Knowledge base

Paul Abbott outlines key info you need to know about the LCC and X-Lakes 2026 If you are taking part in the LCC and X-Lakes 2026, please join the Telegram group - follow the link in the email you've received from Paul. This is a general briefing for the LCC and X-Lakes 2026. It covers: Admin instructions Flying in the Grasmere valley Landing Zones and hazards Campsite rules The field at Grasmere Sports this year is open to camp from lunchtime on Wednesday 17 June. Registratio

This is the fourth and last video in a series, called FOLLOWING TOM. It is a series of "reconnaissance" or training videos for the 2026 X-Lakes, based on trying to repeat the most tricky sections of Tom Hodgkin's run & fly Bob Graham round in June 2024. In this video, I learn about the "Scafell to Yewbarrow" section, focused on finding a takeoff in the rocky scramble of Scafell summit and then flying over the back to the 4km glide to Yewbarrow. The terrain here is technical a

This video is the third in a series, called FOLLOWING TOM. It is a series of "reconnaissance" or training videos for the 2026 X-Lakes, based on trying to repeat the most tricky sections of Tom Hodgkin's run & fly Bob Graham round in June 2024. In this video, I try to repeat the "Northern Fells" section, focused on getting over the back to the quagmire of Great Calva, via Skiddaw and Blencathra. The conditions were strange. Nil wind walking up Jenkin (Skiddaw) which suddenly b

This video is the second in a series, called FOLLOWING TOM. It is a series of "reconnaissance" or training videos for the 2026 X-Lakes, based on trying to repeat the most tricky sections of Tom Hodgkin's run & fly Bob Graham round in June 2024. In this video, I try to repeat the Grisedale Tarn section: Dollywaggon Pike Fairfield Seat Sandal Steel Fell The wind was light NW: not ideal. I'm flying a secondhand Phi SOLA GT, and an Advance Easiness 3. As ever there was huge sink

This video is the first in a series, called FOLLOWING TOM. It is a series of "reconnaissance" or training videos for the 2026 X-Lakes, based on trying to repeat the most difficult sections of Tom Hodgkin's run & fly Bob Graham round in June 2024. For the 2026 X-Lakes, race director John Westall has said that the 2-day event will be based broadly on the Bob Graham round, as a race to goal. We don't know the exact rules yet, or the turn points that John will set. These details

Wainwright-bagging around the "skyline" of Grasmere valley For the hike & flyers out there, here is a short video about Wainwright-bagging around the "skyline" of Grasmere valley. This task is always different. There are almost infinite variations on this easy route, depending on the weather.

This is the fourth video in a series, interviewing pilots about their hike & fly tracklogs. "Westie" as he is known locally is the Director of the X-Lakes Challenge, having won it outright in 2023 and placed highly / joint first on other occasions. John is the Treasurer of the Cumbria Soaring Club, and a regular face on the local hills. But he is also a serious hike & fly pilot, having won the Tri-Nations Cup in recent years and competed at a high level in Alpine H&F competit

This is the third video in a series, interviewing pilots about their hike & fly tracklogs. Dave is a multiple-time winner of the most serious category of the X-Lakes - the unsupported vol-biv category, which involves camping alone in the mountains, carrying all your equipment and food, over two days, with a much heavier rucksack and limited access to weather forecasts or other information. Dave also holds the record for the highest number of Wainwrights tagged ever in the X-L

This is the second video in a series, interviewing pilots about their hike & fly tracklogs. Paul won the one-day X-Lakes competition in 2024, having taken part before in previous years and also the X-Dales competition. The race was won on an EN-A rated paraglider - the safest category of paraglider - and his victory on the day was more about decision-making and flying skill, rather than just being on a "hot" wing!

An excerpt from Keith "Bud" Paterson talking about his 2024 X-Lakes tracklog. This section looks at the Milk Run, which is the local nickname for flying the Helvellyn ridge on a paraglider, starting at Clough Head and flying south to the Grasmere valley.

This is the first video in a series, interviewing pilots from the Cumbria Soaring Club about their hike & fly tracklogs. Bud won the X-Lakes Challenge in 2024, having won it before on multiple occasions. This interview looks at his winning tracklog: the route planning, the weather, his decision-making, the uphill sections, soaring, thermalling, cloudbase vs. "making progress", all of his gritty XC adventure in as much detail as possible!

Bud gives us a brief on flying in the Lake District in preparation for the X-Lakes Challenge. The video is best accompanied with a map of the area so that you can follow through as Bud talks us through flying the area. Bud is a local pilot and has won the X-Lakes, as well as being a seasoned H&F pilot having competed in X-Pyr, Bornes to Fly, Dragon, X-Scotia and X-Eryri. This was recorded in preparation for the X-Lakes 2023.

Jocky Sanderson on flying the Lake District. A deep dive on topography, sea breeze vs convergence, and tactics that will help XC pilots in the Lakes who are aiming for long distances