header

christams ribbon
Robin
Peace and Happiness

Greetings!
Hi, just a quick note to say I hope your mountain year has been a fruitful one and you have plenty more adventures planned for the coming twelve months. Merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

We are currently experiencing some very snowy, cold winter weather in Fort William and the garden birds are very hungry! Check out West Coast Mountain Guides Blog in the coming months for more news of conditions, walks and climbs in the area.

Should you be struggling for a novel last-minute gift for a friend or loved-one, consider a voucher from West Coast Mountain Guides. Anything from a day's tuition to a full-blown course can be purchased with a bespoke voucher for Christmas day or birthdays. It will arrive with you in time for Christmas day by email.

West Coast Mountain Guides are involved with all levels of mountain travel, from simple lowland treks to high altitude alpine adventures and rely on forty years of outdoor experience, plus a quality service culture to ensure guests receive personal attention at every level.
christams ribbon
canal6003
 
christams ribbon
Turkey
Consider the Turkey this Christmas

Turkey?
christams ribbon

Marking your Gear
For a while now I have been marking my mountain gear with sticky labels from Name Labels  Karabiners, ice axe, crampons, ropes and slings.. It pays off in the long run as I have had gear returned by other climbers who have found it. It's a great way of making sure your pals don't walk off with your kit as well!
  christams ribbon
The Big Freeze
At West Coast Mountain Guides, course prices are being maintained at 2010 levels for next year. This is also the case with the accommodation at Calluna which you can rent even if you are not attending a course.

Denali
christams ribbon
Family Alps
Alan Kimber enjoying a day out with the family. Hannah, Sue and Victoria above Chamonix. Now is the time to consider booking next summers alpine holiday.
christams ribbon
Gear Hire - Winter and Summer
West Coast Mountain Guides carry a good stock of leather winter boots, crampons, axes, harness and helmets for hire Why not try before you buy? We also have some Paramo clothing for trialing.
christams ribbon
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.


 Christmas