Thursday 4 November 2010

Shortlisted: Berghaus Challenge

Wow, a good day in the office (via the Climbing Works), my workout was cut short by my eagerness to get back to the computer to promote the fact that we have been shortlisted for the Berghaus Adventure Challenge 2011.

Please could you take a second to vote for us, all you need to do is hit the button - no need to fill any forms in!

The link is here: http://www.berghaus.com/en/adventure-challenge/shortlists

This is what we are planning on doing:

The British Mount Hayes Expedition 2011

The proposed adventure, due in May 2011 is to complete a full traverse of the large and remote Mount Hayes (4216m) in eastern Alaska. For this mountaineering adventure, the party of 3 aim to travel by air taxi to the nearest glacial approach then travel by ski to establish a base camp. The group will seek the best conditions to establish the best route to achieve the objective. A full traverse of this rarely climbed mountain would be the first of its kind. it is likely that the party will come across significant but achievable mountaineering and skiing challenges.

Thanks for voting.

Monday 1 November 2010

Oct 30-31: Beginner Navigation

Oct 30-31: Beginner Navigation Course, Peak District

11 course participants this weekend with another popular Beginner NNAS Navigation Course at Pure Outdoor. Two really great groups this weekend with Becky leading one group and me with the other.

We spread out somewhat and ventured around Eyam, White Edge, Froggatt and Back Tor.

Revised Right Way in A Day Gift Packs now available, ideal for Christmas. Have a look here

The Beginner Navigation Course page can be found here:

http://www.pureoutdoor.co.uk/Courses/beginner_navigation_course.php

Wednesday 27 October 2010

4 for 3 on RWIAD Gift Packs

4 for 3 on RWIAD (Right Way in a Day) Gift Packs

New to 2010 is the 'Right Way in a Day' Gift Pack. Just in time for Christmas.

The RWIAD pack includes:

- Course Handbook (printed and enclosed in Pure Outdoor RWIAD Folder)
- Gift Voucher to redeem on a 'Right Way in a Day' Peak District Navigation Course during 2011. Valid on all course dates up until end May 2011.
- Pure Outdoor course brochure
- Silva Ranger 3 Compass (worth £17.95)

RWIAD_PAck

All for just £65.00 including Delivery (Packaging does not have Pure Outdoor graphics)

Compass in photo not exact model.

November promotion: Buy 3 Gift Packs and get a 4th pack for free.

Course Gift Voucher can be redeemed on the following dates:

2011

Friday 4th March - Peak District
Saturday 5th March, Peak District
Saturday 26th March, Peak District
Friday 1st April - Peak District
Saturday 9th April, Peak District
Saturday 23rd April, Peak District
Monday 25th April - Peak District
Monday 2nd May -Peak District (Bank Holiday)

Monday 25 October 2010

Oct 23-24: Beginner Climbing Course


October 23rd-24th Beginner Climbing Course

What a great weekend with Jackie, Drew, Jason and Liam.

We went to Burbage North on Saturday (in the rain) followed by the Climbing Works. On Sunday we went to Stanage High Neb. What a perfect day!

We ended up trying our best to overcome Kellys Overhang! Well done Drew for pulling through the roof.

Great weekend with the most climbing innuendo's ever.... I am not sure who was the butt of most of the crack jokes...oh dear.


For more information on Beginner Climbing Courses click below:

http://www.pureoutdoor.co.uk/Courses/beginner_climbers_course.php

For more photos, check out the Pure Outdoor Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheffield-United-Kingdom/Pure-Outdoor/124796844224336

Oct 18-22: Learn to Lead Climb




October 18th-22nd : Learn to Lead Climb course based in the Peak District.

This week I was joined by James and Adam on a Lead climbing week. It turns out the October is THE month for the weather. Ok, it was fairly grim at times, but we also had our fair share of good weather.

We managed to get heaps of climbing in at about 8 venues throughout the week. By the end of the week both James and Adam were fully fledged lead climbers with a fair amount of experience climbing various grades of routes, different rock types and multi pitch climbing.

For more information about lead climbing courses, click the link below:

http://www.pureoutdoor.co.uk/Courses/learn_to_lead.php

Here are a few pictures.


Loads more on the Pure Outdoor Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheffield-United-Kingdom/Pure-Outdoor/124796844224336

Monday 11 October 2010

10th October: BMC Student Seminar

10th October 2010: BMC Student Safety Seminar

I attended the BMC Student Safety seminar this weekend. It was great to catch up with a few regular instructors/volunteers there and discuss the stories of the past year or so.

Dave topping out on Grim Wall

I took Dave and Tim from Cardiff/Swansea climbing at Tremadog for the day. They both were quite established climbers, but we spent time looking at best practice and fine tuning skills for multi pitch climbing. Also we looked at some simple scenarios to prevent problems and explored ways of teaching others. Hopefully they will pass on a great message to other club members. During the day we climbed Grim Wall (VS 4c) and One Step in the Clouds (VS 4C) both stunning classics!



Tim enjoying One Step

Dave looking at different belay set ups on top of Bwlch Y Moch

Oct 9-10: Snowdonia Navigation

October 9th-10th Snowdonia Navigation Course

A small but fantastic group was formed on Saturday morning in Pete's Eats. Here we went over some fundamental beginner navigation strategies and put them to the test during the day.

On Saturday we circumnavigated Tryfan from the Ogwen valley. Looking deeply into the map, the contours on show and lots of different uses of the compass. Unfortunately we came across a chap who had slipped and cut his leg badly at Tryfan Bwlch. Fortunately, we had Ian on hand (Paramedic) who did a textbook job handling the situation. We were all really impressed by the Ogwen Rescue effort and the couple of chaps from MR who appeared very quickly to our assistance.

Looking at aspect of slope

I had a browse of the Ogwen incident log today out of interest. I have not had a look at it for a few years. Seems like it was another busy weekend. I have not had a lot of experience working with Mountain Rescue but it is a truly great service and incidents like this really remind me to put a few extra quid in the coffers when I walk past. Take note, for an incident of this scale, 20 people (volunteers) attended. Hats off to you all.

Here is the incident log if you are interested: http://www.ogwen-rescue.org.uk/incidents/incidents.php

and you can donate here: http://www.ogwen-rescue.org.uk/online_donations/

Sunday was another lovely day and Simon accompanied the team on a day out looking at Micro Navigation. All team members passed. Another successful weekend with great feedback. Thank you very much.


Feedback from this course:

Feedback: The course content was thorough,easily put across and put into practice as the two days developed. very positive,well structured and full of knowledge. Having 15 years of military experience and to refresh my brainb cells in this valuable skill it was a wothwhile course. It is important I found that pre read and study to understand the basic skills is `important so then it can be transfered into practical skills and assessments. Excellent course and group team work.

Feedback: I really enjoyed the two days, they were challenging and fun. I am amazed at what I can now read on a map in detail and am delighted to finally understand truly the value of the compass. Both Guy and Simon were fantastic in their approach and professional in their training. a great and worthwhile 2 days, I will be back for more!!