CheapTents.com Outdoor Gear Blog

As you know, we are always on the look out for amazing outdoor people that achieve such amazing things in their chosen outdoor sport, and today is no exception.

Alison Gannett, alisongannet.com

About Alison Gannett

Alison Gannett is a world champion big mountain free skier, and if you didn’t think this was enough she is also a ski film star, mountain biker and an award-winning consultant for solutions to climate change.

Here’s the interview…

CheapTents.com: What inspired you to get into outdoor sports?

Alison: I love being outside, and I have a passion for the natural environment. I love sports that get me so focused that my crazy brain gets to relax and be in the moment-  it is like meditation for me.

CheapTents.com: What has been your greatest outdoor sporting achievements?

Alison: World Champion Freeskier, Utra Endurance Mountain bike champion, many first ski descents/ski mountaineering expeditions around the world.

CheapTents.com: What is you biggest weakness?   Sport or otherwise…

Alison: My biggest weakness is that I LOVE food, but I’m not sure that is a bad thing, as I love GOOD food, organic, homegrown, etc.

CheapTents.com: When did you feel like you ‘made it’ in your field of outdoor sports? And do you feel like you’ve satisfied your goals?

Alison: My big break was in 1998, when I won the World Freeskiing Championships and debuted some sick chick segments in MSP and TGR ski movies. But my ski expeditions to weird places are always my favorite of all - I like getting away from “the scene”. I also was recently selected by Outside magazine as a “Green All-Star” next to Leonardo Dicaprio and Arnold Schwarzenegger - that was maybe my proudest moment so far.

Alison Gannnett, alisongannett.com

CheapTents.com What do you find most challenging about training?   Any tips to overcome these challenges?

Alison: I think my biggest challenge is cold weather - at least just getting out the door…or the tent. I don’t view my work as “training” per se, I choose things that make training more like having fun.

Alison Gannett

CheapTents.com Blood thirsty question now, what has been your worst injury (if any) from outdoors sports and how did it happen?

Alison: Double knee blowout in the X-Games. I’ve now had 8 knee surgeries, which is hard on a ski career. Luckily, Dr. Stone in California gave me a new cadaver meniscus a few years ago, and I can jump off cliffs and run again. It is a groundbreaking procedure, and I don’t think anyone else in the world is doing it yet.

CheapTents.com What will be your most challenging climbs and skis for next year?

Alison: I’m working on ski mountaineering expeditions to Colombia and Greenland. Logistics are always the hardest part for me. I’m traveling the world working to teach folks solutions to climate change, so I have to fit lots into my schedule.

CheapTents.com: Where would you like to be in 5 years time? Main Ambitions?

Alison: I’ve got many dream ski mountaineering trips, in crazy places, where I will work on first ascents/descents. My main worry is that global warming is happening so fast that we won’t be even thinking about this crazy stuff, because providing the basics, like food for ourselves will consume our time. That is why I devout so much time to saving our snow and ice. We need to change our lives so that our kids and grandkids can enjoy the climbing that we enjoy.

CheapTents.com: For other budding outdoor sports enthusiasts, what tips can you provide to help other compete at a higher level?

Alison: Follow your passion and do what you love. The sky is the limit if you love what you do, and are persistent and dedicated.

Alison Ganneett

CheapTents.com: What are your favourite bits of gear, and why?

Alison: For me, it is about lightweight, combined with function and durability, and environmental sustainability: I love the Patagonia Down Sweater, MSR hubba hubba HP, Nemo GoGo, MSR reactor, Osprey Talon, Clif Organic Shot Blocks, Smartwool hats, gloves, socks and sweaters, HEAD Sweet One’s, Karhu Berthas, Patagonia hooded micropuff, Steripen water filter,

CheapTents.com: 12. Any people or sponsors that you’d like thank?  Any other comments?

Alison: I’d like to thank my mom, for expanding my horizons and supporting my wierd career/life. don’t forget to make some changes to your life to help save our planet, our snow and ice, etc for future generations. Do you think that you are green? calculate your carbon footprint/energy use on www.carbonfootprint.com. Once you can see where you need to improve, start with small things like contacting your electric company for an energy audit,, turn off your lights and computer, change lightbulbs to compact fluourescents or LED’s, inflate your tires, use a metal water bottle, stop buying bottled water, use your own coffee cup etc. www.alisongannett.com for more info.

CheapTents.com: On behalf of all of our visitors, thanks for giving us this time Alison!  There’s plenty of stuff here to inspire people to get out there and enjoy the environment, and of course, look after it.

Alison Gannett Career Highlights

1987 - BS, Magna Cum Laude, Honors UVM
1991 - Grad Degree - Solar Energy International
1991 - First Global Cooling Consulting Company
1995 - First ski movies - Warren Miller and TGR
1997 - First Straw home, designed and built
1998 - Wins World Cup Freeskiing Titles
1999 - TGR Harvest Straightline Alaska Segment
1999 - Powder Magazine FreeSkier of the Year
1999 - X Games in Crested Butte
2000 - NBC Gravity Games Bronze Medal
2004 - Founds Office for Resource Efficiency
2006 - Founds Save our Snow Foundation
2006 - Founds CROP™ Framework for Global Warming Solutions
2006 - Joins The Equilibrium Fund
2006 - Selected to train with Al Gore
2007 - Outside Magazine Green All Star
2007-8 - becomes the solutions trainer for Al Gore’s TCP staff
2007-8 - Converts the 1st Solar-powered SUV PHEV in the world to get 100+MPG.
2008 - Founds the SOS Foundation - www.sosfound.org - to help save our snow and water for future generations through an extreme sports multi media educational platform.

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Not Just Ice Climbing…Crampon Dancing!

If you are lucky this winter, lots of snow will fall on the hills and mountains near where you live. You will be able to get out your crampons and ice axes and go mountaineering. Alternatively you could do the crampon dance…

Advice about choosing winter mountaineering accessories can be found on our ice axe and crampons advice page. Obviously if you do not have any winter accessories, then you can buy crampons and ice axes from us

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Royal Naval Mountaineering Expedition

Exercise Khumbu Challenge is an armed forces mountaineering expedition to climb peaks around the foothills of Mount Everest, Nepal. Taking place in October / November 2009 it will involve 85 personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, including those wounded or traumatised in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Prince Harry is the royal patron of Exercise Khumbu Challenge, which he launched at Devonport Naval Base earlier this month.

Among the personnel taking part in the mountaineering exercise are Marines Ben McBean and Mark Ormrod. Both of whom were injured in Afghanistan and have lost limbs as a result of their injuries. Marine McBean is looking forward to the challenge and said that:

“This expedition will show that even if you are injured fighting in Afghanistan then there is still a future in the Royal Marines. We are not forgotten, but can still work in the marines and also undertake a strenuous mountaineering challenge.”

Sir Jonathan Band, military patron of Exercise Khumbu Challenge said:

“This is a fantastic challenge. Some of these people have suffered some really rough luck serving their country doing what they can in the war. Now they will be facing this huge mountain, I wish them all the best.”

We would also like to wish all the team members every success for what will be tough yet rewarding challenge. These brave personnel are an inspiration!

More details about mountaineering Exercise Khumbu Challenge can be found on the Royal Navy Website.

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High summits ‘could harm brain’

According to an article published on the BBC’s website dated 19/10/08, mountaineers may suffer brain damage. Is this actually any surprise? How many times have you trudged up a mountain in the Lake District, North Wales, Scotland or elsewhere in the pouring rain with zero visibility, your hands and feet are cold, the wind is biting, your legs are aching, despite owning quality waterproofs you are still wet and maybe you’ve got blisters too? And you’re doing this for fun. And you claim that you don’t have brain damage? Come on!

But seriously…
We’re not talking about the little mountains in the UK. According to Dr Mike Grocott of University College London

Most climbers are aware that if you are going over 8,000 metres, there may be a small amount of damage to the brain associated with that

Mountaineers have had MRI scans before and after ascents up some of the world’s tallest mountains and the research has shown that there has been changes in the brain tissue. This has been attributed to the lower amounts of oxygen at higher altitudes. Fortunately the mountaineers did not suffer any significant neuropsychological changes.

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Having recently traveled to India I was gutted to find out that I had missed out on an opportunity to visit the Indian Mountaineering Foundation Museum in New Delhi. I found some information about the museum on a tourist map but neither the address nor the location of the museum were actually shown on the map. A taxi driver told me that it was a long way off and, since I was running short of time I abandoned the idea. However it turned out that the museum was just round the corner from my hotel so I could have gone there after all!

Tenzing Norgay Museum

The museum, known as the Tenzing Norgay Museum, is a two-tier hall containing exhibits, pictures, panoramas and dioramas etc. depicting various facets of the Himalayas, history of exploration, survey of the mountain peaks and development of mountaineering. The focus has been on mountaineering in the Indian Himalaya, with a section on Documentation and Information. It includes prominent sections on maps of the Himalayan states of India with a unique “professional class centre” of maps, panoramas and climbing and trekking routes.

There is also a climbing wall at the the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.

Help with Indian Expeditions

If you want to go on an expedition in India or go climbing or mountaineering in India then you will need to contact the Indian Mountaineering Foundation. Please see below for information about the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and how they can help you.

About the Indian Mountaineering Foundation

Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) as an apex national body, has the objective of organising, supporting and providing a base for expeditions for mountaineering, skiing, rock climbing, trekking at high altitudes and to promote, encourage, support and execute schemes for related adventure activities and environmental protection work in the Himalaya.

IMF co-ordinates climbing in the Indian Himalaya, organises national and international conferences, training / environment-cleaning camps and climbing competitions. IMF is closely associated with the Ministries of Sports, Home, Defence, Tourism and Environment of the Government of India. Foreigners can climb mountain peaks in India after obtaining the required clearances, which can be obtained with the help of the IMF .

IMF was formed in 1957 as the `Sponsoring Committee of the Cho Oyu Expedition, the success of which on May 15, 1958, encouraged the Committee to sponsor more expeditions. In 1959, it changed its name to the `Sponsoring Committee of Everest Expedition and in the following year `Sponsoring Committee for Mountaineering Expeditions. Finally, on January 15, 1961 a permanent organization was set up, in its role as the national body, with headquarters in New Delhi and was registered as such on November 3, 1961. Its building was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1980.

Contact details of The Indian Mountaineering Foundation:

The Indian Mountaineering Foundation is located at the University of Delhi (South Campus) in south Delhi, about halfway between the centre of New Delhi and Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Address:

The Indian Mountaineering Foundation
6, Benito Juarez Road
New Delhi– 110021
India

E-mail:
indmount@bol.net.in
director@indmount.org

Website:
Indian Mountaineering Foundation
http://www.indmount.org

Telephone:
+91 11 24111211
+91 11 24117935
+91 11 24111572

Fax: +91 11 24113412

I want more info!

If you like this post and want more advice on climbing, or insights into the life of mountaineers, including Renan Ozturk, Kit Deslauriers and Kevin Thaw then follow the highlighted links.

If you’ve been to the Indian Mountaineering Foundation or know of someone that has, share your thoughts.  It’s a great resource and one that certainly needs supporting considering how many climbers it helps!

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Kevin Thaw’s Top 10 Tips for calling your mum from Everest’s summit

Kevin Thaw is a technical whiz on expeditions around the world.  Summiting Everest is one thing, but then imagine being given the task of dealing with communications too!  Considering there aren’t any phone boxes up there or internet cafe’s it’s quite a responsibility…

Chatting to your mates on top of Mount Everest is possible though, just follow these tips provided by Kevin Thaw in an interview with the timesonline.co.uk…

1. Keep your mobile under your armpit or in your pocket - the cold wears the battery down faster
2. Avoid hard drives in flavour of Flash memory - there’s no problem with ‘diminishing air cushions’
3. Don’t breathe on touch-screens - the steam will freeze
4. Use a geo-stationary, rather than an orbital, satellite - the signal is interrupted less
5. Fashion a pointer so you don’t have to take your gloves off when you type
6. Use POP, rather than web, e-mail - it’s ‘more seamless’
7. Use AA batteries, lithium rather than alkaline. They last longer
8. Create a new e-mail account, so you get less time-wasting spam
9. Get an iPAC pocket PC - they’re the only ones that take all memory cards
10. Use an old-fashioned car cigarette lighter adapter to connect devices to a battery pack for charging.

If you enjoyed this, then you might also enjoy the CheapTents.com in-depth interview with prolific climber Kevin Thaw.

Your thoughts…

Do you have any tips on how to look after your gear and technology when out and about?  Let us know by posting your comments below...

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Help getting sponsorship…

We realise it’s not easy breaking into the professional world of outdoor sports.  The British Mountaineering Council have been lobbying for many years for more funding and increased status of outdoor sports, so we know it’s not easy.

We can help you increase your profile…

If you’re an amateur outdoor sports person we might be able to give you the leg up that you need to increase your profile and get sponsored by one of the big outdoor brands out there. Being seen to be actively in the public limelight is a major advantage.

We can get up to 50,000 visitors or more through our site each month, so although we do not have the budgets to provide financial sponsorship, we will be more than happy to help you raise your profile by plugging your achievements, your ambitions, and anything else for that matter via the CheapTents.com blog!

Already Sponsored?

If you are already sponsored by an outdoor gear manufacturer, then why not increase your profile some more and blog for us?!  It will help keep them sweet by providing ongoing exposure in a very prominent way and encourages their continued support.  Sounds good doesn’t it?

Mountain Bike Rider Sponsorship?

Cross country mountain biker, downhill mountain biker or road racer?  Get in touch!

Source: Flickr, Marilia Almeida

Trail Running Sponsorship?

You might be an endurance runner, ultramarathon runner or adventure runner.  Get in touch!

Triathalon Sponsorship?

Runner, swimmer and rider?  Maybe your triathlons include alternative sports, such as kayaking?  Get in touch!

Mountaineering Sponsorship?

Expeditions, travel and summitting mountains is not cheap, and sponsorship is not easy to get hold of so increase your exposure by blogging on the CheapTents.com blog!

Source: Flickr, Ikerenders

Climbing Sponsorship?

Free-climber, sports climber, boulderer, alpine, ice, big wall climber?  Get in touch!

Worldwide Travel?

Maybe you want to raise awareness to international news, provide advice, or share traveling tips.  Get in touch!

Get in touch!

If all this sounds perfect for you and you’re more than happy to provide an insight into your sporting life, then by all means get in touch with a mini-bio and some achievements you’ve had to date, at ben[at]cheaptents.com (replace [at] with @).

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Kevin Thaw is part of The North Face, a feet that many climbers, mountaineers and outdoor sports people would love to have under their belt.  Their trademarked tagline “never stop exploring” becomes all the more relevant with adventurers such as Kevin Thaw.

Kevin might be modest when talking about his achievements, but rest assured a list of summits longer than my arm would not do this prolific climber justice (see below).  Expeditions have included summitting the north face of Everest, tracing George Mallorey’s steps with fellow mountaineer, Conrad Anker.

The North Face states:

Often heralded as the U.K.’s number one all-around climber, Kevin has consistently performed at the top level of many disciplines – alpine, big wall, traditional, ice, mixed and bouldering – and shows no sign of slowing down.

With this, you can see why CheapTents.com are so excited to have this insight into the life and motivations of Kevin Thaw…

Kevin Thaw Interview

Kevin Thaw, Pro Climber & Mountaineer

CheapTents.com What inspired you to get into Climbing?
Kevin: My initial motivation to get out the door for a first vertical experience came from a TV show. Britain’s three channels at the time had myself and all local friends watching the same morning program: Two chaps climbing a route at Millstone quarry (Oxford street if current and ancient memories are cross referencing correctly) in the UK’s Peak District. Phone calls immediately bounded between several of us and venue was narrowed from many options.  My ancestral locale has sufficient venues to warrant it’s own guidebook, Chew Valley – Moorland Gritstone, abundant in steep .

A washing line of the 7mm-ish plastic coated variety was the only cord glean-able at such short notice. Den Lane quarry was the chosen venue, closest to the village. Upon arrival it became apparent that none of us had actually picked up on how the rope played into climbing, even though it was the most crucial and only piece of gear we had? We eventually secured it atop the chosen crack line and ‘chicken soloed’ next to it (free climbing with the idea of grasping the rope should anything go wrong? Can’t say I’d recommend such a method to begin steep endeavours, local climbers seemed the think the same after seeing our repeated visits without procedure change, finally a couple of climbers took us aside an literally showed us the ropes.

Harnesses were purchased directly from the Troll factory and a rope was “found” at a nearby pallet (wooden crates designed for fork lifter loading) factory. Each week a new piece was added to the rack, safety to progress up the grade levels.

CheapTents.com: What has been your biggest sporting achievement?
Kevin: Hard to honestly pick a single achievement or particular ascent. I’ve found switching gears between climbing’s disciplines has kept motivation ebbing and always refreshed the set of goals. Can’t honestly say it’s a consciously shift from, say; Alpine or big walls to sport climbing or bouldering modes, environment of course dictates. New routes have always been a big motivation but again switching gears from the wee stones and crags to frosty Patagonian or Himalayan walls.

CheapTents.com: What is you biggest weakness?
Kevin: Fascinated by small electronic items, the more they do the harder to resist!

CheapTents.com: When did you feel like you ‘made it’ in your field of outdoor sports? And do you feel like you’ve satisfied your goals?
Kevin: Have I ‘made it?’

Certainly feel like the stack of goal has been whittled yet remains the same size?

CheapTents.com: What do you find most challenging about training?
Kevin: Weather always promotes the biggest hurdle for getting into motion. Indoor climbing is of course an option but again location dependent. Living in a couple of California’s climbing areas is of course hard to beat when seasonality is right. When Joshua Tree gets too hot or the monsoon season landed in Bishop I strangely feel deprived.

CheapTents.com: What has been your worst injury (if any) from outdoors sports and how did it happen?
Kevin: The 150ft Patagonian slab ride as a ledge collapsed under me could have been ‘the one’ but falling thirty feet from a gritstone route at the Roaches in England is certainly the most trauma suffered. Got away with a cracked heel from an on-sight attempt of Obsession Fatale E8 6c. A traditionally headpointed climb that felt right on that sticky feeling autumn evening.

Incidentally, ‘Headpointing’ is the technique of previewing a climb with the safety of a top-rope with a view to rehearsing a difficult yet unprotected (no safety fixtures in the rock) sequence of moves, then climbing it ‘by fair means’ from the ground up.

Six weeks down time was a considerably lucky outcome from what could easily have been life changing.

Kevin Thaw, Pro Mountaineer

CheapTents.com: What will be your most challenging climbs for next year?
Kevin: I’ve several plots in the mix for next year each could prove equally as challenging, sights are set firmly on a Patagonian goal and a Yosemite free climbing project. Plus am hoping current communication with a production company will come to fruition for a series of Big Wall shows. A high bar has been set for ascents to be filmed.

CheapTents.com: Where would you like to be in 5 years time? Main Ambitions?
Kevin: Not sure if one tour on this planet will be time enough to get through all that I’d like to do. Climbing goals aside, financial solvency is always a quest.

CheapTents.com: For other budding outdoor sports enthusiasts, what tips can you provide to help other compete at a higher level?
Kevin: Fuel your passion and get out there! If motivation can be kept on a high then training and activity should easily fall into place!

CheapTents.com: What are your favourite bits of gear, and why?
Kevin: I don’t think I’ve done a trip without a North Face Redpoint jacket since their invention. Warmth to weight ratio is hard to beat and of course is fashionable enough for cosmopolitan area. Certainly my most consistently carried garment.

CheapTents.com: Any people or sponsors that you’d like thank?
Kevin: The North Face, Wild Country, Five Ten…

CheapTents.com: Anything else you would like to say?
Kevin: I hope you find the wide eyed adventure and fun that I feel the outdoors have granted me.

CheapTents.com: Achieving so much across your career and across so many different fields certainly is worthy a huge thank you for your inspiration and devotion to outdoor sports.  So, thank you from all of the CheapTents.com team, and also on behalf of our visitors.   We would also like to wish you all the success with everything you wish to achieve long into the future!

Kevin Thaw’s Career Highlights

Kevin Thaw, Experienced Pro Climbing

This is a very long list of multi-disciplined climbing and mountaineering skills, but highlights the wide range of exposure Kevin Thaw has had over the years.

Technology

Kevin is well known for his in-the-field tests and trials of technology in some of the most inhospitable parts of the world.  His experience of testing gadgets and technology in the field has lead him on many expeditions and provides a fantastic insight into how best to use things like satellite phones and pocket PC’s at altitude and in extreme temperatures, including the famous ‘Altitude Expedition’ last year that summitted Mount Everest.

TV, Film and Fame

Kevin Thaw has frequently been featured on the BBC and other Cable channels across the world.  Along with this, he is also featured in multiple publications, and how-to videos, satellite dispatches and documentaries.  Not only is he comfortable in front of the camera, he is also well know for rigging in challenging conditions for the entertainment industry - including stunt shots, aerials rigging and documentaries at altitude.

First Alpine Ascents:

• Fitzroy’s West face, 2600m VI 85º 11c (first free ascent) (Patagonia, Argentina).
• Cerro Standhardt, SCUD, 1,300 m., 5.11 A1+ W4+, direct start to Exocet (Patagonia, Argentina)
• Aguja de l’ S West face, “The Thaw’s Not Houlding Wright,” 1,400 m., 5.10+ (Patagonia, Argentina)
• Crowfoot Mountain, V WI4 M6 (Canadian Rockies)
• Mt. Temple’s north face, “Cup Tie” V 11 A2 (Canadian Rockies)

First Big Wall Ascents:

• El Capitan’s ‘Continental Drift’ VI 5.10 A4 (Yosemite, CA)
• ‘Dreams of Sea’ VI 5.10+ (The Kichatnas, AK)
• ‘Alaskan Rose’ V 11c (The Kichatnas, AK)
• ‘Sand, Sand n’ Sand’ VI 5.11+ A4 (Zion, UT)
• Sentinels Direct North face, V 12b, first free ascent (Yosemite, CA)

First Ice and Mixed Ascents:

• ‘Gogarth Crack’ M9 (Ouray, CO)
• ‘Careless Torque’ M8, ‘Staged Fright,’ M7, ‘Haggis Country,’ WI5 M7 (Lee Vining, CA)
• ‘Rebel Alliance’ VI 8 (Cairngorms, Scotland)

First Traditional UK Gritstone Ascents:

• ‘Order of the Phoenix’ E9 6c, ‘Sectioned’ E8 6c, ‘Scuttle Buttin’ E7 6c, ‘Minnie Monster’ E6/7 6c, ‘Breakin’ for a Bogey’ E6 6c, ‘Piedra Verde’ E6 6a, ‘Northern Passing’ XS 6c

First Californian Ascents:

• ‘Standard 8b’ 13c/d, ‘Brachiation Dance’ 13c, ‘Crema del Este’ 13b/c, ‘Car Logos n’ Savage Sets’ 5.13b, ‘Moondance’ 13b, ‘Nailed to the Cross’ 5.13a, ‘Cadillac Desert’ 13a, ‘Bolt Worthy’ 5.12d, ‘Toxteth Walk’ 5.12c, ‘Pennine Crack’ 12c, ‘To Hold’ 5.12c, ‘Druid’s Scoop’ E6 6a

First Bouldering Ascents:

• ‘Powerband West’ V11, ‘Satband’ V10, ‘Iron Slap’ V10, ‘Tidal Right’ V10, ‘Whale’ V10, ‘Grit Dreams’ V9, ‘Mooned’ V9, ‘Stateside’ V9
• Fitzroy’s North Pillar, 1,400m, 5.11+ (Patagonia)
• ‘Mutants Can Be Nice,’ 5.13, second ascent (Freeclimbing, U.K.)
• El Capitan: ‘Reticent Wall’ VI 5.9 A5 second ascent, “Plastic Surgery Disaster” VI 5.9 A5 second ascent (Yosemite, CA)
• Garhwal: attempted Kedar Dome’s E pillar alpine style (Himalaya, India)
• Jannu North Face: alpine-style attempt (Himalaya, Nepal)
• Flashed the second ascent of ‘Taste the Pain’ 13b (Joshua Tree, CA)
• Winter solos of ‘Slipstream’ V WI4+ and ‘Andromeda’s Shooting Gallery’ IV 9 M5 (Canadian Rockies)
• Solos of Midi’s ‘Frendo Spur’ TD (3h 56m), Swiss Route Les Courtes TD (3h 28m), north face of Les Droites ED1 (8h), Bonatti Zappelli, ED1 winter, ‘Rolling Stone’ ED3 and ‘No Siesta’ ED2/3, early repeats (Grandes Jorasses, Alps, France)
• ‘Replicant’ V WI 7, ‘French Reality’ V WI6+, ‘Nemesis’ VI WI6, ‘Sea of Vapours’ V M6 WI6+ (Canadian Rockies)

Gear-wise you can see a variety of lightweight outdoor clothing, ideal for climbing in all conditions, including lightweight insulated jackets and climbing gear.

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The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) last week met with the MP’s as their part in recognising the work of the BMC, of British mountaineering and more generally the role of sport in keeping Britain fit and healthy for longer.

The BMC’s influence in policy decisions from lobbying and government consultations to considerations over the freedoms and interests of hill walkers, mountaineers and climbers.  It also has had significant lobbying power to the Marine Bill and Working at Heights Directive.

Significant points that the British Mountaineering Council maintains, include:

• The prominence of British climbing and mountaineering on the world stage.
• The health, fitness and economic benefits of our sport.
• The relatively low level of financial support we receive from government in comparison to other sport.

10 Downing Street Party!

The BMC team was accompanied by a selection of some of the most respected mountaineers and climbers, including Leo Houlding and Chris Bonnington, along with Sport England representatitves and Sports Ministers, Gerry Sutcliffe.

The BMC states:

BMC President Dr Charles Clarke kicked off the proceedings by thanking John Mann MP for orchestrating the event which had come about because of Gordon Brown’s interest in hill walking. He acknowledged the history and achievements of British mountaineering, as well as the BMC’s lobbying work and importance of the BMC’s 500-strong volunteers.

In response to this recognition and support, the BMC took great pride in thanking the Government…

The BMC would like to thank the Prime Minister for inviting the BMC to Downing Street, Gerry Sutcliffe for hosting the event, John Mann MP for his continued help in forging links with government and helping the BMC get its voice heard in government and everyone else who attended.

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The Outdoor Industry Association published the results of an industry-wide consumer survey today, providing a great insight into consumer buying decisions.  Are you a bite-size outdoor sports enthusiast or a fully-committed one sports person?

What outdoor sports and activities do you do?

Respondents claimed to regularly participate in outdoor sports and activities.  These include:

• 91% - recreational walking
• 29% - road cycling
• 22% - mountain biking
• 15% - mountaineering
• 14% - snowboarding
• 13% - off-road running
• 13& - climbing

Bite-sized outdoor activities

Increasingly, it is understood that more and more people are taking up a wider variety of outdoor sports.  This makes great sense as it provides a different activity for different energy level, motivation, adrenaline needs, and season.

Some may say that it is also a reflection of the culture that we live in - searching for quick kicks, and variety in our day-to-day lives.  And we believe this is a great thing!

Economic change and environmental awareness

The growth of family camping is more than likely to be attributable to the economic climate, but also due to people’s increasing awareness of their impact of flights on the environment, in addition to an increasing desire to appreciate the environment that we live in.

As many as 67% of those questioned in the consumer survey claimed to buy environmentally friendly products (this does not mean just outdoor products), and 78% believe they are more expensive as a result.  Of those respondents 51% said they would pay more nonetheless.  Interesting stuff for outdoor gear manufacturers I’m sure.

The Respondents Profile

10,000 people were interviewed for this consumer survey, of which a total 61% of respondents were male and 38% female, and…

• 25%, 35-44 years,
• 25%, 45-54 years
• 22%, 55-64 years
• 15%, 25-34 years
• 7%, 65 and over
• 3%, 16-24 years

…providing a really interesting profile of the outdoor industry as a whole.  More to come on this very soon!

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