Posts Tagged ‘Lake District’
The Asgard Project – film to be released Nov 20th
Wall climbing is one of the more extreme sports that we blog about but when that wall is a mile high and you only have a narrow window of opportunity in which to make that climb you can understand why we believe this to be one of the most extreme challenges that we have come across this year.
The Asgard project is top climber Leo Houlding’s ambitious expedition to make the first free ascent of Mt Asgard’s daunting north face – regarded as one of the most difficult big walls in the world.
Mt Asgard
Mt Asgard is part of the Baffin Mountains in Canada’s Nanavut Province and is one of the most spectacular peaks on Baffin Island. It contains two peaks, both flat-topped cylindrical rock towers, separated by a saddle. The northeast peak is slightly higher than the southwest peak. The northeast peak is a 1200-m vertical rock climb, and is one of the most difficult climbs on Baffin Island.
With great support from main sponsors Berghaus and Nokia, Houlding set about putting a team together which would film their attempt on the summit. To reach Mount Asgard, Houlding, with fellow top climbers Sean ‘Stanley’ Leary and Carlos Suarez, learn how to fly in a wing suit. The plan was to leave the scene of their conquest via a wing suit - a trick that had already been enacted when 007 BASEjumps off a cliff in the opening sequence of the 1976 Bond classic The Spy Who Loved Me, the scene was filmed from Asgard. Perhaps it did not quite work out like that; what is sure is that the film and rigging crew had to take on a gruelling 5 day trek carrying 30kg packs.
The You Tube video from HospitalRecords shows Houlding and Suarez learning how to fly in a wing suit.
Let’s see how events did turn out in this next video from posingpodcasts as the guys went sky diving to make their arrival rather more extreme and altogether less burdensome - all right for some!
It is an exciting and extreme adventure the outcome of which can be seen when the film première’s on November 20th at the Kendal Mountain Festival which runs from Nov 19th to 22nd at Kendal, the gateway to the Lake District in north west England.
This comes from their own website www.mountainfest.co.uk
Kendal is by far the largest and most varied event of its type in Europe and it’s the main social event for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK. At the heart of Kendal’s programme is the mountain film competition, attracting film premières from around the world. Over 50 films are screened (from 200+ entries) with ten coveted prizes up for grabs.
Together with the Art and Book Festivals, speciality Bike, Snowsports, Wild Water and Free-Flight nights, the Boardman Tasker literary award plus the Adventure Film Academy for aspiring filmmakers, make it one of the best mountain festivals in the world.
THE MANAGEMENT ARE SORRY TO INFORM YOU THAT ALL TICKETS FOR THE PREMIERE ARE SOLD!
Not surprising – this is one we will have to get hold of…..watch this space. If you want to visit the project’s website it is
http://www.theasgardproject.com
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Extreme unicycling on Mount Everest
We’ve written about unicycling before as an extreme sport on its own and shown videos of how the art should be practiced but when you combine unicycling with Mount Everest, at the same time, surely you must be talking of an extreme extreme. Would you not agree? Either that or this guy should take a vacation in the nearest mental asylum – unicycling on Mount Everest? You gotta be kidding…….no, then read on.
It may be loved by clowns and jugglers, but the unicycle would hardly be the vehicle of choice for anyone tackling Mount Everest.
Except for extreme unicyclist Steve Colligan… who intends to do just that to get into the record books.
The father of two will have to overcome 5,000m (16,400ft) mountains, minus 15°C temperatures and negotiate the world’s largest downhill ride, all on one wheel.
His 1,000km (600-mile) ride across the roof of the world will take him along the backbone of the Himalayas from Lhasa in Tibet to Kathmandu in Nepal, via Everest base camp.
Mr Colligan, who has been unicycling for eight years, has specialised in mountain unicycling – muni to aficionados – for six years.
He has ridden down Snowdon five times, Scafell Pike in the Lake District twice and Ben Nevis (twice off-road) and along the Great Wall of China. But he describes this 25-day trip as ‘my biggest challenge yet’.
Mr Colligan said: ‘This will be 1,000km of unicycling across five mountain passes over 5,000m high, with the biggest decent in the world, at 4,600m. The route will go via Everest base camp on the Tibetan side.
‘Most the riding will be dirt roads, so I’m taking my distance unicycle, fitted with an off-road tyre.
‘The second part of my trip to the Himalayas will be riding down many 5,000m peaks in Nepal.’
The 47-year-old, from Manchester, is undertaking the feat next week to raise money to build a school in Nepal.
He added: ‘This is going to be an extreme ride, but what an experience it will be.’ To follow his progress see www.unicyclesteve.com
You know you’ve got to admire the guy – not only is this one of the craziest extreme sporting challenges that we have come across and so one can but imagine the self esteem that he will engender if he is successful – he certainly won’t be lost for a story at his next dinner party or when his grandson asks him ‘What did you do Grandad?’ – but the fact is that this extreme will raise money for the building of a school in a place where education is badly needed, and the resources to educate are even scarcer.
Here are some facts that I picked up from Wikipedia: the national literacy rate for those over 15 was reported to be 48.2% (female: 34.6%, male: 62.2%) in the Population Census of 2001, up from about 5% in 1952/54, schooling for the general population only began in 1951 – before that it had been reserved for the ruling classes.
Wikipedia goes on to say: ‘Despite examples of success, there are still many problems and challenges. Educational management, quality, relevance, access are some of the critical issues of education in Nepal. Societal disparities based on gender, ethnicity, location, economic class, etc. are yet to be eliminated. Resource crunch has always been a problem in education. These problems have made the goal of education for all a challenge for the country.’
So good luck Steve – we hope you raise a lot of money and have a great trip – we look forward to keeping tags on your progress.
Thanks to Jo Steele of the Metro.co.uk for this article.
Some ideas to get out 'n about this summer in England
Ok so I can hear you all screaming and yelling and saying ‘that’s not extreme’ – you know something – you are absolutely right. But here at xtremesports4u.com we recognise the need for all of us to turn off the telly and get out and about – you don’t have to risk breaking a limb – and so I am indebted to Ed Douglas of the guardian.co.uk who has put this list of 10 places to go for something to do in the big outdoors. I risk being reprimanded by my partner but hey that’s a risk worth taking cos getting outside is a start, it can inspire kids, open their minds – let let smell the land and the sea, let them ask the questions – so no regrets and thanks again Ed.
1: iTry, Snowdonia
North Wales has a mind-spinning range of activities on offer, from high-ropes courses, to rock climbing, to canoeing or just exploring the region’s stunning landscape and wildlife. But if you don’t want to sign the whole family up to an expensive course they may not like, a sparkling new initiative called iTry matches you up with taster sessions to suit your interests, budget and level of commitment. You tell them what you want, they put you in touch with the expertise you need.
· Call 0844 9022970 9am to 5pm, or itry-snowdonia.com. Runs until August 31.
2: Tree climbing, Cornwall
Mighty Oak runs courses where kids can rediscover the old-school joys of tree climbing, but on really big trees secured by the latest safety equipment. Until you’ve hung around the tree-tops and seen the world from a nesting bird’s perspective, you really haven’t lived. Mighty Oak will even let you sleep overnight on high, roosting in a four-cornered hammock, rocked to sleep by the breeze. Oh, and you’re tied to a safety rope, so don’t panic.
· Guided climbing session and one night’s camping costs £140 per person. 07890 698651, mighty-oak.co.uk
Learning the ropes … tree climbing in Cornwall
3: Bushcraft, Wiltshire
What with soaring oil and food prices, it might be worth the whole family picking up some survival skills. Alas, junior courses with the woodlore guru Ray Mears have long since sold out. Book soon for 2009. In the meantime, check out the Wilderness Gathering, a three-day event where you can see everything from spoon carving to survival fishing techniques. Top bushcraft instructors include John Rhyder from Woodcraft School, Ray Mears’s former head instructor.
· Tickets £7.50 per day, £4.50 for Under 16s. Weekend pass with camping and introductory courses, £70 for adults, £30 for Under16s. 0845 8387062, wildernessgathering.co.uk.
4: Lundy Island, Devon
A lump of granite poking 400ft out of the Atlantic where it meets the Bristol Channel, Lundy is perfect for trad pastimes like fossicking in rock pools and bird-watching, and is home to England’s only statutory marine reserve. There are guided walks and snorkelling safaris, and if you’re feeling adventurous, rock climbing and diving. Accommodation ranges from a 13th-century castle to a lighthouse, all beautifully restored and furnished by the Landmark Trust.
· Family tickets on the MS Oldenburg from Bideford are £70 return for two adults and two children. +44 (0)1271 863636, lundyisland.co.uk.
5: Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland
With the British Museum taking a look at Hadrian’s legacy, you can introduce your children to his furthest outpost and get the little darlings to patrol it. There is a path running along the length of Hadrian’s Wall, but the section between Steel Rigg to Housesteads is widely regarded as the finest with a visit to Housesteads Castle en route.
· Shepherds Walks is a small local guiding company run by Jon Monks with a growing reputation for offering guided and self-guided walks throughout Northumberland. The five-hour, seven-mile circular route from Steel Rigg costs £8 per person. www.shepherdswalks.co.uk.
6: L-plate adventures, Cairngorms National Park
Glenmore Lodge is Scotland’s national outdoor training centre, but if that all sounds a little too grown-up and committed, in July and August the Lodge is offering taster sessions for 12 to 16-year-olds. Each session is half a day, and you can try mountain biking, orienteering, kayaking and rock climbing, or spend the whole day in the spectacular Cairngorm mountains, learning about navigation and what to take on the hill.
· Each half session is £12, or do two in one day for £20. Bring your own sandwiches. +44 (0)1479 861256, glenmorelodge.org.uk.
7: Otter watching, Peak District
Photograph: Bryn Colton/Assignments Photographers/Corbis Watching an otter can cheer the gloomiest heart, even one deprived of its Gameboy. The Chestnut Centre has a range of different otter species, as well as caring for orphaned otters that are eventually released back into the wild – and if that doesn’t make your heart melt nothing will. Set in 50 acres in the Peak District near Chapel-en-le-Frith, other attractions include 16 species of owls, plus a wide range of indigenous species. But you’ll have to leave your dog at home.
· Family tickets £20, open from 10.30am, last entrance at 4pm. +44 (0)1298 814099, chestnutcentre.co.uk.
8: Coasteering, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
If you want to take exploring the coastline to its ultimate conclusion, consider booking the family onto a “coasteering” course with TYF Adventure. Essentially, you put on a wetsuit and a helmet, and then spend a few hours scrambling and swimming around Pembrokeshire’s spectacular coastline with a guide to show you what’s safe and what’s not. If you’re up for it, you can jump off some unnervingly high cliffs, too. Accommodation is available in the TYF Eco Hotel, now certified organic.
Get there without a car, and they’ll give you a free drink.
· Take old trainers, other gear provided. Half-day sessions £40 for under 16s. Minimum age eight. B&B from £35 per person per night. +44 (0)1437 721611, tyf.com
9: Swallows and Amazons, Lake District
Fans of Arthur Ransome’s magical adventures travel from all over the world to explore the lakes and fells where many of the stories are set. Although Ransome disguised exact locations, they are recognisable. The writer Roger Wardle pieced together the clues in his guidebook In Search of Swallows and Amazons: Arthur Ransome’s Lakeland (Sigma, £8.95). Hire a canoe, go for a swim, or stay at one of the pubs or farms that feature in the series, like Bank Ground Farm, in Coniston, also featured in the film.
· B&B £45 per person, younger children pay a nominal charge, +44 (0)15394 41264, bankground.com.
10: Surf’s up, Gower, Wales
Photograph: Peter Price A Frame photography It’s not just about Mandarin and piano lessons. What kids really need to make it in the modern world are advanced surfing skills. The Welsh Surfing Federation has a not-for-profit surf school at Llangennith on the Gower, with the right kit for novices, and two two-hour lessons each day, as the surf allows. And if you’ve never explored the Gower itself before, it’s the perfect spot for a family camping holiday.
· Introductory half-day session £25, subsequent lessons are £20, all gear included, +44 (0)1792 386426, wsfsurfschool.co.uk
Tragedy in the Lake Disrict for rock climber
His devastated partner, Amanda Allchurch, was being comforted at home in West Park Avenue, Ashton, Preston, by her son, who has flown back from Afghanistan. RAF communications expert Lee Cartmell, 22, who keeps pilots in contact with their bases in the warzone, jetted back just hours after the accident.
Today, the family paid tribute to the popular dad, who lost his life in an accident in the Langdale area of the Lakes on Sunday. Amanda said her partner of 15 years, known as ‘Cutty’, was a “loving family man”.
She said he had a passion for rock climbing and was with fellow members of the Preston Mountaineering Club, one of who took the final photograph of Steve, when the accident happened.
She said: “He was just a lovely person, always laughing and joking. He was always happiest when he was with his family and we cannot describe how much we are going to miss him. “Rock climbing was his life. He had done the Alps and was always up in the Lakes climbing; he had a real passion for it.” She said his employers at King’s Butchers in Broadway, Fulwood, had been besieged with tributes.
Stepson Lee, who thanked the RAF for their understanding, was home within 13 hours of hearing the news.
He said: “I got the message from my mum and within an hour-and-a-half of me talking to my commanding officer I was on a Hercules heading to Dubai.” From there, I was met by someone who took me from the airbase to the main airport and flew business class to London. It was unbelievable – me in my ragged boots and trackies surrounded by all these businessmen in suits.”
Mr Cutler’s daughter Amy, 17, lives at their home in Preston.
An inquest will open at Preston Coroner’s Court tomorrow. The family has requested any donations be made to Mountain Rescue.
Steve Cutler, who fell to his death shortly after this photo was taken.
Thanks to David Coates of the Lancashire Evening Post who brought this news to my attention.
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