Tough Being a YouTuber

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It's tough being a RU-vidr! But despite all the adversity this week, we've somehow managed to visit a mountainside Neolithic axe factory and squeeze a video out of it.
Working, and having to produce one video per week for the algorithm, doesn't always go smoothly. Filming is restricted to days off and if the weather is bad, then what do you do? So, this week we start off with an abortive attempt to locate a scrambling route - known as the Poor Man's Via Ferrata - on Gray Crag in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District. It doesn't work out!
With one day off remaining, it was off to Great Langdale to climb Pike O' Stickle and explore the Neolithic axe factory there - located in a dangerous scree slope, close to the summit. Snow had been replaced by constant rain - making it tough going. Anyhow, we did it and hopefully the footage isn't compromised too much by these appalling conditions.
Watch this to find out about the incredible industry in this remote and challenging place - 5,000 to 6,000 years ago.
Finally a shout out to our friends at:
‪@wessexways‬ and a response to their request to find out what "WC21 (UK) Productions Ltd" stands for.
And you can watch my appearance on the Wessex Ways podcast here:
• Wessex Ways - Butser H...
#youtube #youtuber #neolithic #langdaleaxefactory #greatlangdaleaxefactory #pikeofstickle #pikeostickle #graycrag #viaferrata #poormansviaferrata #lakedistrict
Credits (Where due)
WC21 (UK) Productions Ltd theme tune: Keygenerator - Freesound
Roman Gazette theme tune: 8-bit Win - Velda - Epidemic Sound
The Almanac theme tune: Rush - DJI Mimo
For Serious Rambling Hikers & Scramblers theme tune: 514178 danlucas - Freesound
Coastal Catalogue theme tune: Just Like Magic - Epidemic Sound
The Time Tunnel theme tune: Micro - Epidemic Sound
Compendium of Curiosities: Underbelly - Epidemic Sound
All other music: Epidemic Sound
Lead presenter and producer: Darren Spratt
Cameras
iPhone 13
DJI Pocket 2 Creator Combo
GoPro Hero 8
HoverAir X1
Gimbal
DJI Osmo 6
Tripods
Telesin Mini Selfie Stick
Phot R Camera Video Tripod
Synco Smartphone Video Set Vlog kit
Manfrotto MMCompactADV
Microphones
DJI Mic
Purple Panda Lav Mic
Rode VideoMic Go II
Power
5800Ah Portable Charger for iPhone
Smatree 2022 Power Bank with Tripod for Pocket 2
Charmast Power Bank
Editing
VN Editor
DJI Editor
IMovie
Movie Maker

Опубликовано:

13 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 68

@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian 6 месяцев назад

No need to apologise. The video you managed to release was honest, interesting and entertaining. You definitely had to fight the elements. Such terrain is not for the faint hearted in inclement weather. You deserve many more subscribers. 👏👏👍😀

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thank you Andrew - that's lovely feedback. I normally compose shots more and use the tripod a lot, but both these outings were such that it was just a case of getting the job done! I'm glad you like it and I'm actually really pleased with the end result. Hopefully it's honest and conveys something of how inhospitable these mountains can be in the winter!

@JimChampion 6 месяцев назад

This is brilliant for seeing what it is like up there in winter. I only ever go to the Lake District in the summer when the rain is warmer and slightly less frequent.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thanks Jim. I’m going to return to the axe factory in the summer to see if I can find a rough-out. When my hands aren’t falling off with the cold! It’s definitely true what others have said: the Lakeland fells become proper mountains in their winter coats.

@Oscartherescuedog 6 месяцев назад

It’s like watching that great Irishman Ernest Shackleton on one of his great adventures!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Well I’ll take that as high praise indeed - thank you!

@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling 6 месяцев назад

I was feeling offside and recovering from an eye infection. All I could manage was six roadside trigs, just yards from the car. At least you went and gave it a go. This has been a bad winter. Snow and rain and more rain. I've forgotten my chains before, too, and I've lost a set of chains, too. The best thing to do in these conditions is to go home. That's no fun at all on attempt one. It is amazing that 6,000 years ago, people were in Blighty. Showing my lack of knowledge, where do the Beaker People come into the timeline? It's definitely my type of view. Not every video can be a success, but if you can make a video out of it, then it's a plus. Teasing with the fade out on the WC 😂. Thanks for sharing.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thanks Chris. I seem to forget my chains more often than not in these conditions - even though they live permanently in the boot of the car, next to where I put my boots! You're right, attempt one was not fun and became pretty terrifying! I've found that I get scared more often these days, as I hurtle through my 50s. The Beaker People were coming over in the early Bronze Age, I believe, so this axe factory was in production before they arrived! Incredible to think about that. That scree exists because of an industrial process that took place there when the Lakeland fells were still wooded. Amazing. Although I felt the filming was compromised by the conditions and I didn't get to compose shots in the way I normally do, I actually like the end result and feel that it conveys something of the feel of both adventures. It's been a winter of wind and rain disrupting filming for me, so far. Would be nice to get some clearer, colder days with snow on the tops!

@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling 6 месяцев назад

@WC21UKProductionsLtd armchair hikers need to know the effort you go to in creating these videos. I've had my phone go haywire before when it's got too moist. It can definitely be frustrating at time. Oh for global warming.

@chrish5319 6 месяцев назад

For the first occasion in a long time I actually laughed at the ending, how you managed to lighten the mood at the end of what had been a serious couple of chapters was very amusing. Thank you. A very interesting almost behind the scenes video. I am not a fan of scree slopes. I hope the weather has improved where you are, it is still raining here in the south. I hope you continue to produce these as I enjoy them very much.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thanks Chris! Glad you enjoyed it - in retrospect, I really enjoyed these 2 outings! There will be more!

@liberty_and_justice67 6 месяцев назад

Both attempts had fantastic camera shots. The footage in the snow storm were beautiful and terrifying. The site’s history was interesting, particularly seeing the debris. But, our entertainment is not worth risking your life, which you most certainly did on the first attempt. Want to see a lot more WC21 (UK) Productions videos!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thank you for your kind words there and consideration for my safety! I would not deny that there was risk on the first outing, but I do take care and have been winter hiking for many years. As I move rapidly through my 50s, I've found that I turn back or change the plan quite frequently now. The younger me would have had none of that!

@philcollinson328 6 месяцев назад

Both attempts were very intrepid enterprises, but attempt one was like watching a survival documentary. Wonderful and very brave efforts.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Cheers Phil! It became pretty terrifying on attempt one - these fells become proper mountains in their winter coats. I enjoyed it in hindsight! The second attempt was tough too - that scree was treacherous. It took ages to get to the bottom of it. I’ll revisit it in the summer and search for an axe rough-out. Summer is usually the second week of June in the Lake District!

@philcollinson328 6 месяцев назад

Is there a way to contribute toward your costs for the fuel and travel ? You are the Bear Grills of historians ...If so, say so. You are an amazing character...I wish you'd not attempt these more adventurous rambles alone ...Britain needs you... I'm born and bred from Weardale and know how dangerous an attempt you made...Very naughty travelling alone.

@philcollinson328 Месяц назад

A message from the old days that one...somewhat nostalgic.

@davidberlanny3308 6 месяцев назад

Hi Darren, Brilliant!! It's why I enjoy RU-vid. I don't want fully rehearsed, perfectly polished content. Just people showing what they're doing and sharing their interests and clearly making a great effort to do so. This was perfect for me enhorabuena (congratulations!!). I don't know if you scared the life out of your subscribers but in the first ascent you really had me worried about having to retrace your steps. I guess that the descent was by a well trodden path once you reached the summit. You looked really well prepared for it though. Absolutely fascinating the "celt" mine, I would have been tempted to take an offcut back home with me. Just shows you how developed they were back then to mine it there high up and send it for finishing elsewhere. The ending was a classic, I just knew your battery was going to run out!! One day you'll let it slip!! Thoroughly enjoyed watching, well done. Have a great weekend!!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thanks David! I do normally try to compose shots more and have some variety, but with both these adventures it was just a case of getting it done! I do actually like the end result and feel that it conveys something of the challenging conditions. Yes, the descent from Gray Crag was by a well-trodden path, but it took ages and I slipped over more than once. I have a picture on my Facebook page of the final slide, where I gave up and just helter-skeltered to the bottom! Interesting that you say you would have taken a rock sample home - back in the decades following the identification of the factory, people were regularly finding, and taking the rough-outs home. The current view is that they should be left there. I think I will revisit this location in the summer, when I'll be able to spend some time searching for one, as opposed to just surviving!

@davidberlanny3308 6 месяцев назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtdYes, I fully appreciate the composed shots too of course in those conditions you did really well to film what you did without compromising safety. I would have certainly been tempting to take a sample home however climbing that scree slope would have soon persuaded me otherwise😅😅. It did remind me of a titanite story ....... Please keep us guessing on the WC21. That said I would like some advice as to whether we should address you by saying [WC21 "brackets" UK Productions Ltd] maybe it should be [WC21 "open brackets" UK "close brackets" Productions Ltd] 🤔🤔😅😅😅 I have seen the via ferratas on video down here too, occasionally they appear on my favourite Spanish walking channel GPS Málaga. Short videos set to some great music. Well worth watching - No tweed I'm afraid. Would love to see the via ferrata you were looking for in better weather. All the best!!

@tweedyoutdoors 6 месяцев назад

Really pleased you pressed on and made a video out of this despite all the challenges! Crikey an ice axe! I think it shows what a fair weather hiker I am that I don't own one of those, nor, to be honest, would I really know what to do with one even if I had it. I think the voiceover worked really well and to me the original footage was really striking and remarkable - both outings. The proliferation (and "market dominance") of axes from that site is mind blowing isn't it? Especially considering the distances involved and the huge difficulty/danger of travelling those distances. It's not even as though axes from inferior stone wouldn't have worked at all, so it's difficult to believe there was an entirely practical reason for them being distributed as far and wide as they were. There must have been some sense of elevated status attached to them, surely? Hard not to draw parallels with modern trappings of apparent desirability like iPhones, Gucci bags, Lamborghinis, or undisputed king of all status symbols: tweed clothing.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thanks Tweedy - I'm available for ice axe instruction, whenever you're ready! I'm actually quite pleased with how it worked out and it showed me that I don't always need to work in such an overly complicated way. This was 98% GoPro with a few handheld (no gimbal!) phone shots. And as for shouting at the GoPro's native mic - that was a real revelation! I've actually purchased one of those foam wind-slayers on the back of this outing. The axe factory was amazing - I've only ever looked down there from the top before and it felt a bit like they packed up shop yesterday. Really hard going to get down that scree run and they went back and forth everyday, I guess. The Green Stone is available down the bottom, so there must have been some sort of symbolic and/or status attachment from it being fetched down from the heights of the mountain. As you say, a bit like having an iPhone 15 Pro Max or a fine bespoke tweed suit from Charles Campbell. I was also struck by the thought that the axes they made from the factory there, were used to clear the woodland they had to walk through to get there. I'll go back in the summer (second week of June, usually) and see if I can find a rough-out!

@jameswalksinhistory3848 6 месяцев назад

Enjoyable and emotive -The struggle of making content was turned around with this as you clearly demonstrate with great personality -Well done Darren

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thanks James! It was tough, but I’m pleased with how it turned out!

@markstott6689 2 месяца назад

You definitely need to go back to Great Langdale in decent weather. Up high in sunny weather, it's glorious. 😊❤😊

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 2 месяца назад

I do need to get back to find this Via Ferrata. It’s long been on my list! That was a terrible day and really quite frightening. I have had some sunny climbs in the Langdales, but the winter season is my favourite. Or perhaps I should say, was!

@atrampinthehills.841 6 месяцев назад

Top notch video...showing it real ,like it is out there on the hills.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thank you very much. Two tough outings that were brilliant once I was back home in front of the fire!

@MattMesserPics 6 месяцев назад

You know what? I really liked this one! Lot's of information on those axe-makers and real authenticity. I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to become one of your most viewed videos - possibly against your expectations.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thank you - I'm quite pleased with the end result. I will go back to the axe factory in the summer and do a follow up. Would be good to find a rough-out! Who knows how the mysterious algorithm works - it befuddles me!

@MattMesserPics 6 месяцев назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Yes, the algorithm - It moves in mysterious ways. Just keep going! Who needs views? 😅

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

@@MattMesserPics exactly - I'm doing it for the love of doing it!!

@davie941 6 месяцев назад

hi again Darren , looks like you had great weather lol, you still gave us a good interesting video, really well done and thank you 😊

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Cheers Davie! It was tough going, but worth it - glad you enjoyed! Looks like this week is going to be a challenge too!

@ethicalbunny 6 месяцев назад

This gave me anxiety 😂😂 I can’t believe you went up that snowy ridge without spikes or down that gully 😬 the 🌨️ in the UK never plays ball … hopefully we will have a good summer!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Sorry. Perhaps I should have put a warning on this one! I got back in one piece and my wife didn't have to issue the prepared statement, which reads: "it's what he would have wanted". Thanks for watching and yes, here's to a good summer!

@keithm603 6 месяцев назад

Your productions might inspire others, good to show the bad conditions, as new explorers need to be aware of potential conditions they may encounter. I now wonder how long you can keep the name suspense going, may be a reveal when you reach some great subscriber count, as I feel you will.

@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian 6 месяцев назад

The mystery of the enigmatic channel name deserves to be revealed. But then again, I do like the suspense and hope it continues for quite some time. 🫣

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

It would be nice to be an inspiration! It was tough to keep going with the filming on attempt one as my hands were frozen and I was wondering how I was going to get up to the summit. In hindsight, I should have perhaps retreated the way I came, but having said that, once you’ve climbed a rock face, that’s not always the safest option. Sadly, I think the name reveal will be a big disappointment, so perhaps I should quietly drop it?! Or invent something exotic! Perhaps a 1,000 subs competition and others can decide!

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

I’ll keep it running for a few years. Will give me time to think up something better than the truth!

@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian 6 месяцев назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd 😂

@keithm603 6 месяцев назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Like many I do have my own theory, but then I'm usually wrong.

@sonsoffalstaff2600 6 месяцев назад

You bloody hero. In the true tradition of the Victorian Gentleman Amateur.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Cheers! Both these outings were pretty arduous. Really glad I experienced the axe factory in those conditions and I have nothing but respect for our Neolithic ancestors who worked in such a dangerous place.

@sonsoffalstaff2600 6 месяцев назад

@@WC21UKProductionsLtd Not necessarily under the same climatic conditions. Now there's a contentious point.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

@@sonsoffalstaff2600 oh yes, that is an interesting idea, isn’t it. I suspect the woodland they were clearing in the Lake District was temperate rainforest.

@MosquitoFood 6 месяцев назад

I love the humility and humor. Next time, ski goggles.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thank you. That’s a really good suggestion. I’m going to get some!

@jenniferharrison4319 6 месяцев назад

Now then WaterCloset21, that was some spectacular climbing. First half I’m thinking OMG what is he doing up there 🥶😬 Second half, hat’s off to you going up to the Pike in inclement weather especially as it is a gruelling walk up and down, at least it was for me last June, at 71. I had people running past me 🤣. There probably was something sacred or ritual about sourcing the stone from the highest peaks, Scafell also., especially as there was suitable stone lower down. We can only imagine what it was like back then.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

You've worked it out! WaterCloset21 (UK) Productions Ltd - my cover has been blown! Yes, it must have held some special significance to go to all that effort. The same stuff is available lower down, as you say. And as for the distribution - mind boggling really. Thanks for watching!

@LeslieGilpinRailways 18 дней назад

Still catching up your back catalogue. I was expecting the Mountain Rescue to come looking for you! Especially on the first ascent. Lakeland sunshine eh? Agree we RU-vidrs do our bit of getting wet - at least I dont often need the scrambling bit but it's a tough job on the 'tube. Only one video a week? Wait until the enthusiasm overtakes you and it feels like a job.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 18 дней назад

I was thinking about this video yesterday - I still haven't been back to find that scrambling route - I must correct that. In some ways, this does feel like a job! I spend a lot of time researching and the editing process only ever seems to get more time consuming. I made a mistake with the title of this video. It should have been something like, "Ancient Axe Factory" - would have probably done better. Cheers.

@hedleythorne 6 месяцев назад

Superb video, liked. Hope you liked my "as live" commentary via SMS. Thanks for the Wessex Ways shoutout. My God those conditions up in the mountains- I would have put all my effort into every step just to prevent a fall. Good work Sir.

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thanks Hedley and yes, the live feedback was great fun!

@Simonjose7258 4 месяца назад

🎉

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 4 месяца назад

Thanks Simon!

@philcollinson328 Месяц назад

Thanks

@WC21UKProductionsLtd Месяц назад

Cheers Phil! A bit of an overlooked gem this. Made a mistake with the title. Should have been something like, “Terror in the Neolithic Axe Factory!”

@thebeatentrack156 6 месяцев назад

Scary 😨

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

It was! But I enjoyed it in hindsight! Thanks for watching.

@mad-about-scotland 6 месяцев назад

Just stumbled across your channel, watched this video, I loved how you ended it and now I really want to know what WC stands for 🤣 Totally agree that it's tough being a RU-vidr. Especially when we hold down full time jobs, do it all for free and every now and then we have to accept the odd shit comment 🙂 So long as we're having fun then its all good. You just gained a new sub. Cheers

@WC21UKProductionsLtd 6 месяцев назад

Thank you! Yes, all the unpaid RU-vidrs together! I love doing this, but it does get a bit pressurised sometimes with the old weekly upload commitment thing and you’re filming/editing a few days in advance of upload date. The weather is the biggest cause of problems for me in that regard. Glad you enjoyed it and thank you very much for subscribing.

@mad-about-scotland 6 месяцев назад

Same. We also do a weekly video so I feel your pain 👍