The programme for Keswick Mountain Festival 2014 has been announced, with a full line-up of outdoor activities, live music, expert speakers, adventure films and sporting events set to take place this Spring. Running from 15 – 18 May in the heart of the Lake District National Park, the four-day event will play host to climbing big name and high altitude …
Piolets d’Or 2014
This year’s Piolets d’Or mountaineering awards are fast approaching, with a long list of climbers and internationally renowned alpinists hopeful of winning the coveted title. Held in Chamonix, France and Courmayeur, Italy from 26 – 29 March, the event celebrates the greatest ascents and mountaineering achievements of the last 12 months, with a jury of mountain experts deciding on those …
Woman to attempt world’s hardest ice route
Three times ice climbing world champion and Berghaus sponsored athlete Angelika Rainer will soon attempt to scale one of the world’s hardest ice routes, and if successful will become the first woman ever to complete the climb. Located on the Helmcken Falls in British Columbia, Canada, ‘Wolverine’ is a bolted single pitch route which lies within an ice cave. First …
Teen is youngest to reach South Pole
Teenage adventurer Lewis Clarke has become the youngest person to successfully ski trek from the coast of Antarctica to the geographical South Pole, at the age of 16. The record attempt, which Clarke began on December 2 last year, saw the 16-year-old journey more than 700 miles across the Antarctic ice sheet amid temperatures of -50C and wind speeds of …
Aquapac launch new waterproof daypacks
Outdoor gear manufacturers Aquapac have recently launched a waterproof daysack said to provide 100% protection from wet weather conditions. Lightweight and durable, the Toccoa Daysacks form part of Aquapac’s new TrailProof range, and feature all-welded construction seams and water-tight closures giving them the ability to cope with torrential rain and all but complete immersion in water. Made from tough and …
New outdoor skills courses announced
Hillwalkers and mountaineers can brush up on their outdoor skills this spring, thanks to the launch of two new Hill and Mountain Skills training courses. Fully accredited by Mountain Training UK, the two-day courses are set to take place at locations across North Wales, including Snowdonia National Park and the Clywdian range locale, and will equip beginners with the skills …
Parks is fastest ever Brit to South Pole
Welsh adventurer Richard Parks has become the fastest ever Brit to reach the South Pole during an unsupported solo journey. The former international rugby star reached the Pole at 5.24am on January 4 after skiing 715 miles from the geographical coastline of Antarctica. With a total time of 29 days, 19 hours and 24 minutes, Parks managed to set …
New routes added to Great Glen Way
Hillwalkers can soon take advantage of additional hiking routes forming part of Scotland’s Great Glen Way, thanks to a £1m upgrade of the path. The 79 mile long distance walking route, which runs from Fort William to Inverness taking in Ben Nevis and Loch Ness, is currently undergoing work to revamp the trail. Alterations include path realignment and new track …
EOCA notes progress in 2013
The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) – a charity comprising 110 outdoor companies (including Trek & Mountain) which works to raise money to protect and restore wild spaces – has released details of its accomplishments in 2013. So far this year, the EOCA have seen a 39% growth in membership, while their website has counted 134,600 visits. The charity now …
Alpinists make first ascents in Nepal
American alpinists Scott Adamson and Christopher Wright have made first ascents of two 6500m peaks in the northwest corner of Nepal’s Khumbu region. The pair established the new routes earlier this year during a month spent on the Lunag Glacier in the Nepalese Himalaya. After setting up base camp at 5050m on October 10, the men headed first for the …