CheapTents.com Outdoor Gear Blog

At last the waiting is over and the Harrogate Climbing Wall is now open.

Get yourselves down here and get climbing.

Harrogate Climbing Centre (HCC) offers both indoor climbing and bouldering, as well indoor and outdoor climbing courses and qualifications. On offer are taster courses for people new to climbing, beginners courses and courses for climbers to develop their skills and even leader courses.

HCC's 14 meter multi-angled climbing wall.

The main indoor climbing wall is a whopping 14 meter multi-angled wall, designed by Entre-Prises. Climbing grades range from 3+ to 8a. There is also a bouldering section which features problems from V0 – V8, as well as a Fr7b stamina circuit.

• New Bouldering Wall Announced for Manchester
• Newcastle Climbing Wall now open!
• Where’s my nearest indoor climbing wall?

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team have put together a very cute little video to promote the sale of “Mountain Rescue Teddies” as part of their fund raising efforts. The video which is posted on You Tube is embedded below. It shows the teddy mountain rescue team embark on a heroic mountain rescue typical of the type of rescue the real Wasdale team embark upon in real life.

• If you go down to the woods today…
• Nine Edges Endurance Event needs Marshalls
• Scafell Pike Ascent via Mickledore

The UK Government has today revealed plans to microchip walkers in a bid to cut down on the time it takes to return lost hikers to their families. The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith MP, told us that

The number of walkers becoming disorientated and lost is on the increase. When they are found, many of the lost walkers are dazed, confused and have no idea where they are, they are often suffering from amnesia. Reuniting them with their families takes time and uses up resources.

• Online mapping tools to stop getting lost!
• Green is good, so don’t wait for the weekend!
• BMC gets reception at 10 Downing Street…

Last week, a new Head was appointed to take charge of Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre in the Cairngorms.  Bob Kinnaird, who has been chief executive of CairnGorm Mountain Ltd for the last eight years, will take up his new role at Glenmore Lodge in December.  Bob will be taking over from Tim Walker, who has held the post for over 31 years.

Bob Kinnaird

Mr Kinnaird has spent a lifetime working in, or around, mountains, previously being responsible as the chief outdoro instructor for British Mountaineering Training Centre in Norway and chief exectutive of the British Association of Snowsports Instructors.

• Newcastle Climbing Wall now open!
• Interview with Mountain Leader Training Association UK
• BMC gets reception at 10 Downing Street…

Headlines over the weekend have been highlighting what has been some of the worst storms to face ‘The Original Mountain marathon’, causing it to be called off for the first time in it’s 40 year history.

The Original Mountain Marathon, near Keswisk, Cumbria

Each year several hundred people take part in this mountain marathon, a fell run over very challenging terrain in the Lake District.

It involves teams of two, carrying all clothing, equipment, tent, sleeping bag, and their food for 36 hours, during the run. They must also navigate their own route and camp out overnight.

• Mourne Mountain Way Marathon Announced
• Mourne Way Marathon 2010 Announced
• The Marathon Des Sables Race, 2009

Let us know if there’s something you would like adding to the CheapTents.com blog.

We’re more than happy to add your achievements, events and anything else newsworthy to help the outdoor community.

Maybe you would like to recount a feet of bravery, news of an upcoming event or show-off about your biggest achievement!  or even share your opinions on gear through a gear review…

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And thanks from all of the CheapTents.com Team for reading this blog!

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Here’s a summary of the big news stories in the Outdoor Industry so far this Summer:

The North Face

The North Face sponsored ultra-marathon. Jez Bragg broke another record by winning The Devil o’ the Highlands on the 9th August by knocking an astonishing 46 minutes off the existing record, finishing in 5 hours 22 minutes.

The Devil o’ the Highlands features some of the best competitors in the challenging sport of ultra-running, where each runner is given 12 hours to complete the course, over mountain and vale running from Tyndrum to Fort William.

Jez Bragg comments:

• iRoc Race: Run, Cycle and Orienteer on Durham Downs
• iRoc 2010 Now Open for Entry
• Exclusive Interview! Professional endurance runner: Sam Thompson