ACTIVE | 12 New Year Outdoors Activity Ideas – Snowboarding, Camping, Exploring & More!

January 2, 2015 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Activities, Camping Features, Camping Tips & Advice, Homepage Feature

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Need some ideas for outdoors activities and things to do in the coming year? Go ahead and steal some of these ideas and make this your most active and outdoorsy year ever.

I’ve put together a list of 12 things I want to do over the course of the coming year, so that’s at least 1 new thing every month – bring it on!!

Last year sure went fast, but all the things I set out to achieve, I did (see my goals for last year here). Now is a great time to think about the coming year and what to fill it with and one of my plans is to walk up a mountain, something I’ve never done before.

Read on to see all of my plans and to find out why this will be such a mammoth undertaking for me.

1. Climbing a mountain

I’ve done some research and have got my sights set on either Snowdon in Wales or Skiddaw mountain in Cumbria. Skiddaw is the 4th highest in the region but is apparently, an easy ascent, making it ideal for novices. Despite the 931 metre summit being relatively easy to reach, for me, it won’t be.

Some of you will be aware that following a snowboarding accident in January 2014, I now have a range of pesky incurable chronic conditions, which can often make even getting out of bed a challenge, or dressing on my own impossible. So, whilst technically easy, walking up Skiddaw is going to be a real challenge.

2. Snowboarding in Morzine

I’m a fanatical snowboarder and hit the slopes as often as my budget and limited holiday time allows me to. I love England, but I do find myself wishing I lived closer to mountains every winter!

Every few years we return to my favourite snowboarding destination, Whistler in Canada, but after our 2014 visit it will be a few years until we are back there again, so this time i’m going back to Morzine.

11 of us have booked the luxury chalet Doux Abri with Mountain Spaces, and we’ll be celebrating two big birthdays whilst we are there. Boarding holidays always fill me with glee, so this, I am really looking forward to and have my fingers crossed that i’ll be up to boarding every day.

3. Dark Skies At Kielder Forest

I’ve been wanting to get up to Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland for some time now, and the lure of the darkest skies in Britain is hard to resist. I intend to camp out and set up my camera, and try a spot of astrophotography and will also attempt to do a time lapse of the stars moving through the night sky.

4. Even More Camping & A Return To Cae Du

We found Cae Du campsite last year and loved it so much we went three times, with a stunning coastal location that is hard to beat. Last year we spotted dolphins there and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the location. The stunning views and laid back feel of the site, means we’ll definitely be back there at the first hint of sunshine!

5. Kayaking On Bala Lake

I desperately want to go sea kayaking, but unfortunately, my body often doesn’t want to work when I want it to, so anything active, I often have to do last minute, on a ‘good’ day. Battling tides is probably a little too ambitious for me right now, so a gentle sheltered lake might be more sensible.

It’s been a good few years since I last did it, so a trip to Bala Lake is definitely on the cards.

6. Power Kiting

I have a 2.5 metre Flexifoil power kite, and when it’s windy enough it lifts me off the ground. I have pretty good control of it now, and always have fun when flying it.

Power kites are enormous fun and all you need is a bit, ok a LOT of open space and a windy day, for grin inducing fun, a definite for my 2015 outdoors to do list.

7. Going Underground

Since visiting Gaugh’s cave in the Cheddar gauge couple of years ago, i’ve developed a fascination with geology and show caves. We’ve already visited Poole’s Cavern in the Peak District, so this year we are going to head up to White Scar Cave to see how that compares.

Take a look at our recent feature on Poole’s Cavern here.

8. Chasing Waterfalls

Apparently you aren’t meant to go chasing waterfalls, but i’ve always been a bit of a rebel, so in 2015 this is one of the things I fully intend to do. I love the sound of running water and there is something so magical about waterfalls.

During a wonderful weekend at Eskdale Camping and Caravanning Club Site last year, we went for a wander and were delighted to come across Stanley Force Waterfall. Being a massive child, I of course had to climb all the way down, and scramble over the water side boulders whilst grinning like a loon. Aren’t waterfalls just ace?!

9. Full Steam Ahead

This is probably one of the least cool things I could admit, but I kind of like steam trains, in fact I find them utterly charming and would like to travel only by steam train, or maybe hot air balloon. I blame the fact that a good 10% of my DNA is comprised of ironic-hipster, but I really do like mechanical stuff and I love traveling by train. Despite planning to, we didn’t get round to it last year, so this year, we’ll be traveling by steam for sure.

11. Leaving The North Behind

Due to most of what we do being limited to weekends, we have a typical travel radius of about 130 miles. This means we spend an awful lot of time in Wales, The Lake District and Yorkshire and only venture further south when I need to fly from Heathrow airport!

I’m going to do my best to spend more time this year exploring further south, so will be taking in places like Glastonbury in Somerset and Woolacombe in Devon.

12. Reaching New Heights….Of Abraham To Be Exact

Derbyshire isn’t far from here, (I seem to keep forgetting this fact when I’m planning places to go and things to do) and whilst I am aware of the cable car visitor attraction called The Heights of Abraham, I’ve never been, and find the concept of riding a cable car without clutching my snowboard slightly odd.

I’m expecting awesome views, with none of the effort, and hopefully we’ll combine it with a spot of luxury glamping as i’ve got my eye on the delightful little New Hanson Shepherd’s Huts which aren’t too far away.

And finally…

We would be utterly delighted if you follow some of our planned exploits over the coming year, and look forward to celebrating our first anniversary in March 2015.

A huge thank you to all of you who have read the blog, worked with us, subscribed to our newsletter, commented and followed us on social media this year, and we look forward to getting to know many of you more through social media and in some case, real life. I know right?!!

Wander and be curious.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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