Useful Advice before you go up in the Mountains
Kit Lists & Equipment Hire
Summer Mountaineering Kit List
Winter Climbing and Mountaineering Kit List
Advice Articles
Simple Advice on Buying Rock Boots
Advice on Winter climbing racks
Making the Most of your High Altitude Expedition
Links
Useful Instructional Articles
BMC – Extremely comprehensive set of articles from blood lactate forearm response to abseiling, winter climbing and mountain medicine.
Dave Mcleod – Great set of advice articles on the actual movement side of climbing – technique, training, tac-tics and injuries.
Planet Fear – Interesting and varied set of articles from an interview with Steve McClure to nutrition and big wall climbing.
Psycho Vertical - Lots of handy practical advice articles on gear, ropework, bivvying etc
www.psychovertical.com/technique
Books and publishers
Cicerone - Publishes inspiring guidebooks for scrambling, climbing, ice climbing and mountaineering, cycling guides, hill and mountain skills and outdoor photography.
Baton Wicks - Publishers of the famous British Climbing books Classic, Hard and Extreme Rock and Cold Climbs. If you’ve not checked these out get on-line, get reading, get inspired and get out there!
www.batonwicks.com/cgi-bin/batonwicks/cat_list.pl?BRITISH_ROCK
Third Leaf Books - Chas Griffin's Hilarious tales of an organic smallholding in West Wales. A must read and an ideal gift.
General Climbing Sites
ukclimbing.com – Busy climbing forums (beware of the arm chair know it all!) and an impressive database of information on UK crags. Occasionally some excellent advice about climbing in the Alps and further afield.
Rockfax – A lively and informative site about these clear and inspiring guide books. Get voting!
Summitpost.com – Huge U.S. site with masses of worldwide information, articles and forums.
Nick Bullock – If you’re in need of some palm perspiration look no further than these gripping, honest and amusing accounts.
www.alpine-guides.com/photos%20nickbullock.htm
Everest 1953 – For all the facts, stories and events concerning the British on Mount Everest. Includes history, summiteers list, facts and a gallery.
Weather, Tides and Avalanche Forecast
UK Weather
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/ukweather
UK Tides
www.climbers-club.co.uk/tides/tides.html
Scottish Avalanche Information service – An essential aid to planning your winter outing in the Highlands
Chamonix Weather
Accommodation – Lochaber
Calluna - Fort William bunkhouse run by local Mountain Guide, Alan Kimber and his wife Sue.
Lime tree - Outdoor orientated B and B in Fort William. Attached to David Wilson’s excellent gallery.
www.limetreefortwilliam.co.uk/
Nevis Bank - Fort William Hotel
Accommodation – Snowdonia
Snowdon Bunkhouse - Yr Helfa is a traditional bunkhouse situated in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park - Great location and views.
Pen-y-Gwryd – Claims to be the best hotel for mountaineering in Great Britain – The successful 1953 Everest team would probably agree!
Bryn Tyrch Hotel – Hotel in Capel Curig, Good beer and garden next to the river, good food and views.
Galt-y-Glyn – Hotel on the outskirts of Llanberis featuring the highly popular pizza and a pint night.
www.a1tourism.com/uk/galltygl.html
First Aid Training
React First - React First is dedicated to the provision of top quality first aid training in both the urban workplace and the more specialised, remote environments where further skills are required.
Other Guiding and Instructing Organisations
Scotland
Alpha Mountaineering - Nick Carter's mountaineering company, offering all aspects of mountain training and guiding in the Scottish Highlands, summer and winter.
Northern Mountain Sport– Tim Blakemore's Edinburgh based instructing and guiding company
www.northernmountainsport.co.uk
West Coast Mountain Guides – Alan Kimber’s long standing guiding outfit based in Fort William
www.westcoast-mountainguides.co.uk
England
Mobile Rock Climbing Tower to Hire in Sussex, Surrey, Kent and London – Altitude’s eye catching portable rock climbing wall is the premier mobile climbing tower in the Southeast of England for all ages and abilities. Operating out of Sussex, Altitude Events also offer a full Team Building and Event Management service.
Hatt Adventures – Courses and experiences in rock climbing and abseiling, navigation and mountaineering, bushcraft and survival, canoeing and kayaking, first aid courses
Wales
The Rock Climbing Company - Silvia Fitzpatrick's company offering rock climbing and scrambling courses in N.Wales and Spain.
Mountain Art
Hamish Fulton – Stylish site showcasing some of Hamish’s walking inspired works
David Wilson - Lime Tree Gallery – A working Artist Studio and Gallery in Fort William features the work of renowned landscape artist David Wilson.
www.limetreefortwilliam.co.uk/artist
Mountain Art – A Excellent on-line gallery and shop in Llanberis profiling the work of Mountain Artist, geologist and climber, Anthony 'Ginger' Cain.
Organisations
BMG – British Mountain Guides
IFMGA – International Federation of Mountain Guiding Associations
BMC – British Mountaineering Council.
Mountaineering Council of Scotland
www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk
The Climbers Club
The Alpine Club
Equipment and Shops
5.10 – Excellent rock boots and approach shoes
Scarpa - Mountain Footwear
Wild Country – Lightweight karabiners, rocks, friends etc.
Black Diamond – Excellent hardwear from cams and harnesses to ice screws and axes
Crux – Tough, lightweight rucksacks and tents
www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Mail_Order_Crux_147.html
Needlesports – Efficient online shopping with sound advice
Skiing
Group Skiing Holidays - Whether you’re a family looking for a charming cosy chalet with door-step skiing or a group looking for the best après ski activities in a chic vibrant town, Eclipse Ski will provide you with a first-rate service booking your trip to the mountains.
British Alpine Ski School (BASS) - Chamonix – High quality ski instruction based in the Chamonix Valley
Off Piste Skiing - Ski guiding, coaching, off-piste and steep skiing courses based in the French Alps.
