Meeting Familiar Faces
The event kicked off on Thursday afternoon as a host of familiar faces from the dog community arrived in store. Honestly, there’s something quite surreal about meeting dogs you’ve followed online for years - somehow, they already feel like old friends. That was certainly the case when @good.boy.tato walked through the doors and instantly charmed the team.
With Friday’s adventure just around the corner, our trained fitters were on hand to get every dog fully geared up and ready to go. The products being put to the test included the Rock Harness Long and the Trail Light Pack, paired with the Trail Light Belt and Touring Bungee.
Climbing Stickle Ghyll
Although the forecast looked uncertain, Friday turned out to offer far better conditions than expected as the group met at the foot of Stickle Ghyll beneath dry skies and surprisingly clear views. The ascent alongside the ghyll provided the ideal opportunity to put the handled harnesses to the test, with dogs navigating light scrambles, uneven rocky ground, and stream crossings along the way.
Percy Pigs & Lake District Views
At the top of the ghyll, the group was rewarded with stunning views over Stickle Tarn. A few dogs immediately launched themselves into the water for a refreshing cool down, while others took a more composed approach, happily posing against the dramatic backdrop of Pavey Ark.
Following a short break, the route continued anticlockwise around the rear of Pavey Ark, where the harness handles once again proved their worth while helping dogs over larger rocky sections. The final climb led the group into the cloud base, creating a moody and atmospheric finish across the plateau.
As the group made their way towards Harrison Stickle, the clouds finally began to lift, revealing the perfect sheltered lunch spot tucked away from the wind. It was here that Fraser the Dalmatian (@traildoguk) secured his place as the hero of the day, taking on the important role of distributing Percy Pigs to the group, a gesture that was very well received.
The Final Stint
After lunch, the focus shifted towards the descent. Passing beneath Loft Crag, the route opened up to sweeping Lake District views, with Blea Tarn and Lingmoor standing out against the landscape while Lake Windermere shimmered in the distance.
By the time the group returned to the valley floor, one final reward was waiting - the welcoming sight of Lanty Slee’s. With the sun making an appearance, everyone could finally relax with a refreshing drink and a few well-earned light bites.
The following morning, goodbyes were exchanged before attention turned to the final stage of the event: the canicross run.
The group came together once again, greeted by incredible views, great company, and expert guidance for the run ahead. It’s not every day you get the chance to run alongside a European canicross medallist and World Top 10 finisher, but that’s exactly what the group experienced with Georgie.
Our Guide...
As Non-stop Dogwear’s Sales Representative and Product Trainer, Georgie brought an incredible amount of energy, expertise, and passion to the entire weekend. From the very beginning, it was obvious just how much she genuinely loves both the sport and the brand, and that enthusiasm quickly spread throughout the group.
Out on the trails, our own Tom took charge of planning and leading the Langdale loop, guiding everyone along a stunning route that couldn’t have provided a better finale to the weekend.
Throughout the event, feedback on the products was overwhelmingly positive. Both Jacob and Tom commented on how much the Touring Bungee helped soften pulling forces during runs and hikes, while the Trail Light Belt noticeably improved comfort by reducing pressure on the lower back. The storage options on both the Trail Light Belt and Trail Light Pack also proved invaluable, giving both runners and dogs plenty of room to comfortably carry all the essentials needed for long days out on the trails.
Built by the Community
Of course, what truly made the weekend special was the people who attended. A huge thank you goes out to all of the amazing ambassadors:
@lexi_and_bronson
@good.boy.tato
@traildoguk
@trufflethesprocker
@dogwood.hounds
@theyorkshirewhippets
@ronthegsp
And finally, a massive thank you to Georgie for organising such an enjoyable, informative, and memorable event!
See the event in action below!
