Alpine equipment experts PHD have just announced the launch of their lightest sleeping bag to date. The Filler weighs in at 240g, and has been developed using ultra-lightweight 10X fabric with 900+ fill power down within the quilted inner and outer shells. This means the bag should have an operating temperature of around 15˚C, and can be used either alone …
Alan Hinkes: Climbing the World’s Highest Mountains
Legendary climber Alan Hinkes – the first Brit to scale all 14 mountains over 8000m – is soon to release a new mountaineering title. The book, 8000m: Climbing the World’s Highest Mountains: All 14 Summits, will document Alan’s journey for the first time since he completed the challenge in 2005, as he battles arctic temperatures, horrendous weather conditions and struggles …
Stricter guidelines set for Everest expeditions
Climbers on expedition to Mount Everest will face tighter regulations as of next year, when Nepalese government officials are to be stationed on base camp. The decision follows the conflict faced by mountaineers Ueli Steck and Simone Moro earlier this year, when the pair were attacked by a group of Sherpas after allegedly triggering an ice fall at 24,500ft. Precautions …
Alpine glaciers protect peaks from erosion
Scientists studying Mont Blanc and its surrounding glaciers have discovered that glacial ice atop these summits protect the peaks from erosion. Findings indicate that glacial ice acts as a protective lid, effectively sheltering mountain rock from the elements, most importantly rain and water damage. At the highest points, ice freezes to the rock and does not contribute significantly towards erosion. …
Páramo release new Men’s and Ladies’ combo jackets
Outdoor clothing specialists Páramo have recently released the new Men’s Bora and Ladies’ Zonda Fleece/Windproof jacket combos, designed for hill walkers and the ‘active traveller’. Breathable and lightweight (less than 650g per combo), these garments have been designed to work separately as a standalone fleece or mac, or together as a fully waterproof and windproof protection layer. Created using a …
Youngest crossing of Iceland on track
Two school friends from Downside School in Somerset are hoping to be the youngest adventurers to complete a full crossing of Iceland on foot, to raise money for international charity Mary’s Meals. William White and James Hobbs, both 17, started out from the island’s southernmost point earlier this month (Wednesday July 3) and hope to arrive at their end point …
Trek to Everest… virtually
Renowned mountaineer David Breashears and his GlacierWorks organisation have launched an online experience called ‘Everest: Rivers of Ice’ in conjunction with Microsoft. Using the latest functionality in Internet Explorer 10, Breashears and GlacierWorks have created an immersive, multi-touch exploration platform showcasing David’s life of mountaineering, filmmaking and photography in the Himalayan region. So what does it do? Well ‘Everest: Rivers …
Arc'teryx announce first UK stand-alone store
Arc’teryx have announced plans to open their first stand-alone store in Europe, to be run in partnership with Snow + Rock. The shop will be located in St Martin’s Courtyard in London’s Covent Garden, and opens in August. Covent Garden is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and St Martin’s Courtyard is a unique and stylish shopping and dining destination in …
Garmin announce Android-powered GPS
Garmin have announced a WiFi-enabled outdoor handheld GPS that uses the Android operating system, called Monterra. From now on users can easily access the Google Play Store, download apps through an available WiFi connection right onto their outdoor optimised Garmin handheld and enjoy new ways to explore the great outdoors. Garmin will be showing the Monterra the very first time …
New Houlding/Lee film trailer goes live
The trailer for the next cinematic epic from Leo Houlding and Alastair Lee can now be viewed at www.thelastgreatclimb.com In the film, Houlding and his climbing team of Jason Pickles and Sean Leary travel to the Antarctic to attempt to scale the NE Ridge of Ulvetanna (‘The Wolf’s Tooth’) which is the hardest climb on the most inhospitable continent on …