http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/ en-us Copyright 2008 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:06:01 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 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. ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/07/alpine_intro_in_arolla.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/07/alpine_intro_in_arolla.html Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:06:01 +0000 Icicle Mountaineering During the week we climbed the Cosmiques Arete, Mt Blanc and a day rock climbing at Les Gaillands. ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/06/mountaineering_in_chamonix.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/06/mountaineering_in_chamonix.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:28:53 +0000 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.]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/06/ifmga_guide_training.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/06/ifmga_guide_training.html Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:53:38 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/06/spa_training_and_off_to_the_al.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/06/spa_training_and_off_to_the_al.html Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:24:56 +0000 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. ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/john_muir_trust_one_percent_fo.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/john_muir_trust_one_percent_fo.html News One Percent For The Planet Fri, 30 May 2008 15:56:52 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/spa_assessment_2.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/spa_assessment_2.html Wed, 28 May 2008 18:43:15 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/spa_assessment_1.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/spa_assessment_1.html Thu, 22 May 2008 21:39:16 +0000 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.]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/product_testing_in_the_alps.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/product_testing_in_the_alps.html Mon, 19 May 2008 12:50:11 +0000 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 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/ml_assessment_spa_training.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/ml_assessment_spa_training.html Mon, 19 May 2008 12:14:31 +0000 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. ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/a_couple_of_shots_from.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/a_couple_of_shots_from.html Tue, 06 May 2008 18:06:01 +0000 Bruce Goodlad We based ourselves out of the superb Rifugio Benevelo which provides a great base from which to tour and acclimatise, as well as drink fresh cappucinno and genepe! Bruce and clients are going on to climb the Gran Paradiso over the next two days. ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/ski_touring_in_the_gran_paradi.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/05/ski_touring_in_the_gran_paradi.html Thu, 01 May 2008 11:36:03 +0000 Di ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/04/ski_touring_in_chamonix.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/04/ski_touring_in_chamonix.html Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:23:22 +0000 CCAT (Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training). I have helped CCAT gain 'provider' status for the MLTE awards and now am sub contracted to maintain quality control, particularly on assessments. The courses were based in the south Lakes (ML) and Howgill Fells/Ingleborough for the WGL. During the expedition phase of the ML course a student was found to be suffering pain and appendicitis was suspected. A rescue operation was put into place and a RAF Seaking was scrambled and landed within 1 hour at a remote campsite after some very impressive flying. The ML course looks at personal and leadership skills in the UK mountains such as navigation, emergency procedures and river crossing. There are currently two places available on the May ML Assessment course ( 26 - 30 May). If you are interested please get in touch. ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/04/ml_training_and_wgl_assessment.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/04/ml_training_and_wgl_assessment.html Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:46:31 +0000 alpine guide Mike 'Twid' Turner who kindly let me tag along to gain valuable aspirant log book days. The tour is primarily in Switzerland using alpine huts on a half board basis which is an incredibly efficient way of travelling through the mountains. Prices are around 60 chf (£30ish) per night and you wont go hungry! It's hard to quantify the difficulty of this tour (with so many variables like weather etc) but if you're fit (able to climb 1000m per day for multiple days) and can ski most snow conditions then I highly recommend it. If you are careful with route finding then you need not ski anything steeper than a 'red' run (but there are steeper variations for the adventurous)! ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/04/haute_routeski_touring.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/04/haute_routeski_touring.html Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:00:24 +0000 I've just completed the British Mountain Guides Ski Touring training course, based mostly out of Chamonix. We had mixed weather with plenty of fresh snow which made for some great skiing and touring. The last part of the course was based out of the excellent Grand St Bernard Monastary where we spent a night. During the course we covered all elements of ski touring including ski anchors, crevasse rescue, transceivors, avalanche prediction/avoidance/travel, roped skiing (and falling!) and improvised rescues on skis http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/03/alpine_ski_touring.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2008/03/alpine_ski_touring.html Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:22:35 +0000