November 28, 2008 at 3:58 pm · Filed under peak mountaineering
We received an email informing us that 11th December is going to be the UN’s International Mountain Day. This day is aimed at ‘raising awareness of the importance of the world’s mountains and highlands and to promote sustainable development in such areas’. There is more info at www.fao.org/mts. We had a look at the site and thought the best bit was the interviews with the mountain inhabitants around the world - though no one from the UK was listed as far as we could see.
Cheers,
Cal
November 23, 2008 at 7:52 pm · Filed under peak mountaineering
The forecast was very accurate today - which meant the weather forced a change of plan for a lot of people in Snowdonia. Our determination to climb something led us to an early start and a quick ascent of Ordinary Route. This was followed equally quickly by a dash to Pete’s Eats to thaw out with hot chocolate and the Sunday papers. We headed home early this afternoon with a plan to stop along the coast for a bit of Autumn beach action and kite flying.
We stopped at Prestatyn and climbed over the sea wall to be immediately met by the full force of those North Westerlies. It was fantastic to watch the power of the sea and feel the force of the weather…..but it wasn’t too long before we were racing back to the car in driving rain….and flying a power kite in that weather would have been suicidal! A great weekend with loads of variety and some very exciting weather.
While we’ve been relaxing Tim has been running an introductory mountain biking course in the Peak District. He called last night to report a fun (but very muddy) day had been enjoyed around the Hayfield circuit. Today the team headed over to the White Peak for some quality riding around Bakewell. Thanks to Mary, Toby, Jen, Sally and Marie for attending and to Simon for running the course - and his patience in dealing with 6 snapped chains and 3 flat tyres!
Hope everyone reading had a great weekend too.
Cheers, Paul
November 22, 2008 at 10:31 pm · Filed under peak mountaineering
The family has come over to Snowdonia for a few days and we woke this morning to light snow on the summits and a very wintery feel. Fortunately our cottage in the Llanberis Pass provides a cosy boltholt - but the disadvantage of this comfort is that when the weather is grim it needs plenty of determination to get out and do something!
Fortunately, we did get organised pretty early and headed for some scrambling action near Capel Curig. Light rain fell for most of the morning but as we got to the top of Clogwyn Mawr at lunchtime it cleared nicely and we got some great views of the Snowdon Horseshoe. Afternoon tea and cakes felt well deserved and tomorrow we plan to head over to Ogwen for some multipitch action…although the Mountain Weather Information Service is forecasting gusting 50 mph northwesterlies and windchill down to -16. We may need to rethink that plan slightly….or just shut the cottage door and watch it all unfold out of the window!
Have a great weekend,
Cheers, Paul
November 14, 2008 at 8:57 pm · Filed under peak mountaineering
I’m gonna write it in a thatched beach hut on a beautiful sun drenched African beach!
In my dreams! That African hut seems like a distant memory as I sit in the office looking out at lashing rain - but the bit about writing is at least correct!
Much of this week has been spent on the boring stuff - accounts, admin and more admin shaken up with a stack of emails and a sprinkling of phone calls, but it has also given me a chance to finish the report from the BMC Technical Conference and to iron out some glitches on an upcoming article about responsible wild camping. Both of them will soon be winging their way to various publications and should be up and running on the website in the next few days too.
I can’t stay inside all the time (not good for creativity!) so earlier in the week I headed out for a fine days multipitch action in Wales with returning clients Ellen and Sue. We had a great day at Tremadog enjoying ascents of Christmas Curry and Oberon - as well as a fine cake eating contest at the end of the day. Sue was looking victorious after the carrot cake but Ellen managed to force down a final slice of flapjack to scrape victory - awesome climbing and phenomenal cake consumption!
Cal and I also met up with long lost buddy Steve at the awesomeness that is Awesome Walls in Stockport for some middle of the day resin action on Thursday. Its all very civilised when you are sharing the place with just a handful of people and we even managed a bit of cake action there too - although nothing to worry professionals like Ellen and Sue. Awesome Wall is all looking very sorted now and it really is worth a visit if you’re one of the 8 people left in the solar system that hasn’t had a chance to check it out yet!
A final bit of outdoor action (all to aid the writing creativity you understand) was a ride in the Hope Valley with Si on Friday. Only 3 hours of riding but throw in Si’s infamous technical challenges and it felt a whole lot longer!
November 9, 2008 at 4:24 pm · Filed under peak mountaineering
Ashdown Forest
I’m just travelling back from the Ashdown Forest where I’ve spent the last 4 days running an expedition training course for a team heading for Borneo next year. The course covered a whole range of skills they may need during their trip including medical issues, equipment choice, navigation, dealing with emergencies, river crossings and hammock use.
Its been a full on few days, especially with the torrential rain that hit the area, but at least it prepared the team for their time in the rainforest! A great team with some exciting objectives planned - my very best wishes for a happy and successful expedition.
November 6, 2008 at 4:08 pm · Filed under peak mountaineering
No. Not the quality cbeebies show. This bits and bobs is just a few things we wanted to tell everyone! So here goes…
- If you missed the heads up about this on our ‘latest news’ section, here it is again…Decathlon are selling the excellent Suunto Altimax Altimeter (or wrist computer as they like to call it!) at the bargain basement price of £79.95. I used one of these for years and always found it to be a brilliant altimeter with all the functions you need amd none that you don’t. True, there is no compass, but in my mind that’s a positive thing - You’ll be carrying one anyway so why have an electronic one as well? A quality altimeter and an absolute snip. Highly recommended.
- Our latest newsletter should be hitting everyone’s inbox next week. If you want to be on our mailing list please fill in your details on the newsletter subscription page or email your details to us. All the latest Peak Mountaineering news and some bargain course details too. Tell your friends and we’ll send them one too!
- Lastly, we are planning a Christmas climbing quiz to be publicised on the website as well as via UKClimbing. Watch this space and be ready for some brain teasing action - and no confering!
That’s it for now.
Cheers,
Paul
November 4, 2008 at 4:49 pm · Filed under peak mountaineering
Gate sign around the Ladybower Reservoir
The window of our office is directly behind our computers. This makes it a light and airy office………but when the weather is good you sometimes find yourself looking outside more than at the screen!
Today was no exception. So, despite a pile of admin and 2 articles to write, I bailed out at lunchtime for a lap of the Ladybower Circuit. Perfect bike therapy. The Derwent Valley is looking fantastic at the moment and the ride was just what I needed to clear the cobwebs. Now I’m back at my desk and its dark outside……no excuses for not concentrating then!!
Cheers,
Paul
