Alpkit Big Shakeout 2012 Success

News Release / 18.10.2012

In a year where festivals have been plagued by inclement weather October once again proved to be more reliable than the Great British summer. Building on the success of last years event Alpkit saw their weekend of adventure and entertainment go from strength to strength as over 300 people bustled around the site at Thornbridge Outdoors near Bakewell.

Guided by illuminated Alpkit letters to an intimate and friendly weekend of adventure and entertainment all thoughts of the working week were vanquished as adventure films, hot food and live music rejuvenated weary travellers as they joined this years Big Shakeout. 

Whether heading out to explore the Peak District, taking part in School of Adventure activities, or simply relaxing, meeting friends and enjoying the festival vibe, Thornbridge Outdoors proved a perfect venue once agian. The weekend saw groups heading out caving, canoeing, kayaking, bouldering, walking and climbing while on-site bushcraft groups disappeared in to the woods, families got tangled up in rope courses, crawled through mole hills, teetered across high wires and enjoyed one of the many free craft workshops.

Highlights included Vin Cox’s Wild Foraging ride and the following cook-up with nettles, mushrooms and pheasant in front of an intrigued audience. Later he went on to host an evening with Alpkit team members while The Adventurists brought their unique blend of films and talks to a packed yurt.

In the evening the site was transformed, fires lit, paths illuminated with tea lights as people tucked into the Saturday evening meal. Live music from Matthew Moore and BSO regular Rik Warren, a fire poi performance and the River Legacy Real Ale bar and catering kept the site buzzing late into the evening. 

Alpkit’s Colin Stocker said “We are extremely pleased with how the festival is taking shape and already looking ahead to 2013. After this year we are now more passionate than ever about bringing together a wide spread of interests and abilities for a weekend that hopefully sparks new interests, grand adventures and new friends.”