Yorkshire Dales Guides
The Yorkshire Dales form one of the country’s finest areas for scenery and things to do – both above and below ground. The geography of the area is very interesting with the Three Peaks (Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Gent) limestone pavements, Malham Tarn and Malham Cove, one of the largest underground networks of tunnels and potholes in the world, the gentle rolling hills of the Dales, clean and beautiful rivers, and a sprinkling of delightful market towns and villages with welcoming pubs, inns and tea-rooms. There are so many different types of activity available that the area provides something for just about everyone to enjoy whatever their age and ability. For the most adventurous and those who enjoy a good challenge, the Dales can offer caving, potholing, abseiling, climbing, hill-walking, fell running and cycling. But before indulging in such sports it’s vital that participants know what they’re doing and are well prepared.
Yorkshire Dales Guides (YDG) are the experts who are called on by the TV companies and film makers when they are making programmes about climbing, abseiling, potholing and caving. They’ve led novice cavers such as the soprano Lesley Garrett and Ade Edmondson, comic and presenter of ITV’s The Dales, deep underground and shown them the techniques needed for a safe return above ground.
But the YDG helps not only celebrities: its specialist guides and trainers help individuals, small groups, and school parties from near and far to learn the ropes for a wide range of activities from walking and navigating/orienteering to climbing the peaks and potholing and caving below the hills.
YDG was founded in 1991 by Dave Gallivan and is now celebrating 21 years in business. Dave has a long history of potholing and caving going back 45 years and a huge accumulation of knowledge about not just the Yorkshire Dales but other parts of the British Isles and Europe too. As well as being a Caving Instructor (holding the nationally-recognised CIC qualification) he also has an MLTE Mountain Walking Leaders Award, and also holds relevant certificates in First Aid, Mountain Rescue and Health & Safety.
Dave’s partner at YDG is Pam Hickin. Pam also holds a raft of relevant qualifications and certificates and is a qualified teacher. Between them they carry-out Duke of Edinburgh Award supervision and training in all their areas of specialisation – including Three Peaks Walks. They also run team-building events through YDG Training their commercial training arm.
Through their contacts, Dave and Pam are able to call on a comprehensive network of guides and experts to assist them as needed.
YDG also organise Challenge Events, where two or three teams (of 4-6 people, with a standard maximum of 12 overall – larger groups can possibly be catered for) compete against each other across a range of tasks and activities – and not just physical ones like walking and caving, as they also involve brain-power, co-operation and leadership skills. The Challenge Events are great for team building, and bring a real sense of achievement for all those involved. Events can be arranged to suit a wide range of mental and physical abilities.
Based in Stainforth near Settle (in the astounding countryside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park) YDG have rightly established an outstanding reputation for providing people with the experience of a lifetime. You can find out much more about them by visiting their website – www.yorkshiredalesguides.co.uk – and to find out what other people think of them do check out their feedback page.
Yorkshire Dales Guides
Hornby Laithe
Stainforth
Settle
BD24 9PB
01729 824 455
info@yorkshiredalesguides.co.uk
All photos courtesy of Yorkshire Dales Guides.