timtag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//72008-08-06T10:47:39ZMovable Type Open Source 4.1Chamonix Aiguillestag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.14142008-08-06T10:39:58Z2008-08-06T10:47:39ZThe Chamonix valley is still the Mecca for alpinism in the Western Alps with a wide variety of climbing styles. In recent years the famous aiguilles have been developed (Michael Piola has been far and away the main protagonist) with...Tim Blakemore
Rob and I definitely laughed our way up (and sometimes down) this great route.
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Mitteleggi Ridge, Eigertag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.14132008-08-01T14:22:33Z2008-08-01T14:42:08ZImages from one of the most talked about peaks in the Alps, the Eiger. Matt and I traversed it from the Mitteleggi Hut, ascending the NE (Mitteleggi) Ridge and descending the South (and traversing the Eigerjochs to the Monchjoch Hut)....Tim Blakemore]]>
Dent Blanchetag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.14052008-07-25T14:59:47Z2008-07-25T15:05:25ZImages from the third week working for Martin Moran, this time with Andy Teasdale on a 'Swiss Big Three' course. The aims of the two week course are to complete the triumvirate of the Matterhorn, Eiger and the enigmatic Dent...Tim Blakemore]]>
North Faces and 4000m Peakstag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13982008-07-18T17:13:49Z2008-07-18T17:19:36ZAnother 6 days worth of alpine images taken whilst working for Martin Moran in the Valais Alps of Switzerland. We based the 1st half of the week out of the Bordierhutte and climbed the Balfrin as a training peak then...Tim Blakemore]]>
Swiss 4000'erstag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13872008-07-16T17:18:47Z2008-07-16T17:24:32ZImages from a 6 day Mt Blanc preparation week working for Martin Moran. During the week we did a training day on the Ferpecle Glacier and then climbedf L'Eveque from the Vignettes Hut. This peak is given F in the...Tim Blakemore]]>
Alpine Intro in Arollatag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13702008-07-04T14:06:01Z2008-07-05T12:34:48ZImages from 5 days working forJagged Globe , based in Arolla in the Valais Alps. We stayed in the Aiguilles Rouges and Vignettes Refuges and climbed two alpine peaks (Pte Vousonn and Pigne d'Arolla) as well as valley rock climbing....Tim Blakemore
Jagged Globe , based in Arolla in the Valais Alps. We stayed in the Aiguilles Rouges and Vignettes Refuges and climbed two alpine peaks (Pte Vousonn and Pigne d'Arolla) as well as valley rock climbing.
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Mountaineering in Chamonixtag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13612008-06-27T14:28:53Z2008-06-27T14:50:00ZThis week has seen a return to high pressure conditions across the Alps giving clear views, blue skies and sun burn. I've spent the last four days in Chamonix, France working for Icicle Mountaineering During the week we climbed the...Tim Blakemore
Icicle Mountaineering
During the week we climbed the Cosmiques Arete, Mt Blanc and a day rock climbing at Les Gaillands.
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IFMGA Guide Trainingtag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13562008-06-23T16:53:38Z2008-06-23T17:11:44ZSome images from the recent British Mountain Guides Alpine Training Course. The course is 6 days long and covers a wide syllabus including via ferrata, alpine rock, snow and ice climbing as well as glacial travel and rescue. We were...Tim Blakemore
That's it now for the formal training on the BMG scheme, though it's only the start of a two year (or two summer seasons) alpine apprenticeship. I now have to complete a minimum (and it's likely to be double) 30 quality guided days in the company of another Guide.]]>
SPA Training and off to the Alpstag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13392008-06-04T15:24:56Z2008-06-04T15:38:58ZA few images from the last two SPA Training courses run in the Northumberland/Edinburgh area. We visited Kyloe Crag, Berryhill and Alien Rock. Both days at Berryhill were dry and pleasant whilst both days at Kyloe were not! The SPA...Tim Blakemore]]>
John Muir Trust & One Percent for the Planettag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13372008-05-30T14:56:52Z2008-06-02T21:27:57ZSince January of this year Northern Mountain Sport has been a member of 1 Percent for the Planet Companies donate one percent of their turnover (not profit) to environmental groups and charities. We've just sent out our first donation to...Tim Blakemore
1 Percent for the Planet
Companies donate one percent of their turnover (not profit) to environmental groups and charities. We've just sent out our first donation to the John Muir Trust, a leading UK charity dedicated to the protection of wild land for both nature and people.
It's not much, but it's something.
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SPA Assessmenttag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13362008-05-28T17:43:15Z2008-05-28T19:46:34ZMay is SPA month, with two assessments and three training courses, these images from the last of the assessments. We went to Trapain Law (Lowland Outcrops), Kyloe Crag(Northumberland) and Alien Rock. The next SPA courses we will be running are:...Tim Blakemore]]>
SPA Assessmenttag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13352008-05-22T20:39:16Z2008-05-22T21:02:59ZImages from our last SPA Assessment course run in Edinburgh/north Northumberland (and an evening out with Michael). All four candidates were local climbers from Tyneside, Northumberland and Edinburgh. We visited Berryhill Crag, Kyloe Crag and Alien Rock and enjoyed some...Tim Blakemore]]>
Product testing in the alpstag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13282008-05-19T11:50:11Z2008-05-20T12:50:42ZFrom early June through to the end of September I'll be guiding and climbing throughout the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. During this time I'll be testing waterproofs from www.mountain-equipment.co.uk and the new 'Mutant 38' sack from www.ospreypacks.com. Many companies...Tim Blakemore
www.mountain-equipment.co.uk and the new 'Mutant 38' sack from
www.ospreypacks.com.
Many companies product test in one way or another. I'm always impressed by organisations who are genuinely prepared to listen to, and design for climbers, which is a niche market.
I'm grateful for the assistance of both companies.]]>
ML Assessment & SPA Trainingtag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13262008-05-19T11:14:31Z2008-05-19T11:27:49ZImages from a ML Assessment and SPA Training course run on behalf of CCAT (Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training). The ML is the benchmark award for those leading walking groups in the hills and consists of 5 days of assessment....Tim Blakemore
CCAT (Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training).
The ML is the benchmark award for those leading walking groups in the hills and consists of 5 days of assessment. Candidates must navigate to a high standard as well as manage groups on broken ground and wild camp. The SPA (single pitch award) is the award aimed at leaders who are responsible for taking others on single pitch climbs and climbing walls. Personal climbing is covered as well as group systems / rescues etc
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WGL Training Coursetag:www.ictgateshead.org,2008:/tim//7.13162008-05-06T17:06:01Z2008-05-06T17:13:45ZA couple of shots from a Walking Group Leader (WGL) training course run on behalf of CCAT (Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training). The WGL award trains and assesses the skills needed to lead others in the UK's upland, remote environments....Tim Blakemore
CCAT (Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training).
The WGL award trains and assesses the skills needed to lead others in the UK's upland, remote environments.
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That's it now for the formal training on the BMG scheme, though it's only the start of a two year (or two summer seasons) alpine apprenticeship. I now have to complete a minimum (and it's likely to be double) 30 quality guided days in the company of another Guide.]]>
 on SPA Training, Northumberland-thumb-250x768.jpg)
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 at Trapain Law-thumb-250x768.jpg)
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Many companies product test in one way or another. I'm always impressed by organisations who are genuinely prepared to listen to, and design for climbers, which is a niche market.
I'm grateful for the assistance of both companies.]]>
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