A peak on the Isle of Skye previously classified as a Munro has been demoted following a new measurement taken using GPS technology. In order to gain Munro status, peaks must reach a height of at least 3,000ft or 914.4m, but according to a recent measurement taken by surveyors on the summit, Knight’s Peak came in just 16.5cm or 6 …
'Distilled' wins People’s Choice Award at KMF
The latest film from Hot Aches Productions, starring world-renowned mountaineer Andy Cave, has won the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Kendal Mountain Festival. Sponsored by outdoor brand Lowe Alpine, ‘Distilled’ examines why the Scottish Highlands are such a special place to climb in winter, and simultaneously tells Cave’s story which is itself inextricably linked to Scottish winter climbing. Written …
Powertraveller unveil new website
UK brand Powertraveller, known for their portable power products, have launched a new micro website featuring the adventures of their professional outdoor ambassadors. Users can access the site via the main Powertraveller webpage, where they are able to view biographies, images, expedition videos and social media updates from each athlete. Ambassador profile pages, which so far include those of mountaineer …
New avalanche forecasts tested in Highlands
The Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) are set to trial a new avalanche forecast for Torridon in the Northwest Highlands this winter. Forecasts will run intermittently from December to February, giving climbers and winter hillwalkers warnings of avalanches north of the Great Glen, in an attempt to make winter walking even safer. Currently, the SAIS provide daily winter avalanche forecasts …
New leader for Mountain Rescue team
A mountain rescue team in Cumbria has a new team leader. Stepping up to the role is Dave Howarth, who replaces former leader Eddie Harrison as head of the Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue team. Howarth thanked Mr Harrison, who resigned from the role after four years as head of the team, for his contribution and commented that he would …
New book recognises early women mountaineers
A new mountaineering title detailing the historical achievements of women mountaineers has recently been published. Written by Malcolm Craig, ‘Shackles of Convention, Women Mountaineers before 1914’, explores the contributions made by women to the early history of mountaineering, challenging the view that the sport has always been dominated by men. Craig writes how female mountaineers were largely overlooked during the …
BMC launch student friendly courses
The British Mountaineering Council are soon to launch a series of subsidised courses tailored to help students and freshers get the most out of climbing and hill walking. Set to launch in 2014, the two-day long courses will aim to provide novice club members with the skills to become self-sufficient out on the hills. Tuition will take place at the …
Government fund new walking projects
A sum of £1.2million has been awarded by the UK Government to help fund new walking projects across the country, in the hope of tackling the inactivity crisis in England. Five cities, including Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, Manchester and Norwich, have each been given a grant of £200,000 following a review by the Department of Health. Now thought to be one …
Entry opens for Fjӓllrӓven Polar 2014
Entry is now open for next year’s Fjӓllrӓven Polar, a 300km Arctic event which will see participants travel by dog-sled from Signaldalen, Norway to Jukkasjärv in Swedish Lapland. Named after Swedish outdoor brand Fjӓllrӓven, the free, three-day-long winter adventure will lead competitors across the Arctic tundra before camping in the wilderness alongside resident survival expert Johan Skulman. For the chance to win …
Prince Harry prepares for Antarctic trek
Following a royal send off from Trafalgar Square last week, Prince Harry and a group of wounded servicemen and women are now on their way to Antarctica, where they will undertake a charity trek to the South Pole while raising funds for wounded troops. On reaching the ice sheet, the Walking with the Wounded team (WWTW), of which Prince Harry …