As the vast quantities of snow begin to melt the rivers are coming up and it won't be long before the paddling is first class! We have just received our new fleet of Piranha kayaks for 2010 including some of the new "2010 Burn's".

The team have speant most of today checking through the new boats and fittig them out in preperation for our first kayaking courses of the season.

posted by glenmore @ 4:18 PM  0 comments

Eighteen students from Edinburgh University Wilderness Medicine Society took part in a winter skills training day on Sunday 21st March. The day was arranged by the Scottish Students' Mountain Safety Officer, Roger Wild and the cost was subsidised by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. The students were instructed by Rupert Hutchinson, Kathryn Bromfield and Mark Scales.

The day began with planning and preparation including clothing and equipment, weather, avalanche awareness and route choice. The groups practiced navigation on the way to the northern corries where secure footwork and effective use of ice axe and crampons were practiced. Self-arrest was thoroughly covered and navigation skills were developed during the day.

James Conlon, the society's training officer said,
"Many thanks for all your help in organising and subsidising the winter skills course last weekend. We all had a fantastic time and received excellent tuition in winter mountaineering."

posted by glenmore @ 10:44 AM  0 comments

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS)

Vacancies for Directors

The MCofS Board is responsible for the governance of the Council and consists of 8 elected directors, each of whom is responsible for a specific area of activity which contributes to the achievement of the MCofS Strategic Plan. We are now seeking nominations from individual members and members of clubs to stand for election to our Board of voluntary directors.

Candidates will have a commitment to mountaineering, hill walking or climbing activities, and should be prepared to instigate projects which are relevant to our strategic aims. As such, the duties are likely to include chairing an advisory group of volunteers, which will inform and support the work of our officers.

The work - with a small team of colleagues, and officers, whose shared aim is to represent, support and promote Scottish mountaineering - should be very rewarding.

We wish nominees to be aware of the commitment required. Whilst we pay expenses, the work is voluntary and will require significant time and energy. In addition to experience gained in mountaineering activities, suitable nominees will benefit from:
• Familiarity with the way company Boards work, ideally in a not-for-profit environment
• Understanding of the general principles of corporate responsibility
• Experience of the voluntary sector
• Appropriate interpersonal skills, including an ability to communicate effectively, both written and oral
• Being computer literate, with ready access to email and the internet

The minimum age for candidates is 16 and MCofS positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.

We anticipate having elections for three vacancies at the next AGM. One of these will be for the director responsible for Mountain Safety and Training, a role for which we anticipate a co-optee will be appointed in the short term, and stand for election at the AGM.

We are particularly interested in individuals with skills and experience gained in the following fields:
• Marketing, membership development and sponsorship
• Corporate affairs, including the legal implications of running a limited company, and human resources
Nominees should plan to participate in the MCofS AGM which will be held at Glenmore Lodge, by Aviemore, on Saturday 4 September 2010, at 16:00.

This is a fantastic opportunity to put something back into mountaineering and to help shape the future of the MCofS. To apply or obtain further information please contact David Gibson, Company Secretary, The Mountaineering Council of Scotland, The Old Granary, West Mill Street, Perth, PH1 5QP. Tel: 01738-493947 or 07845-919150. email davidg@mcofs.org.uk

posted by glenmore @ 12:28 PM  0 comments

Alistair Lees Memorial XC Time Trail



28th March



Innerleithen Forestry Commission Carpark




It's back and it's better ! Voted for recently in an online poll we started as the Best Course Ever, the traditional early season XC Time Trial will be held on Sunday 28th March.



This year we will be using a 21km course, and all riders will complete one lap. This is a great event if you are just starting out at XC, with all riders leaving at one minute intervals from 11.01 and no start line tussles.



The trophy, in memory of our friend Alistair who died of cancer in November 2007, will be awarded in the Vet category. We will be taking a split time at the top of the course and a prize will be awarded for the fastest male and female riders on that section.



Full catering services will be provided at the event, courtesy of the Rice Risotto van.



Event website www.innerleithenmtbracing.com

Posted by Rob, alpine Bikes

posted by glenmore @ 12:07 PM  1 comments

After securing lottery funding towards the end of last year, with the help of Alpine Bikes customer base, the project team are proud to announce that they broke ground this morning! I'll try and get some photos uploaded when we have them, but our anticipated completition date for this to be built is the end of the month.

This'll be great for the Tweed Valley as it will give another superb facility within stones throw of Glen Tress.

I shall post a formal announcement when it's all up and running.

Rob
Alpine Bikes
Innerleithen

posted by glenmore @ 12:02 PM  0 comments