A new coast to coast walking route spanning 134 miles across central Scotland is set to open next month. Running from Dunbar on Scotland’s southeast coast to Helensburgh on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde, the new John Muir Way will take walkers along lowland trails passing castles, historic towns, villages and on through Loch Lomond and the …
Everest climbers required to collect 8kg of waste
Climbers of Mount Everest will soon be required to collect 8kg of rubbish on their descent of the mountain, following new rules released by the Nepalese Government. All mountaineers and support staff climbing beyond Everest Base Camp will be affected when the new guidelines come into force next month, a change that will coincide with the start of this year’s …
New guide to Via Ferrata in the French Alps
Guidebook publishers Cicerone has launched a new title detailing Via Ferrata routes in the French Alps. Featuring 66 routes between Geneva and Briancon, the 352 page paperback first introduces readers to the geographical area and route grading system of the Via Ferrata – which comprises a technical grade, exposure rating and remoteness factor – before focusing on necessary equipment and …
First female ascent on Helmcken Falls
Berghaus-sponsored climber Angelika Rainer has become the first woman to complete a line on Helmcken Falls in British Columbia, Canada. Rainer made the second ascent of ‘Clash of the Titans’ last month after adverse weather conditions meant her primary target – the single pitch ice route ‘Wolverine’, thought to be the world’s hardest – was too dangerous to attempt. Angelika …
Nepal increases security on Everest
Climbers heading for Mount Everest could soon encounter extra security, following the decision by Nepal to deploy a team of security officials at base camp. Heightened security levels on the mountain come as a result of last year’s conflict between European mountaineers Ueli Steck and Simone Moro and a group of Sherpa, after a fight broke out regarding the fixing …
Grant helps team attempt Nepalese face
The winners of this year’s Nick Estcourt Award for mountain exploration have been announced, with the Jannu East Face expedition team taking home a £2000 grant. Lead by Matt Helliker, the four-strong team will use the money to part fund their ascent of Jannu East, an unclimbed 7465m peak in the Kangchenjunga region of Nepal. Heading past the Upper Yalung …
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 …
Kirkpatrick reports on epic Antarctic adventure
T&M columnist Andy Kirkpatrick files a report from Antarctica about his latest adventure, which involved big wall climbing and base-jumping… I was in the climbing doldrums, a trip to the towers of Paine cancelled, no sign of enough work to fund any future adventures, when one evening an email popped up on my phone: “Andy. I think I have a …
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 …
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 …