Blind Mountaineers need sighted guides!

Have you ever wondered what it is like climbing mountains without sight?

The Milton Mountaineers charity group for blind hill walkers is staying at Glenmore Lodge from Thursday June 4th till Monday June 8th.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the group, ten blind and ten sighted members hope to climb three mountains during the weekend, Mael a Buchaille, Cairngorm and Ben MacDui. We would like some extra sighted guides to allow for flexibility in swapping walking partners, and to enable the group to meet some local people who are willing to share their love of the countryside and mountain scenery by describing it to their blind walking companion.

A briefing about sighted guiding techniques will be given at the beginning of each walk.

If you would be willing to volunteer for one or more of the climbs, please contact the group organiser for more information:

David Carrington-Porter
Organiser, Milton Mountaineers charity group for blind hill walkers

0121 665 4220 Direct Line
Mobile: 07909 927483
E-mail: david.carrington-porter@actionforblindpeople.org.uk

posted by glenmore @ 1:47 PM  0 comments

Pete Hill has sent us the news that AMI is supporting a Tooling Series in the south which he is co-ordinating. This is great news and will get you all ready for the one is Scotland starting in October.

The dates are the main details, Guildford still to confirm. There will be a BBQ at the Keswick event, categories of up to 17, 17-40 and over 40 for blokes and birds, accommodation available at the Lodge and near to Keswick wall. Usual tooling rules exist (if I've remembered them all), new style holds from Scotty, entry open to AMI members and guests, which means just about anyone, bookings through me on pete@petehillmic.com, payment on the day of £15.00.

We will keep you updated as and when Pete tells us

posted by glenmore @ 4:28 PM  0 comments

System X Announces the Astral Greenjacket PFD
Approved by the US Coast Guard, and available from all good UK kayak dealers, this highly anticipated whitewater rescue jacket continues Astral’s legacy of producing truly innovative and environmentally considerate buoyancy products for kayakers.
The Greenjacket is the successor to Astral’s popular Aquavest 300 and Wonderpro series, and is designed on the platform of Foam Tectonics where the front buoyancy panels are split into two parts. This separation enables the paddler to have unrestricted freedom of movement and to customize the height of the front panel. The Greenjacket is offered in three size options, providing an excellent fit to both women and men. The Greenjacket provides increased back protection over previous models and includes Astral’s signature safety features like an integrated throwbag pocket and spectra safety loop.
The Greenjacket is constructed without toxic PVC and carcinogenic neoprene. All excess raw materials are recycled.
Available colours: Red or Black with Green trim
Sizes: S/M, M/L, L/XL
Retail price: £149.95
For additional information on the Astral Buoyancy Company visit www.astralbuoyancy.com or www.systemxkayak.co.uk

posted by glenmore @ 7:52 PM  0 comments

Welcome to Dirt School's first newsletter. Every month we hope to keep you
updated with tips on how to improve your riding, new dates for courses that
we're putting on, and generally with what we've been up to at Dirt School.

Down bellow are our new dates for the summer, including our new Level 3
XC course for advanced technique. You'll only be able to book on to the L3
if you've already been on our L2 XC Trail School, as it continues on from
there. We try and run all our Group Sessions on the Weekends, and leave the
week days free for Private Group Tuition or One to One.

So what's been happening at Dirt School? Well after successfully overseeing
the first round of the DH World Cup in South Africa, Chris is away to France
and Andorra for rounds two and three. With News just in that Steve Peat has
won in La Bresse, I'm sure there'll be plenty to celebrate in France.
There's apparently still a bit of snow on the course in Andorra though, so
we wish him all the best with that. Chris is also now working with Borders
College developing a BTec course for elite downhill mountain bike athletes.
Andy has been getting on well with his new Trek Top Fuel 9.9SL in the SXC
races. He's currently sitting in second place in the series after making the
podium in the super technical round at Aberfoyle. In fact the top two steps
were taken by competitors who have also had tuition at Dirt School in the
past! So well done to them for putting what they'd been taught in to
practice on the day.

Our DVD has received some incredible reviews globally and we've been
overwhelmed at the fantastic response from riders around the world. In fact,
Chris has just started filming our Downhill film in the last few weeks. Look
out for more info on that one soon, but it looks like it'll be a stormer and
includes how Junior World Champ Ruaridh Cunningham got his gold at Ft
William.
Speaking of which, come and see us at the World Cup in Fort William this
year. We're going to be doing taster sessions the whole weekend. Stay tuned
for more information nearer the time.

Our No Fuss Enduro days have been going down well with those who
participated in them. The feedback we've been getting sounds pretty
encouraging, so here's hoping they put it all in to practice on the day.
Good luck guys.
We're also teaming up with No Fuss Events for the Big Ben Nevis Triathlon.
Follow the link below for more details on that one.

Leatt Brace now available at Dirt School! As we're always looking for ways
to both enhance your performance and keep you on the trails, we're now able
to supply Leatt braces, the world's leading neck brace company. With the
current spate of neck injuries and the constant search for faster runs
continues, look after yourself by joining the majority of the world's top
riders. We'll have more details online by the end of the month but in the
mean time, email us with any queries and we'll sort you out.

Our Summer slots are filling up, so get in soon to see what you can really
do on your bike. Whether it's racing at elite level, sailing over jumps, or
just riding the blue routes, you'll enjoy your experience so much better if
you can ride safer, faster and with less effort with Dirt School.

See you out on the trails. All the best from all at Dirt School.
Love your riding? Love yourself.

posted by glenmore @ 7:48 PM  0 comments

Dear All,

The Cairngorms Wildcat Project was this morning launched by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham at the Highland Wildlife Park.

The project is a partnership between the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Forestry Commission Scotland, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Scottish Gamekeepers Association and Scottish Natural Heritage and aims over the course of the next few years to save the Scottish wildcat from extinction in one of its last strongholds.


Using an awareness-raising campaign branded 'Highland Tiger', the Project seeks to encourage responsible domestic cat ownership (i.e. increased neutering and vaccination) in the Cairngorms National Park and support the work of cat welfare organisations which neuter feral cats around towns, villages and farms. The Project will also work with land managers to ensure that predator control is wildcat-friendly and that the wildcat population and the extent of both hybridisation and disease are monitored with the input of land managers and the public at large.


For more information about the Scottish wildcat and the Cairngorms Wildcat Project, including how you might be able to help, please visit the Highland Tiger website at www.highlandtiger.com.

posted by glenmore @ 7:08 PM  0 comments

Marmot UK - Dedicated UK and Irish Branch Launches

From April 2009, Marmot in the UK and Ireland is represented by Marmot UK; an entirely new branch company owned and managed directly by Marmot Mountain Europe GmbH (MME).

Marmot Mountain Europe GmbH (MME) is based near Nuremberg, Germany and is run under the leadership of European MD, Andy Schimeck. It supports sales and marketing in all the European and Scandinavian territories and is a key part of Marmot’s worldwide business.

After three years of successful management by K2-UK on an agency basis, Marmot’s business in the UK has developed to where it is now a key player in the core specialist outdoor market. The territory has also steadily grown its share of Marmot’s overall European sales, accounting for 20% and having the second largest turnover.

To drive the planned future growth objectives of Marmot in the UK, while also delivering an even better and more focussed customer service, it was felt imperative by Marmot that its UK business should receive dedicated representation in time for the start of the spring 2010 sell-in.

The company transfer will complete by the start of June when Marmot UK will be integrated fully into the MME office systems. This will result in faster order processing and live availability information via the European stock control system.

In a parallel improvement to retailer service MME recently soft-launched its B2B web-based ordering system. This will be rolled out, dealer-wide, in the next 2 months.

Marmot UK will also be directly connected into the brand marketing process and product development strategy, and will play a key role in both these areas.

Marmot UK will continue to be based in the spectacularly located showroom facility in Sandside, Cumbria, on the fringe of the Lake District.

Staff continuity is maintained: Hugh Harris will be heading up the new operation as Territory Manager, along with Angela Short – Sales Representative and Staff Trainer, Steph Jones – Customer Service and Warranty, and Martin Panton – Customer Service, Accounts and Marketing.

All contact details will remain the same with the exception of email. Please update your records as follows:

Address:
Marmot UK
Unit 2 Shoreline Business Park
Sandside
Cumbria
LA7 7BF

Tel: 015395 63616
Fax: 015395 63618

E:mail: Hugh Harris hugh@marmotuk.co.uk
Angela Short angela@marmotuk.co.uk
Steph Jones steph@marmotuk.co.uk
Martin Panton martin@marmotuk.co.uk
General Enquiries enquiries@marmotuk.co.uk

For further information or if you have any questions, please contact Hugh Harris on the above number or email.

posted by glenmore @ 5:13 PM  0 comments

Sportscotland National Centre Cumbrae is Scotlands premier watersports centre and instructor training facility. Surrounded by safe water with easy access to the open sea, the centres position offers exceptional facilities for watersports enthusiasts of all levels. We have a multitude of courses already programmed to run on specific dates, however any course can be tailored to suit your diary and desires. The centre offers anything from 1 day try windsurfing to 18 week intensive yachtmaster.

Cumbrae National Centre: http://www.nationalcentrecumbrae.org.uk/

posted by glenmore @ 4:54 PM  0 comments

Dave Jinks sums up how the gathering started. 2009 was yet another bumper year filled with various activities for the Fire Brigade team.

Here we have is from Dave:


First Trip to Glenmore Lodge

"10th - 17th February 1990 Our first visit to Glenmore Lodge at a cost of £13 per day with all equipment including ski boots and skis, our numbers were around 40 places and we shared the Lodge with students on BASI courses. Rooms were in the north and south wing and had bunks for four people, and no space to swing a cat.
The upstairs lounge had a very poor solid fuel fire which never got hot and would fill the upstairs with smoke, we all felt very much at home.
Caroline was in charge of catering and she and her staff provided 1st class food just as it is now.
Trips into Aviemore to visit the Winking Owl and The Red McGregor were the order of the day, and night.
The weather was wonderful deep snow blue skies."

"Both ourselves and the Lodge work within a safety culture and it became obvious that in order to maintain the Lodge's good name then we must insist that all newcomers take the safety courses even if it has to be subsidised by the walking sections funds. Without tempting fate we have had a very good safety record."

The Fire Service have been coming every year since, averaging 70 per year. Some go out in their own groups to climb, walk, ski etc. others take part in the various winter courses that the lodge provides during the week to gain experience in this mountain environment.


17th of June 1986 Inaugural Meeting of the Walking and Mountaineering Section of FSSAA.

6th - 10th February 1989 Glen Coe (Kings House and Squirrels Bunk House)

Following a visit to Glenmore by Vince Meehan of Cheshire FB it was agreed to approach Glenmore and find out if they would be happy to receive us on a self-programming basis . The Lodge used to have what was called a GREEN SPOT WEEK when all the instructors were on leave and rather than have the rest of the staff not working, Andy Anderson the Principal of the Lodge agreed provided we were better behaved than a previous visit of Police Officers (Don't Ask)

10th - 17th February 1990 Our first visit to Glenmore Lodge at a cost £13 per day with all equipment including ski boots and skis, our numbers were around 40 places and we shared the lodge with students on BASI courses (they found it difficult to talk to us). Rooms were in the north and south wing and had bunks for four people,and no space to swing a cat.
The upstairs lounge had a very poor solid fuel fire which never got hot and would fill the upstairs with smoke, we all felt very much at home.

Caroline was in charge of catering and she and her staff provided Ist class food just as it is now.

Trips into Aviemore to visit the Winking Owl and The Red McGregor were the order of the day, and night.

The weather was wonderful deep snow blue skies.


Many thanks to Dave for giving us an insight as to how it was back in 1990. A great gathering was had yet again this year. As you can see from the photo above blue skies (again) and snow!

posted by glenmore @ 4:25 PM  0 comments

Wildlife in Speyside

Speyside is in the heart of the Cairngorms, Britain's largest, and most spectacular, National Park covering 1400 square miles. With a wide range of habitats and four of the country's five highest peaks, much of it is as untamed as anywhere in the world. More than a quarter of the UK’s most threatened habitats and species occur here making it perhaps the most important area for wildlife conservation in Britain.

The diversity of wildlife here is well known amongst enthusiasts who come here from all over the country and from abroad and wherever you go in the area there is great wildlife to look out for.

Starting low down, a walk amidst the beautiful Scots pines of the ancient Caledonian forest can be very rewarding. Some of these old trees are more the shape of old oaks than pines and were the parents of all the younger trees surrounding them. Scottish Crossbills live entirely on the seeds prised from their cones and can be seen pulling the cones off the branches before trapping them under a foot to work on them. These forests, with their understory of Bilberry and Heather, are great for insect eating birds like Willow Warblers, Tree Pipits and Redstarts and are the only woodlands in the UK where you can find the delightful Crested Tit. It is best located by learning the call, a rolling trill, or in winter it will be amongst the Blue Tits, Coal Tits and Great Tits in mixed flocks, often with Goldcrests and Treecreepers too. Perhaps the hardest to find of the exciting birds here, is the enormous Capercaillie. Numbers of these huge grouse have dropped alarmingly in recent years but they are still here in small numbers, though getting a good view of this incredibly shy bird is always tricky.

These forests are also home to some exciting mammals, the easiest to see being the Red Squirrel. There are no Grey Squirrels here so the Reds are still doing well and may be seen scampering along the branches or more likely on someone’s bird feeder. You would have to be very lucky to glimpse the Pine Marten, a wonderfully agile member of the weasel family that will even chase Red Squirrels through the high branches. They are however very partial to peanuts and raisins and there are places where they come to feed on food put out for them (see links below for further details). These forests are the place where the first returning pair of Ospreys chose to nest after an absence of over 40 years. Protected by the RSPB at Loch Garten they have increased so that there are now over a hundred pairs, with the chance you might see one fishing in almost any loch or river in the region.

Heading up into the glens it is always worth keeping an eye on the skyline. Red Deer spend the summer high up on the slopes and look fabulous with their enormous antlers, silhouetted against the sky. It is worth checking any birds of prey cruising along these ridges as, though many will be Buzzards, there is always the chance of a Golden Eagle hunting for Red Grouse or Mountain Hares. Red Kites are spreading into the area from a release scheme on the Black Isle and Peregrines circle high above, scanning for pigeons crossing the valley. In the gulleys where streams splash down the mountainsides are nesting Ring Ouzels, the mountain blackbird, with their slow rather mournful song, and on the grassy slopes are Wheatears, Stonechats and countless Meadow Pipits. Dippers, Grey Wagtails and Common Sandpipers nest along the rivers and are easily spotted along the edges of any stony river while Goosander search for fish in the fast flowing current. There are large colonies of Common Gulls on some of the larger shingle banks and these are also the nesting place of Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers and even a few Common Terns.

On the moorland and hill tops listen out for the plaintive call of Golden Plover as they perform their beautiful spring display flight. Merlin are here too and a few pairs of nesting Dunlin, while on even smaller lochans there is always the chance of finding Red-throated Divers. These birds will nest on these smaller lochans, then fly to larger lochs or even to the sea to find food. This is the only part of Britain where beautiful Slavonian Grebes build their nests, though it helps to know where to look if you want see one, as many suitable looking lochs are ignored. Their brilliant yellow crests make them stand out in the breeding season and they can be remarkably tame.

Higher still, amidst the snow patches of the arctic-alpine Cairngorm plateau, a small number of Snow Buntings build their nests. These are rare breeding birds in Britain, only nesting in the highest mountains. Ptarmigan are also here; easy to see in the spring when they are calling and displaying but incredibly well camouflaged when they are not. They change colour through the seasons, moulting into pure white during the winter, but are the same colour as the granite rocks in summer. Dotterel arrive on the tops in May and after laying the eggs the female may well move on, leaving the male to raise the chicks while she finds a new mate in the Norwegian mountains. Delightful alpine flowers like Moss Campion, Roseroot, Trailing Azalea and Alpine Ladies-Mantle are like jewels in these harsh surroundings.

Also you are not far from other rich wildlife areas like the Moray Firth, where Britain’s most reliable population of Bottlenose Dolphins are found. Watching from the end of Chanonry Point there are often plenty of people hoping to be entertained by their leaping and chasing, as they hunt Salmon coming into the river. In the winter this coastline comes alive with thousands of Eider, scoters and Long-tailed Duck, with the chance of seeing all three species of diver as well as scarce grebes like Slavonian and Red-necked. In the summer look out for nesting terns with four species here; Common, Arctic, Sandwich and Little, plus there is always the chance of an Osprey fishing in the surf. In Autumn and Spring skuas are passing offshore and flocks of waders gather on the estuaries.

The west coast is also only two hours away with a real chance of seeing White-tailed Sea Eagle! This spectacular bird was reintroduced in the 1970s and 80s and has slowly increased in numbers, so that around 40 pairs are now nesting on the Hebrides and the west coast of the Scottish mainland. Many places have nesting Black Guillemots while there are also some spectacular seabird colonies, where cliff ledges are crowded with noisy Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes, with Puffins often digging their burrows in the turf on top of the sea stacks. This is the best place to come in search of Otter, much easier to see on the coast than on freshwater as their behaviour is more linked to the tides here and they are therefore more likely to be out in daylight. There is also the option of a boat trip to see Minke Whales, who can sometimes be curious enough to come over to the boat to check you out, making you wonder who is watching who! Despite being one of the smaller species of whale, they are still fabulous and when they are feeding there is often a frenzy of bird activity too, with Manx Shearwaters and Storm Petrels likely to be here as well as all the auks and gulls.

It can feel a little daunting knowing where to start in such a vast area and we have all had that feeling of frustration when you just know the wildlife is there somewhere but you can’t find it! It can take luck and a lot of patience to see many of these species on your own but you can increase your chances enormously by enlisting the help of someone with unbeatable local knowledge (see links below for further details).

Nowhere else in the UK is there such a wealth and diversity of special wildlife, why not get out there and enjoy it.

Speyside Wildlife
01479 812498
enquiries@speysidewildlife.co.uk
www.speysidewildlife.co.uk

posted by glenmore @ 10:54 AM  0 comments