Cold Wet Windy Dovedale Day

Here's a few pictures from a cold wet windy day out with Keela the dog around Dovedale in the Lake District. The storms came through as we got to the top of Dove Crag and the visibility decreased and winds increased. Sloppy wet snow on the ground and hail storms didn't help me or Keela. I put some glasses on to protect my eyes and they were useful above the freezing level at 750mtrs; they steamed up a bit below that. I was using a fantastic pair of Montane Ice Grip Gloves These are waterproof and warm and you can get them on and off with wet hands. they also have a great level of dexterity  I could press my camera buttons with them on. Not sure about opening a Starbust sweet though!

Tour De Helvellyn

 Joe from Nav4

Kim Collinson and some sun near Checkpoint 3

This years Tour De Helvellyn took place over the weekend. Well done all involved Kim Collinson managed to get round in just over 6 Hrs. He must of heard the soup had been turned on. and didn't want to miss out on it. Well done to all involved and the support team. Like a swan on the water!! Some great conditions saw Sticks Pass giving the whole crew a very cold blasting and even a few glimpses of sunshine. More pics can be found here https://picasaweb.google.com/117028861008703290070/TDHNav4?authkey=Gv1sRgCK78i47dwYrOpgE


If you want to have a fantastic adventure get in touch with Nav4 or myself  and we can tailor a course for you.

2012 Coming Soon!!

Its Olympic year and its in the UK in 2012. Its a time for New Year Resolutions try a revolution instead and feel the benefits. So from this doing this  

to this in no time at all.  In fact it could take you only half an hour a day. 

Watch this for 10mins to start you off whilst you are still sitting down. Don those Xmas present thick socks and jumper and see for yourself some wonderful sights

If this has inspired you to get out give me a email or ring and we can arrange an invigorating day out that will change your mind and your adventures to follow.
 

Snowshoe Trips this Winter

Here is some great and useful information about doing something with a difference.
Snowshoeing has really taken off due to a few factors;  the economic situation at the moment means that an alternative to expensive ski holidays are being looked at. It helps with overall fitness, gets you out to areas you generally cant with skis and snowboards. Its has a very family and friendly atmosphere and if you are concerned with the environmental issues of winter sports, Snowshoeing is a must. If you do want any more information or book onto a course please let me know. We use a fantastic place in the Julian Alps of Slovenia, or in the Alps and if the weather is with us in Scotland.

Mini Adventure in the Lakes

Joe from Nav4 and I had a quick chat in the morning and by 12.30 we were off to walk over the Coniston Fells to the Duddon Valley.

We then planned to stay over and have a pint in The Newfield Inn in Seathwaite and then walk back over old Lancashires Highest peak. Coniston Old Man. WE had all sorts of weather conditions and took Keela my Dog and Molly a friends dog. She is under training with SARDA.

We went from 3 Shires Stone and traversed over Dow Crag and down Walna Scar to reach Duddon in 3 Hrs.

Day 2 we went past Seathwaite Reservior and then over the Old Man Swirl Howe and back to 3 Shires in 3 hrs. Great full day out and good company and beer. Cheers!!

To view the pictures click here

Google+

Hello all in cyber land
Just a quick check to let you know that I am now using Google+ as well as Facebook and Twitter @aimcourses
and Linkedin

There seems to be a lot to go at to keep the social media world happy with various updates photos and videos.
I almost forgot one of the best ones out there is QR Barcodes amzing if you have a smart phone.

Using Google+ seems to put all that in one space and I can use all the other apps out there.
Happy Navigating in the cyber world and I hope to see you in the real world soon.
Keep in touch!!

Sunny Day on High Seat Borrowdale

Here are a few pics from a gret sunndy day out run with Keela the dog around Bleaberry Fell and High Seat near to Borrowdale in Cumbria.
This is a picture of my thumb nail 3 months and now ready to come off.


Its a very boggy route but has some stunning scenery of the Lake District finest and biggest fells.

Here is the view from the Trig point on High Seat looking toward the Helvellyn range. I was using the Viewranger app on my phone which worked very well. The new path to cut out the boggy sections just took me the wrong way back to Shepherds Crag cafe. Great day out. For a view of all the pictures have a look at https://picasaweb.google.com/117028861008703290070/HighSeatRunSept11
Have a great time in the hills

Mars Scafell May 11

Montane Minimus Test

I was recently sent a great jacket from Montane. Its another in the family of the Kyrpton Jacket, which I had a sample of  but made from Pertex Shield. This is a waterproof and breathable taped seam jacket and weighs only 227gms. As such it makes it suitable for Mountain Marathons such as the OMM, LAMM etc. It small enough and light enough to stuff into a pack or on back of harness for the windy and wet days when you get caught out on the hill or crag. The hood is excellent is takes a helmet easily and the closure keeps out the elements. The styling is great with a vivid green and contract red zip, available in other colours. Its minimalistic as the name suggests and sports only one very well thought out pocket with compass/key D ring attachment. The cuffs are velcro closed to keep out the wet stuff. Reflective patches will be useful for the night user. Its another "must have" jacket from Montane. Look out for it in my pictures of my adventures...

Adidas Terrex Race

Here is the full 50 min video of The Adidas Terrex race that I worked on last August.

http://www.dreamteamtelevision.co.uk/view-programmes/adventure-sports/adidas-terrex/
Get yourself a cup of tea and a biscuit and enjoy!

IML Meet

This weekend was the IML meet in the Langdale. We practised some rope work, met some new people and had a good time in the rain
Nice to meet Anne, Mike his partner Caroline and Tim. Hopefully there will be more time to arrange an Autumn meet before the BAIML AGM in December. Thank you to Trekmates for their support and gifts. 

Scafell Pike Trip

Here are a few pics from my quick trip up Scafell Pike today in the sunshine; back down for lunch at home.
Plenty of the wildlife feeling the heat have a look at the happy sheep and the tap and the dogs in the water.  A little bit of snow still in the gully on Great End.
Bumped into Kate from Mountain Life at Reghed on her way up as we were coming down. It was a little bit hazy on the top and we couldn't quite see the Isle of Man or North Wales. Had a great run down and a good recce for a group coming up with me soon. If you have a 3 peaks adventure in mind please let me know.

Warm Day on the Roman Way Lake District

Out with Joe of Nav4 and Tara and the two dogs Keela and Oscar. Joe doing some training and Recceing of the Montane 100 We met up for a cup of tea and a muffin before setting off on the east lakeland section of the route. Its quite a warm day hence Joe  in a vest!

We set off from near Pooley Bridge and walked over Arthurs Pike and Loadpot Hill on some lovely dry conditions. Finishing up at the head of Haweswater. Great day out and good laugh. 

Tara doing some left footed kicking. Not working too well ....
Joe trying to sort out a biscuit problem
Our carriage awaits as we arrive at Haweswater approximately 4 hours later. Thanks Lyndsey. More tea and muffins needed before we can enjoy the rest of St Georges day.

A Sent Email

From John Hamer after a recent NAV4 training course. He had recently completed the Highlander Mountain Marathon. Video on the site or here
"Hi guys,

I'm just back from the Highlander MM.  Had a fantastic time, and learned heaps (mostly what not to do next time!)  The course was tougher than I expected, with some decidedly tricky checkpoints.  Finding a "safe" descent from the top of a 70m cliff is not easy!  The organisers also seem to think it's funny to occasionally hide a checkpoint kite behind rocks.

We made a couple of minor mistakes, one terrible one (costing us about 45 minutes of painful backtracking!), but had a success here and there.  Most importantly, we finished!

Thanks heaps, Stu.  Your skills course made a huge difference, can't imagine how I could have done the event without it."

A great reply and good to hear some of the magic has worked. Thank you very much John

QR Barcodes

Here is a new way to use your smart phone and log onto this blog

This is a great new tool for a speedy instant access to this blog. You could try and download an iphone app for QR readers such as this.

 http://itunes.apple.com/app/i-nigma-4-qr-datamatrix-barcode/id388923203?mt=8

or for Android Phones

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.threegvision.products.inigma.Android

Happy new technology and get in touch soon

Great Site for Cumbrian Fell Walking Fans

Have a look at Online Fellwalking Club if you have an interest in fellwalking and the Wainwrights.

Lots of interesting stuff going on. Go get involved.

Navigation Practice in Lake District

Jon Gupta decided to call in on his way to Scotland for his Winter ML Assessmentat Glenmore Lodge.
There has bee some great snow in the Cairngorms recently.
We went out onto some bleak featureless hills. Sadly no snow to be seen but some challenging navigation terrain. We went round a progressive course and then back for tea and medals (nutella really!). Had a great day chatting and catching up and best of wishes to Jon, Ben and Bruce. I think they are all on same assessment.
Navigaton courses to suit your ability and a time to suit you can be arranged please feel free to contact me.