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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.

West Coast Mountain Guides work closely with Marie Curie Cancer Care. Please consider taking part in one of their worthwhile challenges.

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Ben Nevis Mountain Challenge

 

To reach the top of Ben Nevis is to achieve something truly exceptional. At 1,344 metres above sea level, there is nowhere higher in the British Isles. Marie Curie Cancer Care is, once again, taking people up with the expert guidance of West Coast Mountain Guides. This year there are two dates available in 2011, Saturday June 25 and Saturday September 17.

 

Glen Coe and the Devil's Staircase

 

There are few places more imposing and more majestic than mighty Glen Coe, where this mountain challenge begins. This summer, Marie Curie Cancer Care and West Coast Mountain Guides are taking keen walkers on a 23 mile adventure through the heart of Glen Coe and up the infamous Devil's Staircase. Saturday July 30.

 

For more information on Marie Curie's Mountain Challenges visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/uktreks or call 08700 340 040

 

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Marie Curie Cancer Care Overseas treks

 

Trek Mt Kilimanjaro - Tanzania

 

Discover one of Africa's most magnificent sights, Mount Kilimanjaro - the tallest freestanding volcano in the world and, at 5,895m, Africa's highest peak. For all the information about this incredible challenge visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/kilimanjaro or call 08700 340 040

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Trek to Everest Base Camp

 

Trek along the world's greatest mountain range. Follow in the footsteps of famous explorers and trek to Everest Base Camp. You'll get a glimpse of Sherpa culture alongside the breathtaking surroundings of the Himalayas. www.mariecurie.org.uk/everest or call 08700 340 040

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Bunkhouse
Accommodation in Fort William
Check out our accommodation web site if you are looking for somewhere to stay. We specialise in looking after outdoor folk and have good self-catering facilities, plus efficient drying rooms on site. We also have a bouldering wall with over sixty problems of all grades and guests receive a discount on the wall.
Feedback
You can find details of what some of our guests think about the courses on the new website 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 - Helpful Retailers - Good Gear
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 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.
 

 

   
AALA  LOGO IFMGA  Logo AMI  LOGO BMG
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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