Four climbers from the Polish Association of Alpinists have been staying here at the Lodge for the last week. They have been comparing notes with Jon Jones and some of the team on how and what we teach and coach in winter mountains. They have been out in the hills all week climbing and enjoying our Scottish weather that has offerend lots of snow, wind, rain and even blue sky.
I had an chat with them last night to find out more.

Q: How does Scottish climbing compare with Polish winter climbing?
Ans: Our mountains are higher (around 2500m) and we have longer routes, up to 1000m, but the climbing is similar. We have plenty of turf, like Scotland, lots of mixed routes and less ice. You seem to have more wind.....lots more wind! We also share the same ethos and style of climbing as we prefer traditional climbing and not bolted routes.

Q: Why come to Scotalnd if we are lower, with shorter routes but similar?
ANS: There is a strong history between Scotland and Poland with our famous mountaineers developing together. Woytek Kurtyka teamed up with John Porter and Alex McIntyre in Scotland to train together and go to the Himalaya and do classic lines such as the one on Changabang. It is a great place to climb.

Q:Why Glenmore Lodge?
ANS: We know about this place because we are climbers. We all talk and I have been here before on the International meet. We wanted to share ideas and learn new techniques , top tips and learn from different countries so we can take them back to Poland and try to keep improving.

Q: What is life like for a mountaineering instructors in Poland? Can you make a good living?
Ans: Very few instructors make a full time living. Most need to have another job. Rope access, or climbing walls and of course regualr jobs. We have a different system to the UK. We have guides, that do just that, and insturctors that do single pitch, multi pitch and summer navigation. So a different set of qualifications.

Q: What has been the best bit about your visit so far?
ANS: Going to Jon's house to drink whiskey!

Thanks to Mariusz, Krzysztof, Bodzio and Adam for coming to visit and taking time to chat. If you would like to see some of their Polish mountains you can go to http://www.kw.krakow.pl/

posted by glenmore @ 1:56 pm  0 comments

Yes, at last. As ever we have listened to your requests for better rooms and showers here at the Lodge. The result is amazing and probably better than most would expect. Rooms with en-suire bathrooms, amazing views and great heating with the environment at the centre of the upkeep. We also managed to get 2 new offices which have such spectacular views of the Cairngorms with huge windows, that it may be tricky for you to concentrate on your reviews.....

Hope to see you up here and you get one of the new rooms or at least have a meeting on the new offices...book early avoid disappointment!

posted by glenmore @ 1:21 pm  0 comments

Innovation for Extremes innov_ex 08the essential innovation conference for the outdoor sport trade
6th Annual Conference Wednesday 30 April 2008 Lancaster University Management School
Click here to download printable brochure & booking form
The theme for innov_ex 08 is: Innovation in the Context of Global Warming
The world economy has been on a carbon intensive course from the late nineteenth century onwards, but since the 1950s energy emissions have tripled. Global warming and climate change is associated with extremes of weather, economic change and pollution and its impact is especially obvious in mountain regions. Innovation is a key driver of the competitiveness of firms and nations, but how does it relate to these environmental concerns for the outdoor trade?
Why come to innov_ex 08?
To gain a better and deeper understanding of the potential dangers for the outdoor business through debate and discussion.
To develop thinking about sustainable innova­tion
To help you formulate your future policies to deal with climate uncertainties.
To determine if you and your business can make a better/deeper/ more effective contribu­tion to the ongoing struggle against climate change.
A combination of lively research papers and interactive expert panels from leading aca­demics and outdoor specialists address these questions. The sessions will be enriched by web links and summarised via pod-casts.
There will be two expert panels one at the end of the morning session and another at the end of the afternoon to widen discussion and draw out the conclusions

posted by glenmore @ 12:49 pm  0 comments

The First UK Slacklining Masters
sponsored by Slackline Brothers Inc.

The Fort William Mountain Festival is proud to present the first ever UK Slacklining Masters Competition on Saturday 23rd February!

Never heard of slacklining? Think tightrope, then give it some slack and bounce and you’re getting there. This sport isn’t just about balance, it’s a test of focus and sheer nerve.

Bringing balance enthusiasts from all over the UK, contestants will battle it out in Fort William to discover who is truly the 'Master of the Slackline'.

Slacklining began when bored climbers waiting around in campsites started playing with their climbing equipment, and tried walking on lengths of nylon webbing rigged up between two points. Unlike rope, webbing has a flat surface that stops the slackliner's foot from rolling, and the bounce in the line means that good slackliners can pull off an impressive array of stunts and tricks while up there.

Slacklining can be pure entertainment or used as balance training for sports like climbing, snowboarding, skiing and gymnastics. It is also said to help clear and steady the mind as the slackliner focuses on achieving perfect balance.



The 10-metre slackline will be set up a few metres off the ground and it will require immense skill and concentration not just to stay on, but to do the best tricks too.
Competitors will be judged on who can walk the furthest in an allotted time and perform the best trick.

Great music, a top MC and an incredible spectacle will make this an afternoon to remember; whether you're up there having a go on the slackline or just cheering the competitors on!

With £1,500 of cash prizes up for grabs, competition is set to be fierce. All entrants will compete against each other, regardless of nationality. Heats begin at 12pm, with the best 12 performers going into the finals at 4pm. The finals will be a Freestyle Medley where each competitor will have 2 minutes to perform. Prizes will be awarded directly after the competition, at 5pm.

UK Champion - £500
UK 2nd - £300
UK 3rd - £200

International Champion - £500
International 2nd - £300
International 3rd - £200

Saturday 23rd February, Lochaber Leisure Centre, Fort William, 12 - 5pm.
http://www.mountainfestival.co.uk/slackline.htm

posted by glenmore @ 12:44 pm  0 comments

You ahve heard it on national news and it is true.......snow, cold and perfect conditions for winter sports. Those of you who need to learn winter skills, learn to winter climb and of course there is the ski mountaineering weekend next week.

Looking forward to seeing you!

posted by glenmore @ 11:00 am  0 comments