Sprayway Staff Trip: Eastern Fells May 24, 2024 At Sprayway, our passion for the outdoors isn't just about our work—it's about living the adventure ourselves. Recently, some of our team, with people from all parts of the brand, from sales to marketing and design to sourcing, embarked on a memorable two-day trip to the Lake District. A perfect opportunity to bond, test new and existing products, and immerse ourselves in the beautiful landscapes that inspire our work. Day 1: Helvellyn via Catsycam and Swirrel Edge Our trip began on a cloudy morning as we gathered just up the valley from Glenridding at around 10:00 AM. The clouds provided a welcome cover during our steep ascent to Helvellyn, one of the most iconic peaks in the Lake District. Our route took us up Catsycam, followed by the challenging scramble up Swirrel Edge, an exposed ridge on the Eastern side of Helvellyn. Reaching the summit was a highlight, not just for the accomplishment but for the surreal sight of England's highest cricket match being played… The descent took us down Sticks Pass, leading us to our accommodation at Almond Lodge, a cozy bunkhouse at the foot of Helvellyn. The lodge offered a perfect setting for relaxing after a big day on the hill as well as being walking distance to a lovely Lakeland pub, the Traveller’s Rest, in Glenridding. A few Wainwright’s and some hearty pub grub made for a perfect ending to a top day out. Day 2: Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force We woke up to a cracking cloud inversion in the valley over Ullswater the next morning, prime bacon butty conditions. We also had much sunnier weather, perfect for exploring new routes. After our breakfast butties and a few pots of tea we had a quick look at the recommended routes in Almond Lodge's map room, we decided on a walk that led us to Aira Force Waterfall and Gowbarrow Fell. Promises of lush green ferns, towering evergreen specimen conifers, expansive views over Ullswater and a tea room at the end sold it to us. Our walk began with the roar of Aira Force, a stunning waterfall nestled in a woodland gorge. The walk continued through dense forests and open glades, eventually emerging to reveal panoramic vistas over Ullswater from the summit of Gowbarrow Fell where we stopped for lunch, a new Wainwright ticked off for most of the group. The day's adventure concluded with a well-earned treat: ice cream and a refreshing, albeit chilly, dip in Ullswater. This trip wasn't just about walking; it was about using our products in the environments we design them for. By putting our products through their paces in real-world conditions, we gained valuable insights that will inform our future work. Staff Favourites Iain – Sales Tarn Short - I found the Tarn shorts are my perfect companion for long days on the fells. The TecWEAVE stretch fabric performed well when working up a sweat on the uphill and felt durable for intense use in the summer months. The UPF 50 + put my mind at ease on sunny days. They were comfy all day from their regular fit, 2 hand pockets and a zipped thigh pocket for my phone. I've been using them for 14 months and am very happy with their durability. Eve – Marketing Escape Trail Short (Available SS25) – These were great because the weather was pretty close and humid, but these are light and breathable, so I wasn’t too hot. The A-line fit means that they’re good for scrambling, as they allow for a large range of motion. They even have pockets that fit a phone in – a rarity in size 8 women’s clothes! Perfect for snapping photos on the go. Adam – Marketing Hafren Jacket (Available AW24) – The first day of our trip was warm and muggy but we also spent time in and out of clouds with occasional showers as we climbed up on to the summit of Helvellyn. Difficult conditions to pack for. My Hafren provided the perfect balance of weather protection, breathability, and pack size. I found it quick to pack away on steeper terrain and easy to chuck on for the exposed summit. I also appreciated the breathability of the GORE Infinium fabric when moving faster on the descent off the summit. Evi – Product Tech Reaction Long W Jacket and Effra Hoody - The 2-layer GORE-TEX fabric is so soft and light which makes it the perfect jacket to wear on any Spring/Summer trail. It was a bit cold when we reached the highest point of Helvellyn but had my Effra hoody on already and put my Reaction Long jacket on top. That made the perfect combination for these light Spring conditions, and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to carry just a few layers on a less technical hike.
Sprayway Staff Trip: Eastern Fells May 24, 2024 At Sprayway, our passion for the outdoors isn't just about our work—it's about living the adventure ourselves. Recently, some of our team, with people from all parts of the brand, from sales to marketing and design to sourcing, embarked on a memorable two-day trip to the Lake District. A perfect opportunity to bond, test new and existing products, and immerse ourselves in the beautiful landscapes that inspire our work. Day 1: Helvellyn via Catsycam and Swirrel Edge Our trip began on a cloudy morning as we gathered just up the valley from Glenridding at around 10:00 AM. The clouds provided a welcome cover during our steep ascent to Helvellyn, one of the most iconic peaks in the Lake District. Our route took us up Catsycam, followed by the challenging scramble up Swirrel Edge, an exposed ridge on the Eastern side of Helvellyn. Reaching the summit was a highlight, not just for the accomplishment but for the surreal sight of England's highest cricket match being played… The descent took us down Sticks Pass, leading us to our accommodation at Almond Lodge, a cozy bunkhouse at the foot of Helvellyn. The lodge offered a perfect setting for relaxing after a big day on the hill as well as being walking distance to a lovely Lakeland pub, the Traveller’s Rest, in Glenridding. A few Wainwright’s and some hearty pub grub made for a perfect ending to a top day out. Day 2: Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force We woke up to a cracking cloud inversion in the valley over Ullswater the next morning, prime bacon butty conditions. We also had much sunnier weather, perfect for exploring new routes. After our breakfast butties and a few pots of tea we had a quick look at the recommended routes in Almond Lodge's map room, we decided on a walk that led us to Aira Force Waterfall and Gowbarrow Fell. Promises of lush green ferns, towering evergreen specimen conifers, expansive views over Ullswater and a tea room at the end sold it to us. Our walk began with the roar of Aira Force, a stunning waterfall nestled in a woodland gorge. The walk continued through dense forests and open glades, eventually emerging to reveal panoramic vistas over Ullswater from the summit of Gowbarrow Fell where we stopped for lunch, a new Wainwright ticked off for most of the group. The day's adventure concluded with a well-earned treat: ice cream and a refreshing, albeit chilly, dip in Ullswater. This trip wasn't just about walking; it was about using our products in the environments we design them for. By putting our products through their paces in real-world conditions, we gained valuable insights that will inform our future work. Staff Favourites Iain – Sales Tarn Short - I found the Tarn shorts are my perfect companion for long days on the fells. The TecWEAVE stretch fabric performed well when working up a sweat on the uphill and felt durable for intense use in the summer months. The UPF 50 + put my mind at ease on sunny days. They were comfy all day from their regular fit, 2 hand pockets and a zipped thigh pocket for my phone. I've been using them for 14 months and am very happy with their durability. Eve – Marketing Escape Trail Short (Available SS25) – These were great because the weather was pretty close and humid, but these are light and breathable, so I wasn’t too hot. The A-line fit means that they’re good for scrambling, as they allow for a large range of motion. They even have pockets that fit a phone in – a rarity in size 8 women’s clothes! Perfect for snapping photos on the go. Adam – Marketing Hafren Jacket (Available AW24) – The first day of our trip was warm and muggy but we also spent time in and out of clouds with occasional showers as we climbed up on to the summit of Helvellyn. Difficult conditions to pack for. My Hafren provided the perfect balance of weather protection, breathability, and pack size. I found it quick to pack away on steeper terrain and easy to chuck on for the exposed summit. I also appreciated the breathability of the GORE Infinium fabric when moving faster on the descent off the summit. Evi – Product Tech Reaction Long W Jacket and Effra Hoody - The 2-layer GORE-TEX fabric is so soft and light which makes it the perfect jacket to wear on any Spring/Summer trail. It was a bit cold when we reached the highest point of Helvellyn but had my Effra hoody on already and put my Reaction Long jacket on top. That made the perfect combination for these light Spring conditions, and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to carry just a few layers on a less technical hike.