Challenging Winter Walking on Kinder Scout

Mike & Jane joined a group of fellow members of the Austrian Alpine Club for a walk on Kinder Scout.  Although the weather forecast was reasonable, the conditions proved to be somewhat 'wild', with high winds and frequent snow flurry's making walking quite a challenge!

Despite it all we managed to successfully cross the centre of the plateau and descend an icy Grindsbook without incident.  Well done to everyone who took part.

Autumn Navigation Courses – Peak Navigation Courses

Bookings are going well for the autumn round of Navigation Courses.  This coming Saturday (8th Oct) is over subscribed with only 3 places being left on the next introductory course (22nd October).  Full details of the current courses can be found on the Peak Navigation Courses website.

Jim’s final Munro, 1st October

Went up to Scotland last weekend to be part of Jim’s final Munro celebrations.  As the rest of the UK was basking in sunshine we enjoyed the mist and rain of a Scottish monsoon!  Already wet, we didn’t bother looking for stepping stones crossing the final stream.  We are not usually given to drinking alcohol whilst on the hill but it seemed obligatory to have the Scotch that was being passed round on the summit of Beinn Teallach (which we reached after ascending Beinn a Chaorainn).  Congratulations Jim!


The evening Ceilidh was such good fun and it was great to meet up with everyone who came on the Integral trip last summer.

Sierra Nevada, September 2011

Mike led some great excursions in Spain's Sierra Nevada recently:

• 2 accents of Mulhacen (mainland Spain’s highest at 3479m), 
• Trevenque  2079m “The Matterhorn of the Sierra Nevada,” 
• Alcazaba  3369m 3rd highest peak in the Sierra Nevada,
• Veleta 3396m, 2nd highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada,  
as well as the usual fun in the Rio Monachil and a stroll up to the Poqueira Refuge (2500m) for lunch.

The only downside was having my wallet with passport and bank cards stolen at Malaga Airport. Wasn’t watching my hand baggage whilst loading the hire car.  Apparently this type of crime is common in the underground car park at Malaga airport as there is no cctv there. BEWARE!

Daily Walking Excursions from Lanjaron and Capileira with a qualified International Mountain Leader

Mike is leading a programme of guided walks in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains during the coming week.  If you know anyone who is on holiday in Spain, do pass on the details:

Sunday 11th September
An ascent of Trevenque  2079m “The Matterhorn of The Sierra Nevada”
Departing Lanjaron 9am returning around 6pm.

Monday 12th September
An ascent of  Alcazaba  3369m 3rd highest peak in the Sierra Nevada. A long hard day, departing Lanjaron 7am returning late.  Pick up in Capileira at 7.45 am.

Tuesday 13th September  and  Sunday 18th September
An Ascent of Veleta 3396m, 2nd highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada
Departing Lanjaron 9am returning around 6pm.

Wednesday 14th September  and  Monday 19th September
An Ascent of Mulhacen 3479m, the highest mountain in mainland Spain.
A long hard day, departing Lanjaron 7am returning late.  Pick up in Capileira at 7.45 am.

Thursday 15th September  and  Tuesday 20th September
“Excitement in the Rio Monachil”. A good days walk involving several rope bridges and narrow canyons. Departing Lanjaron 9.30am returning around 5pm.

Friday 16th September
An ascent of Pico del Caballo 3011m.  Europe’s most westerly 3000m peak.
Departing Lanjaron 8am returning around 6pm.

Cost for all excursions is €40. Price includes the qualified guide and transport.  You will need to wear good walking boots and clothing suitable for the high mountains.  Bring a picnic lunch, plenty to drink and warm clothing to withstand high winds and possible rain or snow.

All excursions depart from outside Lanjaron’s Tourist Information Office. Excursions to Mulhacen and Alcazaba can include a pick up in Capileira by appointment.

Please note, safety is paramount. If weather conditions deteriorate whilst on the mountain then we will have to shorten or even abandon the itinerary. No money will be refunded once the excursion has started.

Booking essential.
To book your place, please telephone Michael on: 688  312  497

Julian Alps, Slovenia

Julian Alps, Slovenia, a set on Flickr.

Some of our photo's from recent trips to Slovenia.

Explorations in the Julian Alps

Mid August saw the intrepid Mountain House team taking off for our second trip to Slovenia. This time we headed north of Triglav, using the stunning Vrata valley as our base. Our evenings were spent gazing at the north wall of Triglav, as the setting sun turned the rock red. We also managed some great and adventurous walking ahead of Jane's IML summer assessment the following week.

Highlights of the trip included; beautiful and varied mountain scenery, exposed, but well protected mountain paths, scrambling behind the pericnik waterfall, too many gentians to really appreciate, being told by the ladies at the Aljazev Dom that we were their best guests, finding the Pension Stare at Bohinj, and of course last but by no means least, Jane passing the IML summer assessment!

Pension Stare, Bohinj

Location:Triglav National Park, Slovenia

Integral de los tres mil

This is a traverse of the main ridge of the Sierra Nevada taking in the 3000m summits.  Mike and Jane from Mountain House hosted a party of 5 from Scotland for their guided version of this trek supported by Rik and Dominic (ML trainees) who carried the tents and stoves.

The group were all keen Munroists, who had decided to turn their hands (or feet!) to the Sierra Nevada's equivalent.  The ridge was gained from Trevelez, near Puerto Trevelez.  Ascents were made of: Cerro Pelado (3182m), Puntal de Juntillas (3143m), Picon de Jerez (3088m), El Contadero (3099m), Puntal de los Cuartos o de la Atalaya (3154m), La Mojanera (3135m), Pico de la Justica O de la Atalya (3141m), Atalaya del Cuervo O Pico Cuervo (3147m), Cerro del Mojon Alto (3117m), Puntal de Vacares (3144m), Alcazaba (3369m), Mulhacen (3479m) the highest mountain in mainland Spain, Pico del Veleta (3396m) and Cerro del Caballo (3011m) Europe’s most westerly 3000m peak.

The trip spent 6 days walking with 3 nights camping and 2 nights in huts.  The nights before and after the trek were spent in a hotel in the Spa Town of Lanjaron.

It should be noted that there are different maps to the area and some mountains are named differently and the heights vary from map to map!

Although “work” for the Mountain House team, this was a most pleasurable week spent with good company.

Alcazaba at last!

The mountain house team finally made it to the summit of Alcazaba, the third highest peak in the Sierra Nevada as part of our reconnaissance for the 'Integral' Trip starting this weekend.

On the way, Rik and Dom enjoyed some high altitude bouldering!

Multi-Adventures in the Sierra Nevada

Mountain House Holidays hosted a group of people with Learning disabilities for a “multi activity” week in Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Rock climbing, canyoning, abseiling, swimming in rock pools, precarious rope bridges, mountaineering (in the snow)  to 3205m and even a trip to the beach were enjoyed.  Vast amounts of ice cream were consumed and a liking for the local beer was developed by everyone!

An exhausting week where people went home for a rest at the end of the holiday!

Classic Mountain Walking in Spain’s Sierra Nevada

There are places still available on this classic mountain walking week which takes in the best of Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains. 10^th to 17^th September.

This is a full board fully guided walking week with 6 days of guided walking.  We meet you at Malaga Airport provide the holiday which includes 5 nights in a hotel, 2 nights in a mountain hut and aims to ascend Mulhacen which at 3482m is the highest mountain in mainland Spain. At the end of the holiday we return you to Malaga Airport for your flight home.

Details of this holiday can be found at:

http://mountain-house.co.uk/high-mountain-walking-holiday/

Slovenia 2012

Following our successful visit to Slovenia’s Julian Alps, we will be introducing some holidays there into our programme for 2012.

The spring flowers are at their best in the high alpine pastures at the end of May and beginning of June.  It is a time when the Marmots come out of hibernation and can be seen in family groups with the young ones play fighting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDij7Lb7Rfc&feature=related

As well as Marmots we were amazed to see Golden Eagles soaring above us and dropping into their Eyries.

The classic alpine chalets of the high farms are wonderful and the people so friendly.  We will be based in a traditional high village called Stara Fuzina just a few minutes walk away from Lake Boinj. Some days the walks will start from the hotel, though on a couple we will drive just a few minutes either to gain some height of to get to the other side of the valley.

Keep an eye on our programme and join us for the stunning nature, sceneary and walking

Navigation Courses

Our Winter and Spring programme of navigation courses has now come to an end.  This year we have been busier than ever with more courses run and more students attending.  It’s good too that we have made some good friends from those attending the courses and we look forward to the autumn programme that starts this coming October.

It’s always good seeing people “get it” and discover that they can navigate, finding stone circles and obscure aircraft wrecks on the moors.  This spring we had one of our very first students come back to us for some revision and night navigation practice before taking her mountain leader assessment.  Needless to say she passed!

The coming programme includes introduction, intermediate and advanced night time navigation.  Details can be found at the Peak Navigation Courses website.

Peak District Walking Festival 2011

This years festival ran for 16 days and the Mountain House Team led 13 walks, concentrating mainly on the harder moorland terrain though on one walk through Cressbrook Dale we guided some intrepid walkers to the summit of
St. Peter’s Stone.

This year we tried to give the walks descriptive names that would conjure up the spirit of the walk: A Kinder Experience; Delights of the Upper Derwent; Aircraft Wrecks, The Big One’s; etc.

It was a successful couple of weeks where we made new friends and hopefully inspired clients to get out and join us on our holidays and navigation courses. Much praise was expressed to us for the way we made the walks enjoyable and even taught a few skills like using a GPS during one of the walks.

Mike enjoyed every one of the 13 walks but thought using his compass and navigation skills during poor visibility crossing Kinder Scout to be a highlight.

We are already refining our walks in preparation for the 2012 Peak District Walking Festival.  Keep an eye out for next years programme and come and join us.

Stunning Slovenia

The mist is rising slowly over Lake Bohinj and the mountain tops are in brilliant sunshine. This is the final day of our short visit, but it has ensured that we will return. Stunning scenery, a lush green landscape, carpets of amazing flowers, continuous birdsong, friendly people and some great walking.

Come and join us next year!

Hill Skills video clips

The Met Office have some really useful video clips produced in conjunction with Mountain Leader Training.  Great for people who have come on our introduction to navigation courses, and want to think a bit more about hill skills.

There are three videos covering general hill skills, dealing with bad weather and walking in winter.

The weather can change very quickly on the mountains. This short video explains what to do in the event of changeable conditions, poor visability and high winds.

Aircraft Wrecks - the Big Ones!

A bright and breezy day saw 16 keen walkers heading off to explore the moors of Bleaklow and Mill Hill to discover the wreckage of 4 aircraft which had crashed beneath the summits of Bleaklow and Kinder. 

Peak District Walking Festival gets off to a warm start!

Our first walk for the 2011 Peak District Walking Festival proved a warm, but very enjoyable one.  The walking on the moors above Howden reservoir was at it's best, despite the menacingly dark skies which threatened to spoil the day.

Sales of our walks are going well, particularly the big aircraft wrecks on Bleaklow and Kinder, the first of which has sold out.  There are places available on Friday 6th May, so book yours while you can.

The Delights of the Upper Derwent

A great afternoon and evening's walk exploring some of the lesser known parts of the Derwent valley in the Peak District.  The walk includes some hidden gems such as Lord Edward Howard's Spring and the Crow Stones.  For those who would like to experience these for themselves, together with the wonderful variety of landscapes in the Peak District Moors, join us during the Peak District Walking Festival.