Sandra's Last Munro

Sandra’s Last Munro

Sandra is a regular visitor to The Sierra Nevada and last year managed The Integral, (a traverse of all the 3000m peaks in the Sierra Nevada), with Mountain House Holidays.

Sandra Owen on Driesh, 947m

Mike and Jane of Mountain House were invited to accompany Sandra on her final Munro, Driesh 947m near Glen Doll in Scotland.

Around 30 of us accompanied Sandra to the summit in deteriorating weather where celebration drinks, cava and a range of single malt whiskies, were consumed before descending and retreating to the pub for “stovies” and more drink.

Congratulations Sandra on completing your Munro’s!

A Munro is a Scottish mountain with a height of 914m or higher. There are 283 Munro’s listed in the SMC guide though there is the odd dispute over a couple of peaks.

After experiencing the Scottish summer weather and the infamous midge, we now remain convinced that Spain's Sierra Nevada is the place to be!

It should be noted that Mike and Jane of Sierra Nevada Guides have a house at 1300m above sea level, higher than most Munro's.

Rock Climbing and Abseiling in The Peak District

Rock Climbing and Abseiling in The Peak District

Rock Climbing at Froggatt Edge

Mountain House has been providing rock climbing and abseiling sessions in The Peak District since 2004 as part of its programme of multi-activity holidays.  Recently due to demand we have decided to make ourselves available to run “taster” sessions and skills coaching.

An Abseiling session for the National Park at Millersdale Viaduct

We are so lucky living and working in The Peak District where there are many excellent venues for both rock climbing and abseiling. Mike and Jane who own Mountain House and their team of instructors are all qualified to organise and run climbing sessions.

Mike is a former Director of Mountain Leader Training and former Vice President of The British Mountaineering Council.  

Jane and Mike have run several training courses for the Mountain Leader Training Association.

Sessions can be whole day, half day or for an evening (summer months).  Details and prices can be found on our website.

Autumn in the Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada

September and October is a great time to visit as the heat from summer starts to fade and walking and climbing at lower altitudes becomes possible again. Although there will be occasional rainy days, any moisture brings life back to the plants and a second growing season begins.

Busquistar in December

Any rain in the valleys is likely to bring a dusting of snow on the high peaks, though this will melt quickly as snow tends not to lie before November.  Water will be flowing again in the acequias  (water channels) which are often lined with chestnut trees who’s leaves turn to gold then brown as autumn progresses.

This is a great time to visit for a walking holiday.  Low season hotel prices coupled with mainly settled weather that will seem like summer to anyone from Britain.  Walking in the Alpujarra (hill walking) and Sierra Nevada (mountain walking) is as good as it gets with some truly memorable days to be had.

Some of our favourite walks  include:

A circuit in the Taha from Busquistar:

A circuit to the Poqueira Refuge for lunch;  and

An ascent of the Cerro del Caballo which at 3011m is Europe’s most westerly 3000m peak.

Walking in The Taha, December

To make the most of your visit, check out our website where you’ll find all sorts of useful information and suggested itineraries.  If you have a question about the area that isn’t answered on our website do get in touch, we are always happy to advise.

Like all mountains, these can be serious too.  Only venture into the hills if you have the right skills.  You can always hire a guide from Sierra Nevada Guides.

Mountain House Holidays have places available on their walking and scrambling holidays scheduled for September.

Guided Walks in the Peak District

Guided Walks in The Peak District

One of the recurring questions that we have been asked throughout this years Peak District Walking Festival is, “are you leading any other guided walks?”

Mountain House Holidays are pleased to announce this years summer programme of guided walks in The Peak District.  All of this years guided walks are priced at £20 per person and the one visiting the famous Rockhall Cottage built into the Roaches includes a bacon sandwich and hot drinks!

In addition, Mountain House Holiday run Navigation Courses and Mountain Skills courses through their training company, Peak Navigation Courses.

Mountain House Holidays is run by Jane Livingstone and Michael Hunt, both qualified International Mountain Leaders.

Scrambling in the Peak District

Scrambling in the Peak District!

Yes it's official!  With the Publication by Cicerone of a new guide to scrambles in the Peak there is sure to be a surge of interest in scrambling.  We at Mountain House have been leading people up various scrambles over the years as part of our navigation courses and guided walks.

Scrambling?

Scrambling is great fun and occupies that area between hill walking and rock climbing. At its easiest (grade 1 scrambles) it requires the occasional use of hands to move between boulders or up rock slabs, whilst at its hardest (grade 3 scrambles) are easy rock climbs. The scrambles that we are offering to lead and supervise are all either grade 1 or grade 2 scrambles that do not routinely require the use of a safety rope. That said, our qualified leaders will carry safety equipment in case anyone has trouble or finds themselves lacking in confidence.

These are all day itineraries starting at 10am and aiming to finish around 4.30pm.  Please come equipped wearing walking boots and with waterproofs, warm clothes, packed lunch and enough to drink.

Should the weather not be suitable for safe scrambling then we will offer an alternative itinerary on the day.

All of these days will involve some hill walking getting to and between scrambles, all of which will involve some steep slopes and possibly boggy ground.

Contact us to reserve your place on any of the following Scrambling Adventures:

Saturday 9th June
Scrambles on the north side of Kinder (Ashop Clough)

Sunday 1st July
Scrambles on the south side of Bleaklow

Saturday 14th July
Big scrambles – Big day out on Kinder Scout

Saturday 4th August
Scrambles on the north side of Bleaklow Pt.1

Sunday 12th August
Scrambles on the north side of Bleaklow Pt.2

Sunday 18th August
Scrambles from Crowden

Peak District Walking Festival

Peak District Walking Festival
We are now six days into this years Peak District Walking Festival.  Mountain House Holidays are providing 15 walks in 18 days. So far there has been wind, rain, sleet, hail and snow on 5 of the six days! This is in great contrast to last years walking festival when we had warm sunshine every day.  Despite the weather we have managed to follow our programme each day though hopefully we will see an improvement in the next few days.

In addition to supporting the walking festival, Mountain House run a programme of guided walks; navigation courses and hill skills courses; and walking holidays in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Mike and Jane who run Mountain House are qualified International Mountain Leaders and rock climbing instructors.

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.