch to the figure-of-eight, and the French prussik to the overhand knot, you’ll be able to get hands-on with a rope and start practising the essential ropework you’ll need for your future climbing or mountaineering endeavors.
With one of our experts on hand to demonstrate all the knots and hitches and to monitor your progress, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you are learning these vital techniques correctly!
With one of our experts on hand to demonstrate all the knots and hitches and to monitor your progress, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you are learning these vital techniques correctly!
Yoga with Asher
Join one of the two yoga classes that Asher will be teaching each day. We'll have some mats available on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you have your own mat, please bring it to ensure your place.
Asher is a yoga teacher, community worker, and ultramarathon runner. He's interested in human relationships to nature and our experiences at the outer limits of endurance.
Asher has been practicing yoga for 15 years since he was a teenager, and teaching for two years. He has developed a very gentle practice, inspired by concepts of yin yoga, hatha and the fascia-mind connection. His teaching reflects scientifically-backed ideas, backed by peer-reviewed research.
Asher regularly teaches in various community centres and parks in West Yorkshire and at Leeds University.
He's looking forward to teaching at the festival, and is always inspired by the opportunities teaching outdoors presents for our experience of yoga.
Asher is a yoga teacher, community worker, and ultramarathon runner. He's interested in human relationships to nature and our experiences at the outer limits of endurance.
Asher has been practicing yoga for 15 years since he was a teenager, and teaching for two years. He has developed a very gentle practice, inspired by concepts of yin yoga, hatha and the fascia-mind connection. His teaching reflects scientifically-backed ideas, backed by peer-reviewed research.
Asher regularly teaches in various community centres and parks in West Yorkshire and at Leeds University.
He's looking forward to teaching at the festival, and is always inspired by the opportunities teaching outdoors presents for our experience of yoga.
Running Your First 100 Miler
Fancy stepping up to 100 miles, but not sure where to begin? Join Ellis Brigham’s running expert Charlie Gay and Ellis Brigham Athlete Naomi Benson, who will be talking about several of the key elements of taking on this distance, while giving advice and stories that have given them the edge, helping them complete these challenges.
Some of the areas that will be covered include: how to find a race; training strategies; nutrition tips; mental resilience; course-specific tips; equipment and footcare. There will also be some of the latest running kit from Montane and La Sportiva at the session, so you can get hands on with this and ask any questions you may have.
Some of the areas that will be covered include: how to find a race; training strategies; nutrition tips; mental resilience; course-specific tips; equipment and footcare. There will also be some of the latest running kit from Montane and La Sportiva at the session, so you can get hands on with this and ask any questions you may have.
Social Sessions
Meet and Greet
On Friday evening, the Base Camp Festival team will welcome all festival goers to the main Base Camp tent for our ‘meet and greet’ session, the perfect way to kick off the festival! During the session you’ll get the opportunity to talk to some of the key people involved with planning and running the festival, who will also give some vital info and tips about getting the most out of your weekend. It’s also a great chance to get to know other Base Campers and we’ll even treat you to a complimentary pint of our special festival IPA, courtesy of the Fell Brewery. The evening will continue with music from the fantastic McKenna brothers – who’ve travelled all the way from Hamilton, Ontario to be with us – and they will entertain us with their uptempo repertoire of Irish-influenced folk and pub songs.
Coffee Convos
If you haven’t signed up for a morning technical session or just prefer a slower start to the day, then why not grab a coffee (or whatever your hot beverage of choice is!) and head to the main stage in the Base Camp tent for a mid-morning chat with special guests from the outdoors world. Each morning we’ll have a panel of guests on stage to chat about a selection of current topics that are pertinent to the outdoor community, which may include some of the following issues: access rights in the countryside, the influence of social media on our outdoor activities, mental health and the outdoors, diversity in the outdoors, women in mountaineering and more. This is an interactive session, so audience members will be encouraged to engage in the conversation, whether asking panel members questions or air their opinions on the topics being discussed.
The Big Raffle
This is one session that none of you will want to miss! Every Base Camp Festival attendee will be automatically entered into our big festival raffle, and on Sunday evening we’ll be announcing all the winning numbers in the Base Camp tent. The draw will be made by the McKenna brothers, and up for grabs will be numerous great prizes from our festival partners, from beanie hats to backpacks and everything in between! If you’ve ever been to one of (presenting partner) Trek & Mountain’s pub quiz and raffles at Fort William Mountain Festival, you’ll know what to expect – i.e. a lot of fun, and a lot of great prizes! After all the prizes have been given away, the night will continue with more music and frivolities, the ideal way to round off a great weekend at Buttermere!
All Day Activities
Climbing wall
Keswick Climbing Centre will be on site with their mobile climbing wall and instructors so be sure to bring your climbing shoes and give it a try!
SUP
We'll be supplying stand up paddleboards so you can take in the stunning views from the lake. An instructor will be on site to answer any questions/give demonstrations. Use of the SUPs and buoyancy aids, instruction, and permits for Buttermere are included in your ticket price!
Wild Swimming
Cool off in the pristine waters of Buttermere after a day out in the hills. Or how about a morning dip to start the day refreshed? A lifeguard will be on site to ensure safety as you enjoy one of the clearest lakes in the Lake District.
Hillwalking
When not enjoying one of the sessions or talks, why not head off into the hills via one of the many trails that start right from the festival site! We'll be on hand with suggested routes and to answer questions about the area.
Tie dye/shibori station
Fancy a try at the Japanese art of Shibori, or just regular tie dye? Bring your festival tee, or other white cotton garments along and add a splash of colour. We'll have everything you need and one of our wonderful volunteers will be on hand to show you different techniques.
Games area
Team up with your fellow Base Campers for a game of corn hole, ladder golf etc in our fun games area.
Fire pit
Be sure to bring your marshmallows to roast while you warm up around the fire pit. We'll keep it going all evening (weather permitting).
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