Trek & Mountain had a sneak preview of Patagonia’s latest ‘secret weapon’ – the Encapsil Down Belay Parka – at the recent ISPO Show in Munich, but we’d been embargoed on reporting on it until the official launch day – but that is today, so now we can reveal all! So what’s so special about the Encapsil? Well it’s the …
Lighten up with Keen's Verdi range
Is it time to pack away your winter boots and get on some lightweight footwear instead? Hard to tell with our erratic weather, but with spring on its way (in theory!) there’s a rash of new lightweight walking shoes and boots coming onto the market, and the new Keen Verdi range is the latest to hit the stores. Offering some …
Fiennes abandons Antarctic expedition
Breaking news… the BBC are reporting that Sir Ranulph Fiennes has pulled out of his The Coldest Journey expedition due to getting frostbite during a training exercise. They say that “the 68-year-old was injured after a fall while skiing during training at a base camp in Antarctica. He used his bare hands to fix a ski binding in temperatures around …
Out now – Scarpa Mustang GTX
If you’re looking forward to warmer spring weather then the Scarpa Mustang GTX has arrived in the shops just in time. Touted as offering the best of both world’s – lightweight yet durable – the Mustang is part of Scarpa’s Zero Gravity Range and uses a development of their classic Hi Trail Fly sole unit using the most up to …
New Osprey expedition packs
Designed for expeditions and long distance trekking, the new Xenith and Xena packs from Osprey offer “lightweight yet durable components and fabrics, together with an innovative and super comfortable back-system”. They’re available from spring this year and the two models are gender specific – Xenith for men and Xena for women. Osprey’s AirScape backpanel design with reversed spacer mesh is …
Scottish winter safety advice from governing bodies
With Scotland’s hills and mountains currently at their most beautiful and most challenging, the UK’s mountaineering bodies have issued a joint safety reminder, emphasising the need for preparation before heading out into the mountains. Whether you’re out walking or attempting a technical climb, the presence of snow and ice adds an extra dimension to the risks and rewards of a …
SHAFF line-up announced
The adventure film festival ShAFF kicks off on Friday 1st May and features a feast of climbing and mountaineering films over the weekend. Nick Bullock will be opening the 2013 event with a talk and signing copies of his book, Echoes. In the film version of Echoes, Nick also discusses escaping his life as a prison officer in a high security …
First Berghaus boots with AQ waterproof technology
Berghaus is introducing its own waterproof technology to its footwear range for spring/summer 2013 for the first time. The new Expeditor family includes four hiking boots – two styles for men and two for women – all of which feature AQ waterproof and breathable linings. Designed for two to three season walking, the Expeditor AQ Leather and Expeditor AQ Suede …
ISPO Munich trade show, Day 3
Ross Worthington reports from the ISPO trade show with some of the highlights from Day 3… Gregory have won a ISPO award fortheir latest ski mountaineering pack, the Targhee 32, which has a quick-access back system that allows you entry whilst leaving skis or snowboard attached. The hydration sleeve is fully insulated to prevent freezing and there are hideaway straps …
ISPO Munich trade show, Day 2
Day 2 at the ISPO trade show in Munich found us checking out the autumn/winter ranges from the likes of Odlo, The North Face, Mountain Equipment, Montane, Marmot and Sprayway. The Odlo name is synonymous with synthetic baselayers and the big news in their autumn/winter range is their Muscle Force range of tops and bottoms. Aimed specifically at the ski …