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Norway - Lofoten Islands
Just home from a wonderful trip to Norway, Lofoten Islands. Whilst this was a rock climbing holiday with three friends, the experience has certainly shown the potential for running summer courses, for guests wishing to avoid some of the more crowded alpine resorts. This area provides more than just rock climbing and has good trekking routes and long easy ridge scrambling. I will be producing a course programme with costings, so keep in touch if you are interested.

Eidetind
Eidetind. We climbed the ridge outlined by light and shade on the left of centre
Mid-night on Lofoten Island
Mid-night on Lofoten Islands 
Stetind - Norway's national mountain. We climbed the normal route profiled on the skyline in the centre, plus the South Pillar, overnight! A similar height to Ben Nevis. 
Dwarf Cornel
A brooding sky which did not materialise into storm, just a tapestry of high Arctic mid-night light.
Catching the sun close to mid-night. Picture by Dave Wilson

Dave Wilson scrambling on the ordinary route of stetind
Dave Wilson scrambling on the ordinary route of Stetind

Steall Waterfall Walk 

The John Muir Trust  raised �25,000 for urgent repairs to the Steall Gorge path, in  a poll organised by the European Outdoor Conservation Association. Thanks to all who voted.     

steall_falls
Steall Falls in Upper Glen Nevis 

Chris Walker Trust
The Chris Walker Trust of which I am a trustee will be running a Lake District Cycle Challenge on 4th August to raise more funds for this worthwhile cause. Some of you will have climbed with Chris Walker in the past, so please consider donating. Or better still, go along and take part. 
Cairo to the Cape
Continuing with the cycling and charity theme, a friend and fellow outdoor instructor, Dan Goodwin will be embarking on a 'monster' journey later this year. I'm even considering joining him for part of the trip in Egypt! Have a look at The Big African Ride

Accommodation and gear hire 

Check out Calluna Self Catering for accommodation if you are considering coming to Fort William or Glen Coe. We have the best drying rooms in town and also a comprehensive stock of gear for hire summer and winter, plus leashless axes for climbing and simple axes for walking. 

Winter Bookings 
Still July but a small number of enquiries are trickling through for next winter. All the dates and prices are updated here
Tower Ridge
Tower Ridge Ben Nevis. Photo courtesy of Pete Waite-Shores
 Also with winter in mind, I recommend a closer look at the
This site not only gives up to date information on the hazard in season, but has a host of tips and archive detail essential to anyone who sets foot on snow covered terrain anywhere. Anyone not familiar with why the Snowdrop Inn is named thus, should  study this link

Alpine Courses
Alpine guiding and courses can still  be arranged up until the end of September.

Alpine Dawn



Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
And finally, I was pleased to be involved in the presentations of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Gold certificates, recently at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. My own award was gained in 1965 and I have a good friend, Dennis Leggett to thank for that. Dennis was my Biology science teacher at the time and here we both are many years later on the lawn at Holyrood Palace on 2nd July 2012. We both still 'scrub up' pretty well after all these years. Thanks Dennis.  

Links - 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.
 
Ardblair Sports Importers Ltd Importers Ltd 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.

Ardblair Sports Importers have started an AKU Facebook page.  If you like what you see tell your friends and confirm.

 
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.

Walk Highlands for a comprehensive list of mountain adventures and information  

 

 

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Alan Kimber

 

 
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