Via Feratta exploits in Spain

Mike & Jane, together with friends who live in Lanjaron, explored the Torcal Via Feratta; a challenging experience all round!  Read more on Martin's blog.

The Life of Riley - El Torcal Via Feratta

Introduction to Navigation

January and February are busy months for Mountain House / Peak Navigation as we run a full programme of Navigation Courses based in the Peak District. The popular “Introduction to Navigation” spends around 2 hours learning in the classroom followed by a walk on the moors which leaves students equipped to cross open moorland using a map and compass.

Last weekends introduction course was really enjoyable with 5 students mastering the techniques to successfully navigate.

Followed by a “swift half”

Basic and Intermediate navigation courses are £30 a day.  Night navigation is £15 for an evening and GPS courses are £45.

Full details can be found at:

http://peaknavigationcourses.co.uk

Great Snowshoeing in The French Alps

Mike and Jane from Mountain House Holidays recently spent 12 days in the French Alps researching options for running holidays there in 2012.  They spent time in the areas around both Les Gets and Le Grand Bornand.  Both resorts have a variety of accommodation options and some great opportunities for snowshoe trails.

The way to Jacquicourt

Every day provided a gem of a walk though perhaps the most memorable day out was a circuit from near Les Gets to the Chapelle  de Jacquicourt. A superb day out and the only people we saw were a group from Geneve picnicking outside a chalet that is normally only occupied during the summer months.

The Chapelle de Jacquicourt

Snowshoeing is a great alternative to skiing and enables you to explore the mountains that would be almost impossible just wearing boots. Making the most of the winter sun and enjoying the mountains.

Happy New Year

We hope that 2011 will be a great year for you and gives you the chance for some adventures.

Snowshoeing in The Peak District and Sierra Nevada

As snow is covering the Peak District today, we took the opportunity of getting out on our snowshoes.  O.K., so the snow is only 8” deep (though deeper in the drifts), but at least we were out there doing it.  Arctic it felt in the strong winds, with snow being blown horizontally.  Here’s a couple of pictures that we took in and around Silence Mine:



Not quite like the end of season opportunity we had last May to ascend Pico del Caballo, which at 3007m is Europe’s most westerly 3000m peak. 






Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the mountains and back country.    If you fancy giving this a go, visite http://mountain-house.co.uk/snowshoeing/

November snow in the Derbyshire Peak District

Woke up to around 8" of snow in Foolow, The Peak District this morning, deeper in the drifts. Excellent, and a chance to get out on the snowshoes later! 

 

No busses and not much traffic. It's great in the village with folks walking out greeting one another. Here's some pictures to enjoy.

 

Countryfile at Rockhall Cottage

Mike and Jane help to look after The Don Whillans Memorial Hut, Rockhall Cottage up at The Roaches.  This is a unique climbers hut built into the rock.  Recently, the BBC’s Countryfile programme visited this part of The Peak District and were filming some rock climbing scenes at The Roaches with The British Mountaineering Council.

Initially Mike offered the programme makers the use of the hut as a base whilst filming there.  However they were so taken with the hut that Mike received a phone call asking if he’d be prepared to be interviewed about the it's history.

The picture here shows Mike being interviewed by Matt Baker who was earlier filmed climbing Central Route VS 4b on the Roaches Upper Tier.

The programme is due to be broadcast on Sunday 28th November, BBC1 6.30pm. You can find out more about it on the BBC Countryfile website

If you would like to know more about the history of the hut and how to book it, go to our website at:

http://mountain-house.co.uk/  and click the Don Whillans Hut button.