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Alpine Dawn looking east from Mitellruck above Sass Grund and the Simplon Pass |
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Mountain Matters
Greetings!Welcome to an occasional newsletter from West Coast Mountain Guides, 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. Guest testimonials on our home page are worth considering if you need some positive feedback about our courses. West Coast Mountain Guides.
What do we do?
Just recently I was talking to someone who felt that the activities on offer were far in excess of what they were looking fo  r. So, in an effort to clear that impression, please be assured that West Coast Mountain Guides offer a wide range of services from assisting with Three Peaks Challenges with Marie Curie and smaller individual charity groups to climbing Alpine 4000m peaks and everything in between. This last year we have walked the West Highland Way, been involved in making a thriller movie, visited Nigeria to try and encourage climbing in some areas, organised short, half-day walks to Steall Waterfall in Glen Nevis, climbed steep ice on the North Face of Ben Nevis and ascended Mt Blanc and the Matterhorn. Truly a company for all levels.
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Summer Summits
Summer has most certainly left us now and the season in the Alps was of a mixed nature, with very hot weather initially, followed by unsettled and then colder weather after mid-July onwards.
The photo below was shot on a very cold and windy evening from the highest hut in the Alps (Margherita Refuge) at 4500 metres. The Matterhorn is obvious on the left side of the image. The Monte Rosa massif continues to be a popular venue and bookings are already being made for 2011.
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Thinking of Winter
Bookings for next winter are now being taken and prices are held at last years level.
Last winter was generally accepted as being the best for a very long time. Some older locals in Fort William felt the last period with such prolonged spells of good snow cover and cold weather had been 1947!
Point Five Gully had been climbed in seven months of a year from November 2009
until May 2010. Scottish ski-ing had probably it's best year on record and Cairngorm opened on 21st June for the day!
Steall Waterfall, which rarely freezes was in condition for long periods and even
re-froze after a mid-winter thaw. Also, some very large avalanches occurred,
unfortunately with tragic consequences.
Medium to long-term forecasts for the winter ahead are suggesting colder weather and snow into November. A number of online forecasts are available. One which I look at regularly is The Weather Outlook
A view from the top of Fiacaill Buttress over the cliffs of Coire an t-Sneachda. At times last winter many of the routes in this area were buried by vast accumulations of snow.
The Grey Corries seen from the top of Aonach Mor. Quite a few trans-Scotland
ski trips were made under the very favourable conditions.
Climbers above, approaching the plateau on Fingers Ridge in the Cairngorms.
| Climbing on Tower Ridge. Click the photo as a link to a video of climbing this route |
Topping out under the cornice along a tenuous traverse on Aonach Mor.
On final pitch of Glover's Chimney in wonderful winter 'nick'. One of life's eternal
optimists, an Arsenal supporter ;-)
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Mountain gift vouchers Many folk contact me to produce an image rich voucher, which can be used for an unusual gift. Christmas, birthday or even wedding gift vouchers have been used in the past. Just contact me with an idea of the type of activity and I'll send a draft voucher out for you to look at. Anything from a special Munro to a difficult climb, summer or winter, Scotland or the Alps.  |
Nuts!!
For the climbers amongst you, check out a comprehensive link on a History of NutsFrom the Needlesports website.
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Your own web sites Some of our guests have websites of their own or are linked to other national sites. Two of interest are at Eight Up and Sally Hyder plus Sally again
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Accommodation in Fort WilliamOur accommodation prices for 2011 are remaining the same as this year. Check out Fort William HolidayGear HireEven if you are not staying with us or attending a course we offer Equipment Hireand use of the Bouldering WallMeetings and LecturesOur facilities extend to a small lecture room seating up to fifteen people. A digital projector and screen is available and a wide selection of mountain DVD's and Videos. The whole place is connected for WiFi |
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FAQ
Brief details of frequently asked questions can be found at FAQ
Sponsors - Helpful Retailers - Good GearAn 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 If you land up in Inverness and prefer an old style independent shop instead of the larger apartment store layout.
Mountain Spirit A very good place for getting your Superfeet, custom-fit insoles sorted by Rob, the very knowledgeable and friendly owner, in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park
Freetime for online or when passing through Carlisle.
Aiguille Equipment are my first choice for rucsacs. No fancy straps. Just simple, comfortable and hard-wearing. Currently I'm using the Zenith for both Scotland and the Alps.
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    Alan Kimber, Director of West Coast Mountain Guides is a member of these associations and licenced to offer mountain activities with AALA. Forty years of mountain experience backs up these qualifications. |
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