May 18th, 2012
The first purpose-built ‘black’ grade mountain bike trail in Cumbria has been officially opened at the Forestry Commission’s Grizedale Forest. The downhill trail, which is more than a kilometre long, was built by a small team of passionate and dedicated volunteers who are mountain biking enthusiasts, supported by the Grizedale Mountain Bikes team and the Forestry Commission’s recreation ranger. Mountain bike trails are graded by colour in a similar way to ski runs – green, blue, red and black – with black being the most difficult and suited only to experienced riders.
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Tags: black grade, cumbria, downhill, forestry, grizedale forest, lake district, mountain biking
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May 16th, 2012
If you’re heading abroad to a winter sports festival this year, make sure you take note of the following points to help you have fun and a trouble free trip! Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: festivals, foreign office, sports, travel advice, travel tips, winter
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May 10th, 2012
The Wild Lochaber Festival, to be held in the Outdoor Capital of the UK (OCUK), Fort William, will be a week-long celebration of the incredible wildlife (at sea and on land) and geology (landscapes and scenery) that can be experienced in Lochaber. Lochaber is an area of stunning natural beauty where you will find the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis; its deepest loch, Loch Morar; and the longest glen, The Great Glen.
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Tags: ben nevis, festival, great glen, outdoor capital, scotland, walks, wildlife
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May 8th, 2012
Demand for our Factor 3 fleece thermal hats and balaclavas has been so overwhelming that we have pulled forward our winter 2012/2013 production by four months. The result is that our Factor 3 fleece balaclava, beanie hat and beanie hat with ear guards are now back in stock – just in time for Springs cold wet and windy weekends!
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Tags: balaclavas, beanie hats, fleeve hats, ski hats, sub zero, thermal hats, warm hats, winter hats
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May 5th, 2012
With the heavy rain we have been experiencing in the UK for the past few weeks, a waterproof sleeping bag cover is the ideal piece of kit for any budding lightweight backpacker. The extremely lightweight waterproof breathable fabric produces a bivvy bag that packs down to 21 x 6cm (8.3 x 2.4″) and weighs only 180g (7oz). Used in conjunction with a Terra Nova Tarp this Moonlite Bivvy Bag will protect you from the worst of the British spring weather.
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Tags: backpacking, bivvy bag, emergency bag, lightweight camping, survival bag, terra nova
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May 3rd, 2012
Taking place between Saturday 19th May and Sunday 10th June, the Suffolk Walking Festival will feature around 30 guided outings including the new Flatford to the Fens five day, 70 mile challenge. Covering much of inland Suffolk, the festival will take in areas around Stowmarket, Lavenham, Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Mildenhall and Ipswich. Graded according to their level of difficulty, the walks range from gentle 2-3 mile country rambles and meanders through ancient villages and towns, to longer and more energetic outings of up to 14 miles through Suffolk’s beautiful countryside.
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Tags: challenge walk, family days out, hiking, suffolk, walking, walking festival
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May 1st, 2012
When world-renowned polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes turned his attentions from the great frozen wilderness of the Poles to the world’s highest and most testing mountains he faced several challenges. In his early sixties and recovering from a very severe heart attack, he had no climbing experience and, not least, suffered from vertigo! This is the inspirational story of how he conquered those fears to summit two of the most dangerous mountains in the world.
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Tags: eiger, everest, mountaineering, polar expeditions, Ranuloh Fiennes, speaking tour
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April 27th, 2012
Nine days of 44 varied walks through the Herefordshire Countryside 16th – 24th June 2012
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Tags: backpacking, family outdoor fun, festival, gloucester, herefordshire, trekking, walking
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April 25th, 2012
Getting the balance right between too much and too little in the way of gear and clothing for a trekking trip is a lot easier with modern fabrics, materials and designs. Variations in temperature and weather pose challenges that can be dealt with quite easily through the flexibility and variety of products available. Although you won’t be carrying all your gear – unless you’re trekking independently – you’ll still need to make a careful choice, especially about the stuff you carry each day.
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Tags: expedition kit, mountain thermal underwear, mountain trekking, trekking advice, trekking socks and shoes
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April 23rd, 2012
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCS) are running a number of one day navigational courses during May and September 2012. The main aims of the course are to increase your confidence in finding your way on hills using map reading and compass bearing skill, with handy hints and techniques to locate yourself in poor visibility. The day will start with a gentle introduction to the theory followed by a practical session on the hill. Ratios are 1:6 and there are spaces for 12 people per course (the minimum age is 18 years). You will need to be equipped for a day out on the hill with food and drink, boots, gaiters, waterproof jacket and overtrousers, warm hat and gloves or mitts and a map case or clear poly bag. Maps and compasses will be provided.
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Tags: climbing, hill navigation, map reading, mounatineering, navigation skills, scotland, walking
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