What's the thinking behind our ultimate weekend competition? Well, it's simple really. We live in a ridiculously hectic, serious world. We spend too much time stressing and worrying, sitting in front of computer screens and televisions. And that's not good, physically or emotionally.
And that's why KEEN's bringing playtime back. When the bell rings for the weekend and you're heading for the hills, it's like being a kid again. Leave the work in the classroom and forget the daily grind - make the outdoors your playground.
It could be a weekend escape like our competition prize or just a ten-minute head-clearing stroll around the local park, it's about getting away and that in a nut-shell, is what KEEN is all about.
You have up to 100 words to tell us about your ultimate outdoors weekend in the UK or Europe - you don't have time to fly to the Andes (sorry) - and quite simply, we'll pick our favourite and make it happen.
Maybe you want to fly out to Chamonix on the Friday, climb Mont Blanc then descend the Vallee Blanche on skis? Or perhaps you've always wanted to tackle a multi-pitch rock route in sopme gargantuan French limestone gorge. Then again you might yearn to take a two-day sea-kayaking trip through the Norwegian fjords?
Starting to get the idea? And don't feel you have to leave the country. You could just as well choose to hop the sleeper to Fort William then climb Tower Ridge with a guide before bivvying onto the summit after a barbecue supper. In other words, Playtime Is Back, Big Time! The only limit is your imagination.
THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED. OUTDOORSMAGIC AND KEEN ARE REVIEWING THE ENTRIES TO FINALISE THE WINNERS AND THE LUCKY PARTICIPENTS CHOSEN WILL THEN BE NOTIFIED IN DUE COURSE.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART.
Charlie, a friend and ex- mountaineer and fell runner, now sadly suffers from a debilitating heart condition which prevents him from walking up stairs, never mind anything else. He takes a vicarious pleasure in hearing about me walking up peaks that he used to run up. If I won I'd love to recreate one of his favorite challenges - The Lochaber Traverse. Here's hoping.
Posted by Simon Daniels 01/07/2012 at 07:48
The end of my ultimate weekend-The ache in your shoulders as you take the backpack off, sore, hot feet. The smell of the heather on your clothes, flashback to those impossible stars from your high camp. Unpack the rucsac- the ready meal in the pan you couldnt quite clean that tasted like the best meal ever sat outside your tent. The memories fading, when can I get back
Posted by Dave Eardley 30/06/2012 at 07:39
In 1997 & 1999 I spent some of the best days of my life on holiday in Ibiza. Soaking up the sun lay on the beach, playing in the sea and by night taking in all that it had to offer (well not quite all) ;-). I was 18 at the time. Now I'm 33 and lifes not as simple as I fell ill in 2010 and almost died. I'm ok now but have let everything I liked go. I would love to get some good memories back. We shall see and no better place to start than watching the sun go down outside Cafe del Mar :-) Thankyou :-)
Posted by lee preston 29/06/2012 at 21:08
I would love to go to France to go to the Asterix theme park. I love rollercoasters and wild rides and this seems to have them all. I also enjoy the sunny weather in France!
Posted by Joshua Kenworthy 29/06/2012 at 15:11
Wild, walking, waves, wind. I'm another whose dream would be the Lofoten Islands. It would be like visiting a sweet shop, so I'd just have to try a bit of everything and see how my Keen kit copes! Oh, and as it is my weekend it will be a long one ;-), as it is the only way to fit things in. So, in no particular order, would involve 1) climbing a major peak (overnighting to Hermannsdalstinden would be perfect, if possible), 2) experiencing the Maelstrom by boat, and 3) having my first taste of paragliding (I think not from the top of Hermannsdalstinden!). Then I'd have a 3rd part to my prize: an enormous grin :-)
Posted by wizard 29/06/2012 at 11:37
I would like to wild camp on Cadar idris and be on the summit before any one else, to enjoy a cup of tea snd some malt loaf before heading back down to see if I was brave enough for a swim in the lake.
Posted by Brian The Giraffe 28/06/2012 at 21:10
If I was a top climber my dream would be to climb the north face of the Eiger. Probably fortunately for my self preservation I'm not. But to get a taste of it I'd love to get permission to get off the mountain train at the Eigernordwand station and peer out of that famous door over the north face itself. What a chance to experience the amazing beauty and utter bleakness of the place whilst attempting to appreciate the hardship mountaineers have faced. Walking the Eiger Trail would then be a great way to bring us back to reality.
Posted by paul allen 5 28/06/2012 at 20:08
I'd love to walk as much of the Trail of the Eagles' Nests as possible in two days.
I planned to do it a few years ago, but picked the week everywhere flooded...
Beautiful scenery, Castles, Cliffs and valleys tick all my adventure boxes, and then back to Krakow for fabulous food and a few shots of Żubrówka, perfect!
Posted by merdoom 28/06/2012 at 20:05
would be camping in the woods with the family cooking over an open fire and sat up around the fames talking and telling storys all night the next day would be spent mountin biking around the forest and fishing in a lake with some horse riding along the way : )
Posted by lindac123 28/06/2012 at 19:30
Smart trike to the local park, hurdle across the climbing frames and down the slides, go exploring in the local wood in search of squirrals. Then get a nice ice cream on the way home - well I have a one year old - that's about as adventurous as it gets :)
Posted by caroline kelly 28/06/2012 at 15:36
My dream would be for my family to cycle the Mercian Way in Shropshire. It's not a really difficult route but I am about to get my very first bicycle since I was a child and I think this would be a gorgeous route for me tackle as my very first attempt at biking! Like you say, I spend too much time sat at the computer so this is a great way to get my family out and active. Just the thought of the freedom is making me smile already!
Posted by Mandy Mason 2 28/06/2012 at 14:38
To para phrase Cherry-Garrard: "Man hankers after hazardous journey. . bitter cold, long hours of complete day-time or darkness. Safe return is in part down to the Polar Bears. ...recognition in event of success? My pictures and memories are reward enough". Where I want to venture is to go trekking to the last permanently habituated place in the northern hemisphere: the Svalbard islands, Norway. If that last sentence doesn't stir the dormant nomad within, doesn't re-ignite your own furnace, stay at home & view my images and resultant words, for this is my dream & I will gladly share with you.
Posted by Fata Morgana 28/06/2012 at 14:14
I'd like to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland with the sun shining. On the 2 times i've done it, The first time (May 2001) it was snowing , the second time (Sep 2008) it was strong winds and lashing with rain - we still had a picnic and champagne at the top for my wifes 50'th birthday !!)
Posted by david buckley 28/06/2012 at 12:58
I would love to experience adventures and excitement of PortAventura theme park. I am an adrenallin junkie as far as fair rides go and i am sure this will hit the spot for me. When i get a bit hot its time to head to the aquatic park and chill but i am sure the slides will becon me!
Posted by lisa williams 3 28/06/2012 at 12:10
Coming to this late so might not get enough "likes" to win but I'd spend the weekend in Buttermere where I first met fellow OMer Elaina (aka TBW!). Not been back since we met on what was for both of us our first OM meet seven years ago. Might opt for a bit of luxury this time by staying at the Fish Inn rather than the campsite! Would go for a walk along Red Pike, High Stile, and High Crag finishing on Wainwright’s favourite hill Hay Stacks followed by a romantic meal and a pint or two of real ale.
Posted by AT (http://AyrshireTiger.wordpress.com/) 26/06/2012 at 23:26
Mines would be to have me OM buckos join me fer a scurvy pirate adventure to th' Isle 'o Rum, take over th' castle 'n be off in search 'o treasure over th' rugged Rum Cuillin. Aaaaarrrrrggggg me hearties
Posted by That Blonde Woman....... 26/06/2012 at 23:18
I was going to say I'd love to spend the morning quad biking to the top of a hill in the Brecon Beacons or the Peak District then spend the afternoon paragliding from the top - but i'd be afraid i'd win the competition and would absolutely brick myself!! So ....... a slightly less scary adventure would be to visit Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley, Herefordshire to do some climbing/abseiling on the limestone cliffs , do some gorge walking and finally be lowered down into Pancake Caves - whoo hoo.... And Milly would have to come too :-)
Posted by Little Miss Maria 26/06/2012 at 22:46
taking a small boat to Fingals cave, staffa nature reserve and Treshnish Islands would be fantastic, taking time to stop and hike where possible
Posted by marie yeardley 26/06/2012 at 18:47
Trekking all over the Yorkshire Moors, taking in sights of the great outdoors, stop at a pub for a bite to eat, take a short rest - oh, my weary feet! Find a nice camp site to put up my tent, under the stars - would be heaven sent. A good night's sleep and we're on our way, for another adventurous Yorkshire day.
Posted by Maralyn Smith 26/06/2012 at 17:17
I'd love to stay in a place called Bensfield Treehouse and then go to the nearest Go Ape. Staying in the treehouse would be an adventure and I've always wanted to try Go Ape.
Posted by Katie Pike 26/06/2012 at 15:23
