News from West Coast Mountain Guides

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Ben Nevis snows in May

Mountain Matters

Greetings!

Welcome to what I hope will be a series of newsletters, highlighting news, views and opportunities for mountain adventures. This newsletter is being sent to anyone who has contacted me asking for advise on courses. mountain guiding or mountain matters over recent years. Please feel free to unsubscribe if you wish and the link for that can be found at the foot of this newsletter. However, I do hope that the content will prove interesting and encourage you to continue to look out for the West Coast Mountain Guides news. As a keen photographer I hope to inspire you with some good images. Many more photos and stories can be found at the West Coast Mountain Guides Blog

Should you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch via email and I will include your queries and hopefully some sensible answers in future newsletters.

ScottishSeasons

Even now with the longest day not too far off, the Scottish mountains are experiencing snow showers and low temperatures. Fortunately this keeps the beastie midges under cover, especially if there is a breeze about! Summer mountain courses and Private Guiding are in full swing and all levels are catered for, from simple walks to more technical rock climbing.

Midgie Beater

Top tip for trying to evade the mighty midge. Check out Avon Skin so Soft and you get to smell nice as well.

Skye Views

Spring and early summer are popular times for heading to the Isle of Skye and the Black Cuillin Ridge. These two shots were taken from Morar on a recent evening at around 2200hrs, looking across the Sound of Sleat towards the sombre outline of the Black Cuillin Ridge and the Point of Sleat.

On closer inspection from the road over to Glenbrittle, the high Cuillin Ridge shows it's unique character of a high and exposed rocky ridge. No mountain area in Britain comes even close to the grand scale of this range of craggy tops. Certainly no place for novices or those more used to straightforward mountain walks. Details of courses can be found here.

Alpine Trips

Should you be considering learning more about alpine skills and experiences, check out the Alpine Introductory Course This year the course will be based in the Chamonix and valley accommodation will be centred on Argentiere at The White Chalet Some of those taking part are also going on to attempt Mt Blanc after the course is over.

No previous experience of snow and ice is required, as this can be taught on the course. Just make sure you are fit and enthusiastic enough to handle six days of high alpine activity.

Scottish Rock

If you prefer your rock climbing closer to home, please consider some of the Scottish Rock courses All standards are catered for and if you are like many folk these days, looking to leave the confines of the indoor climbing walls behind, Scotland has plenty to go for.

Summer Scrambling and Mountaineering

For the adventurous hillwalker, looking to explore steeper and more exposed ascents towards high Scottish summits. A mixture of simple rock climbing and steep rocky 'hands and feet' walking, ropes are often used and a head for heights is essential. Many people who are not sure of this activity do find it immensely satisfying in overcoming the challenges of steep, but simple terrain. Details of Scrambling and Mountaineering courses

Fort William Accommodation
Our base camp is Fort William and we also offer good accommodation to outdoor folk in the heart of the Outdoor Capital of the UK. Check out Fort William Holiday

to see what is on offer for any size of group up to 26 beds.

On site we also have the best Bouldering Wall in Fort William

Feedback

You can find details of what some of our guests think about the courses at Course Feedback and the self-catering at Accommodation Feedback Please feel free to leave a comment about the accommodation if you have used it.

FAQ

Brief details of frequently asked questions can be found at FAQ

Sponsors and Helpful Retailers

An important area of an outdoor instructor/guides work is keeping up to date with equipment in order to be able to answer a wide range of questions about mountaineering kit. In the ever changing world of equipment this is difficult and that is where some good outdoor manufacturers and retailers come in. There are many and varied outdoor shops and I cannot hope to know all of them. However a few come to mind as being very helpful to our mountain visitors over the years. Some clients have driven many miles of a weekend to get good sound advice and here is a small selection.

Paramo Manufacturers of the best shell clothing I have ever used in 40 years of mountaineering.

Barkers of Ringwood For anyone living in southern England Steve Barker will give them good sound advice, especially on footwear

Ardblair Mountain Sports In particular for AKU footwear which were recommended to me by Steve Barker. If any of you have seen my awkward feet you will know that to find a comfortable pair of boots is not easy for me. The AKU Spider and Spider Lights are very light, warm and comfortable. The Spider is very good for the Alps in my opinion.

Any good pair of boots will be enhanced by proper insoles and I'm convinced that Superfeet Footbeds really help. Go for the custom fit insoles. They may be expensive, but are a good investment towards comfort and stabilisation of the whole body frame.

Needlesports will be well known to anyone visiting the Lake District. Once again sound advice from passionate outdoor folk.

914 Outdoor is worth a visit for anyone on their way to the Isle of Skye, especially as the view towards Eilean Donan Castle in one direction and the Black Cuillin to the west is stunning. Friendly advice and a chance to pick up some last minute kit.

Cioch-Direct on the Isle of Skye made to measure Paramo outdoor clothing is very close to where Norman Collie and John Mackenzie are laid to rest. There is also a good spot over the road for tea and scones.

Mac Mountaineering is my final recommendation for now, if you land up in Inverness and prefer an old style independent shop instead of the larger apartment store layout.

Alan Kimber
West Coast Mountain Guides