Canada comes 2 Stockport, UK

Saturday 11th February 2012 saw me bound on a train for Stockport Plaza to see a number of adventure films shown at the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival in Banff Canada in November 2011. Some 300+ films featured in the Festival and the very best of these films have been selected to feature in the Tour which will be seen across 7 continents, 35 countries and 700 other audiences.

Over 900 people turned up (a record number in the UK) and there was a buzz and exciting ambiance in this unique venue as the first film was shown on the BIG screen with magic clarity and excellent sound effects. Thousands of people have become “hooked” on the exploration, courage and at times the foolhardiness featured in these amazing films. Having been at the Kendal Mountain Festival last year I well knew the passion for adventure that is experienced during a screening and vivid memories will always remain. I was excited as to what was to be shown and all being AWARD films, I well knew we would be in for a special treat – I was not disappointed.

I want to comment on three films that I thought were very special:-
• Cold On Feb 2nd 2011 three climbers made a winter summit of Gasherbrum11 (the world’s 13th highest peak), one of Pakistan’s 8,000 metre peaks for the first time. The immediacy of the footage and the ferocity of the climb are totally inspiring. Just wonderful. I was with the climbers all the way to the top (half way) and back down again!
• Kadoma This was a kayak journey (some two months) through Central Africa by three kayakers that had me sitting on the edge of my seat though the entire 42 minutes. I have never seen so many and such large, terrifying and fast rapids. Dangerous wildlife was always around as well as unpredictable soldiers. Alas “Hendri” Coetzee, the leader, got into trouble with his kayak and was attacked and killed by a crocodile. The cinema was in total silence as the audience grasped the horror of what had happened so quickly.
• Obe & Ashima Guided by her bouldering coach Obe, 9 year old Ashima from New York has got a unique ability to climb and at such a tender age it was totally amazing what she can do. Anyone interested in climbing should watch the film.

Roll on next year. Order your ticket early or you will miss the show.

14th February 2012

"A White Lake District" 27th to 30th January 2012

Friday 27th January was Liverpool Trekkers first walk of the year and Fairfield Round in an anti-clockwise direction from Ambleside at 10am was the challenge - 17kms (10.5 miles) with a total ascent of 1,050m. As we leave Low Pike and head for High Pike we are in 4/6 inches of snow and it is not long before we are in near “white-out” conditions and much deeper virgin snow as we make our way over Dove Crag, Hart Crag and on to the massive flat top of Fairfield and at 873m (2,864ft), the highest point of the day. Careful navigation by Lee gets us safely to the top and from here we take a further compass reading to take us to Great Rigg, then Heron Pike and finally Nab Scar; a Wainwright count of eight!

At the back of 5.30pm we are all in The Golden Rule for a well earned pint. Some of the Group are going home while others are staying over for a night out on the town.

After the winter conditions of Friday, Saturday turned out to be a lovely sunny day with such clear visibility. Today the challenge is to get to the top of Loughrigg Fell which proves to be a lovely walk with lots of people on the Fells. It is then a long walk to Silver How, coming back to the start point of Rydal by Grassmere and Rydal Water. Starting at 11am I was back at the car at 4pm after such an enjoyable day.

Sunday was another good walking day – a little colder on higher ground and not such good visibility. Helm Crag was the first Wainwright of the day, “raising so abruptly” from the village of Grassmere. The Fell is affectionately known as “The Lion and The Lamb” and may well be the best known of the Lakeland Fells. The summit is altogether a rather weird and fantastic place. There is a remarkable array of rocks, some upstanding and others fallen and getting to the top of the two towers needs to be done with care. It was then on to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag before making a decision to turn right and head for Steel Fell. It was a steep decent off the Fell down to Mill Bridge and the A591 where my car was parked. Starting off at 10.15am I was back at my car at 2.50pm. This was an exhilarating walk with wonderful views all around and such beauty looking down on Grassmere. Underfoot it was frozen ground and ice and in places deep snow.

Monday morning saw me back again to park at Grassmere Village and today I had my winter boots on and crampons in my rucksack as I hoped to reach as far as High Raise and take in a total of four Wainwrights. My first stop of the day was at noon at Easedale Tarn below the cliffs of Tarn Crag with the Fell fully reflecting in the icy waters of the tarn. From here it was a steep walk up to Raw Pike and then to Blea Rigg my first Wainwright of the day. I was in deep snow and all around was basked in sunshine and such clear visibility – it was a white wilderness with few walkers to be seen. Looking ahead to Sergeant Man I realised this was going to be a demanding route and I was delighted to reach the mountain’s top at 2pm. Two walkers were having a quick lunch in a sheltered spot just below the top and it was ever so cold. For me I was pressing on as I wanted to get to the trig point on the top of High Raise and I was there at 2.20pm. The views were wonderful. I was back on the top of Sergeant Man at 2.40pm for a second time and decided that my best way back was to head for Tarn Crag and continue on the ridge back to Grassmere. This was ever such an enjoyable part of the day with the sun on my back and casting massive shadows of my profile across the deep snow I was making my way through. By 3.40pm I was on the top of Tarn Crag my last Wainwright of the day. By the time I reached the valley floor I was in darkness but on a good path and by 5.30pm I was at my car and having sandwiches etc which I should have stopped and enjoyed on the hills!

Alas my time in the Lakes had terminated and I had a two hour (110 miles) journey back to Chester. I was well satisfied with my Wainwright count.

31st January 2012