Need some Xmas gift inspiration? We round up some of the best gifts to buy this festive season for the trekker or mountaineer in your lifePetzl SWIFT RL headlamp 115SWIFT RL is an ultra-powerful, lightweight, and rechargeable headlamp, delivering up to 1100 lumens for demanding activities like trail running or mountaineering. Its REACTIVE LIGHTING technology uses a light sensor to adjust brightness and beam pattern, optimising battery life while providing hands free automatic adjustment. Weighing only 100g, it offers a mixed beam for both proximity and distance vision, along with red lighting for night use. The ergonomic, adjustable headband ensures stability during high-intensity activities.More info: www.petzl.comGrangers Footwear Care Kit 21Treating them to a new pair of boots this Christmas, or are your favourite hiking shoes in need of a festive treat themselves? Grangers all-in-one Footwear Care Kit keeps outdoor footwear clean and protected. Containing Footwear + Gear Cleaner and a Footwear Brush to easily spruce up your boots, Footwear Repel Plus, which offers durable protection for all uppers including suede and nubuck, and Odour Eliminator to remove those lingering odours this easy-to-use kit, has everything you need to keep your footwear protected on every adventure! Not only that, this handy kit is eco-responsible too containing bluesign approved, PFC-Free and water-based solutions, ensuring they take care of the environment as well as your footwear.More info: www.grangers.comCherry Blossom Midsole Reviver Kit 11.45Sneaker midsoles can be a nightmare to keep clean and, once dirty, can ruin your look. Luckily Cherry Blossom have a handy kit to keep your midsoles looking box-fresh. Featuring a Midsole Brush, a bottle of Midsole Reviver and soft Midsole Cloth, your footwear will receive the treatment it deserves. In just three easy steps, your midsoles will be restored to their former glory. Firstly, brush off any dried, excess dirt, then work the cleaning gel into the midsole. Once clean, wipe away the gel leaving your sneakers fresh once more.More info: www.cherryblossom.co.ukOcoopa UT2s Rechargeable Hand Warmer 39.95This festive season, go beyond the usual gifts and warm their hands as well as their hearts with the Ocoopa UT2s Rechargeable Hand Warmer. Perfectly suited for outdoor adventures, chilly winter strolls, or simply cosying up at home, this compact and lightweight device offers up to an impressive 8 hours of warmth. Whether theyre enjoying a winter hike, sitting by a fire, or commuting on a cold day, this hand warmer provides reliable warmth when they need it most. What makes the Ocoopa UT2s even more special is its innovative magnetic design: MagTwin warmers can detach into two elegant hand warmers. This feature makes it perfect for sharing warmth with a loved one or keeping both hands toasty at the same time. Plus, it doubles as a power bank, allowing users to charge their small devices on the go.More info: www.berryuseful.co.ukWhitby Gear 821 Compact Binoculars 24.95Whitby Gears 821 Compact Binoculars make the perfect Christmas gift for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. With exceptional clarity and rugged durability, they provide a clear and detailed view of distant landscapes and wildlife, making every outdoor experience more exciting and immersive. These binoculars utilise patented Porro prisms for images that are crisp and clear, while the centrally positioned focus knob provides quick and easy adjustment using one finger. The rugged design features a non-slip rubber body, ensuring a secure grip when in use. Whether its for hiking, birdwatching or sightseeing, these binoculars are a thoughtful gift choice thatwill be treasured for yearsto come.More info: www.whitbyandco.co.ukBerghaus Summit-Nomad Down Jacket 300The Berghaus Summit-Nomad is a versatile new pocket-sized down jacket, providing warmth while on the move, or takinga break on the trail. The jacket delivers a high level of insulation at a low weight, thanks to a combination of800 fill power hydrophobicgoose downand Berghaus pioneering Reflect Technology. Itsall wrapped in a lightweight, durable ripstop nylon, and features include: An insulated fixed hood; internal zipped chest pocket and two zipped hand pockets for essentials and to keep digits warm; elasticated cuffs to keep out the wind; and drawcord adjustment at the hem to ensure the right fit. The mens jacket weighs 480g in large and a womens in 12weighs 420g. When not in use, the Summit-Nomad can be packed into its own pocket and neatly stored away.More info: www.berghaus.comBackcountry ski trips in Scotland from 255Make Scotland part of your ski season with a trip to Glenmore Lodge, Scotlands Outdoor Training Centre based in the Cairngorms. Book a weekend or a week of backcountry skiing and tuition, stay onsite and enjoy home cooked food and a bar with a wood burner. All courses include free use of ski equipment, group sizes are small and there are groups for all abilities . Courses run January to April and in March they run the Wild Ski weekend, a firm favourite in the Scottish ski calendar. Glenmore Lodge has been delivering ski courses for over 75 years. So extend your ski season with a visit to Scotlands most snow sure destination.More info: www.glenmorelodge.org.ukOsprey Hikelite 18100Whether youre a casual or experience hiker, the lightweight and streamlined Hikelite 18-litre daypack combines essential features and quality construction with the impeccable ventilation that AirSpeed has to offer. Its minimalist panel-loading approach keeps its silhouette clean and uncluttered for simplified use on any trail. Now featuring a wider and taller frame for improved fit. Key features include: Traditional panel loader design with convenient zip access to main compartment; Included raincover made with bluesign approved fabrics and DWR treatments made without PFAS, stored in zippered pocket at base of pack; Extra-tall stretch mesh side pockets keep contents secure; External access zip pocket with key clip keeps small, essential items handy; Dual upper side compression straps with trekking pole capture; Dual trekking pole loops; Internal reservoir sleeve with hose port in backpanel and Osprey; Hydraclip for easily hanging a reservoir; Adjustable sternum strap with rescue whistle; Removable webbing hipbelt.More info: www.ospreyeurope.comPetzl LYNX crampons and ALPEN ADAPT 220The new Petzl LYNX crampons are ideal for ice, mixed climbing, and mountaineering, featuring modular front points that adapt to various terrains. The ALPEN ADAPT system enhances their versatility, allowing users to easily swap out front sections, bindings, or rear components for glacier travel, technical routes, or lighter setups. This modularity means you can use the same crampons across different environments by simply adjusting theirconfiguration.More info: www.petzl.comEXPED Widget 42The Widget is an electric pump, camping lamp and powerbank in one. It allows effortless, fast, and moisture free inflation of sleeping mats and inflatables. It is compact enough to fit in a backpack and powerful enough to quickly inflate multiple large volume sleeping mats. The Widget includes EXPEDs Universal Valve Adapter so it can be used to inflate virtually any mat on the market. The widget also features a quiet mode that blows slower, but wont wake up the whole camp late at night. The Widget is also a bright camping lamp with three light levels. The built-in handle allows it to be hung in a tent or on a branch. Fully charged, it illuminates the camp for up to 72 hours.As a 3600 mAh power bank, the Widget also charges one to two cell phones when fully charged.More info: www.lyon.co.ukBerghaus Ridge-Seeker GTX Jacket 350The Berghaus Ridge-Seeker Jacket is a tough four-season shell in lightweight, waterproof and breathable 3L GORE-TEX ePE, with reinforcements in key wear areas. Designed for rough weather and long days of walking in the hills and mountains, the jacket offers a balance of maximum durability with low weight. Features include: A fixed, wired hood with two-point adjustment, which stays put and moves with the head; easy access storage for essentials in zipped internal and external chest pockets; two zipped hand pockets that are compatible with pack or harness; pit zips for dumping heat when working hard; easy to use Velcro adjustment at the cuffs for extra protection; cordlock adjustment at the hem; and two-way centre front zip for added versatility. The womens Ridge-Seeker weighs 500g (size 12) and the mens weighs 556g (large).More info: www.berghaus.comGrangers Down Care Kit 17Keep your loved ones warm this winter by gifting them Grangers Down Care Kit this Christmas. An essential stocking filler for those with down or synthetic down garments, Down Care Kit contains Wash + Repel Down 2 in 1, Grangers world-first formulation that cleans and reproofs down items in just one wash, saving time, energy and water. Once clean and protected, the kit also provides three dryer balls made from 100% New Zealand wool to restore loft and prevent clumping.More info: www.grangers.comRab Aeon LT 5L Lightweight Belt Pack 40Crafted for fast-paced hikes and scrambles, the Aeon LT 5 is ideal for stashing essentials and keeping your upper body free for ultimate mobility over tough terrain. Providing 5L of secure storage, this low-profile belt pack is lightweight and pre-curved for a stable, comfortable fit and reduced bounce. The cushioning Air Contour lumbar pad is covered with a breathable open mesh, encouraging airflow and keeping you cool during high-energy ascents. Its easy for you to stay organised thanks to the dual zipped compartments and external mesh pockets, perfect for stashing snacks and other on-the-go supplies. Youll also find a security pocket inside for your key or card, and webbing tabs on the outside of the pack for adding further storage. Finished with a 100% fluorocarbon-free DWR, the Aeon LT 5 features an easy-pull side waist belt adjustment with padding, to give you a streamlined, comfortable fit and a full range of movement for fast-moving mountain days.More info: www.rab.equipmentLa Sportiva Lucendro Thermal Hoody 90The Lucendro Thermal Hoody is a technical and functional thermal mid-layer ideal for all-round mountaineering, made with Pontetorto TechStretch waffle fabric, structured to guarantee breathability and quick drying. The Polygiene anti-odour, antibacterial treatment and fabric inserts for abrasion resistance all make this a piece that will see you through many seasons of adventure. Optimal comfort and excellent freedom of movement, as well as the stretchy ergonomic hood protecting you from cold and wind, with 3 handy sipped pockets.More info: www.lasportiva.comAlpkit Sastrugi Pullover Fleece 79.99Furrier than an ice age mammal, the Sastrugis thick, 100% recycled pile fleece fabric traps a huge amount of insulating air to keep you cosy and warm. Chunky, 320gsm fabric means you can also wear it as an outer layer for everything from cold morning walks to chilly evenings around the tent. The classic pile fleece jacket has been around for over 40 years and is still going strong thanks to its winning combination of warmth, low weight and incredible durability. This durability makes the Sastrugi a fantastic warm layer for situations where insulated jackets might not survive scraping up cracks, chimneys and awkward top outs. And the half-length zip means it fits comfortably under a harness or rucksack waist straps.More info: www.alpkit.com

23-year-old mountaineer Adriana Brownlee has officially become the youngest ever female mountaineer to summit the fourteen 8000m peaks when she topped out on Shishapangma (8027m) on 9th October at 08:01.Adriana and her team are now safely off the mountain and in Tibet recovering from the climb. The last climb wasnt without its challenges with Adriana and her team temporarily losing the rope that had been fixed a few days before by the previous summit team and battling nausea on the final climb. The final push was an emotional one. Adriana said: I started to cry. I hadnt reached the summit yet, I couldnt even see it, but I knew it was going to happen.It took another hour before we reached the incredible summit. By this time it was just sunrise and we had a beautiful clear sky. It was the most incredible moment. I cried again remembering that I had just summited all 14 8000m peaks and made history.The summit also makes Adriana the second official British climber to summit all fourteen peaks (and first female). Adriana adds; British explorers have always been breaking boundaries. Im proud to set another world first and keep that tradition alive. I have always had a love and fascination with mountains for as long as I can remember.Adrianas love of the mountains was clear from a young age, with her even handing in a primary school piece of homework saying that her dream was to be famous for climbing the highest mountain in the world, adding I have always liked mountains and especially high ones. Her passion for the outdoors was fuelled further when she completed the three peaks (Snowden, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis) in just 22 hours at the age of 8 with her father, Tony. However, it was 31st May 2021, at the age of 20, when she fulfilled her childhood dream of summitting Mt Everest setting in motion the journey to her record breaking achievement to be the youngest woman to climb the fourteen 8000m peaks. Over the following three years, Adriana continued to set world firsts as she summited peak after peak breaking two further records along the way including the youngest female in the world to summit K2 and the youngest person to summit Gasherbrum 1 without supplementary Oxygen.For her last climb, Adriana wanted to summit without the use of oxygen making it an even tougher challenge. Adriana added; Its all about intrinsic motivation for me and wanting to push my body and achieve my personal goals. Mountaineering is my escape in life, it makes me feel free and truly connected with myself so it becomes an obsession to go back. I hope to inspire youngsters all over the world that there is no set path in life. You can create your own destiny and journey which can be totally unique to you if thats what makes you happy. I quit university and my degree to pursue a career in mountaineering and sacrificed friendships, regular teenage life and more, but it was all worth it.Having achieved the ultimate goal in mountaineering, what is left for Adriana to achieve? She replied; I will stay in the mountains, but now want to help others achieve their dream by creating a new generation of high altitude mountaineering and trekking experiences which focuses on safety and clients pastexperiences.To find out more about Adriana and her achievements, visit @Adri.brownlee on Instagram.

Some big news from Trek & Mountain HQ this month as we announce the acquisition of the legendary Base Camp Festival event and we reveal the venue for the 2025 event which is a stunning location in a very special corner of the Lake District!First held back in 2014, Base Camp Festival enjoyed five successful years before being put on hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, like many other events at the time. But the festival will be roaring back to life next year under the ownership of Trek & Mountain and will be held on 4-7 July at Gatesgarth Farm on Buttermere a stunning waterside location that is surrounded by iconic Lakeland fells and crags including Fleetwith Pike, High Crag and Hay Stacks.Commenting on the acquisition, Trek & Mountain publisher Chris Kempster said: Base Camp Festival is a much-loved event that deserves to be revived and established as a permanent fixture on the calendar for outdoor enthusiasts. Our aim is to retain the friendly, inclusive feel of previous festivals while providing a top-quality experience in terms of facilities, catering, activities and on-site attractions.So how can festival goers make the most of their long weekend at Buttermere? Well, the more independent-minded of you can head off into the surrounding areas and walk, climb, scramble, swim or run to your hearts content, before returning to Base Camp for an afternoon/evening of music, talks, food, drink and socialising!If, on the other hand, youd like to try a new mountain activity, then we have a selection of Technical Sessions that you can book onto (at subsidised prices), and these include navigation, trail running, bouldering, scrambling and rock climbing, as well as outdoors photography, adventure film-making and, for the more crafty among you, needle-felting!~But if youd prefer to relax a little and take in the festivals stunning location, theres enough going on on-site to keep you occupied, with free workshops, demos by leading outdoor brands, yoga, wild swimming and SUPs on the water, talks and live music!A limited number of early bird tickets are on-sale now, and the main weekend pass includes:3 nights camping on the shores of Buttermere, one of the Lake Districts cleanest lakesFree activities on-site including climbing wall, SUP hire, swimming, yoga and moreLive music each night in the main Base Camp tentWorkshops, talks, films and demos throughout the weekendSubsidised technical sessions including scrambling, climbing, running, bouldering, navigation, via ferrata and moreFestival goodie bag worth 30+So whether you are a veteran of previous Base Camp Festivals or are new to the event, come and join us for what we hope will be a truly special weekend for everyone involved!Early bird tickets are on-sale now at www.basecampfestival.co.uk and you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Mick Fowler and Victor Saunders have made the first ascent of Yawash Sar in the Karakoram.40 years after their first trip to Pakistan, Fowler and Saunders returned to the country and climbed the north west face of the 6,258m peak, reaching the summit during a seven-day outing from base camp. The expedition was supported by Berghaus and the two climbers used kit from the brands high performance Extrem range.The line taken by the veteran pair on the north west faceYawash Sar is the highest and most spectacular peak in the Khunjerab sub-range of the Karakoram range. Fowler and Saunders agree that it could justifiably be called the Matterhorn of the Khunjerab. In 2022, it was attempted from the south by a British team, who were defeated by difficult climbing on loose rock at around 6,000m.After securing a permit to climb on the mountain, Fowler and Saunders flew to the region in late August. They trekked in to Yawash Sar and established a base camp on meadows at an altitude of around 4,600m, below the First Koksil Glacier. From there, they embarked on an alpine style attempt on the mountain via the north west face, and became the first people to reach its summit on Saturday 14 September. Once they had descended safely and had trekked back to the roadhead several days later, Fowler and Saunders were able to send a message back to the UK to confirm their success.Mick Fowler takes up the story: The face was complex and we were fortunate to find good climbing conditions and, after extensive binocular research, weave our way through numerous probable cul-de-sacs without reaching any impasses. A notable feature of the climb was a lack of good bivouac sites and at one point, we endured an excruciatingly uncomfortable hanging bivouac in strong winds.The position, distinctive objective and continuously excellent climbing combined to make us feel that this was one of the best ascents that we have done together. It was absolutely brilliant!Mick and Vic described the peak as Matterhorn of the KhunjerabMick Fowler (68) and Victor Saunders (74) first climbed in Pakistan together in 1984, and it was 37 years ago that they made their renowned ascent of The Golden Pillar of Spantik, which lies a few hours away from Yawash Sar. Fowler and Saunders were regular climbing partners in the 1980s when both men lived in London. After Spantik, they didnt climb together for three decades until reuniting in 2016 to achieve a first ascent on the north face of Sersank in the Indian Himalaya. They had planned more expeditions before Fowlers cancer diagnosis delayed them. Following successful treatment, Fowler returned to fitness and expeditions, and now explores the greater ranges with the additional challenge of needing to use a colostomy bag.GalleryMore info: www.berghaus.com

When youre out camping In the British hills, theres no better way to start your day than with a hearty breakfast and SPAM Chopped Pork And Ham is the magic ingredient for Keeping It Real!A unique blend of shoulder pork and leg ham, SPAM is the perfect bacon alternative for breakfast, whether used in a traditional SPAM and eggs fry-up, in a bun with a dollop of tomato sauce, or in Trek & Mountains very own one-pan cheesy SPAM and egg wrap!Versatile, uniquely tasty and quick, simple and easy-to-use, SPAM can be sliced or diced and grilled or fried to make a whole range of tasty camping meals, and not only that, each 340g can can feed up to six hungry hikers!Why not try our tasty SPAM breakfast wrap by following the four easy steps below? And for more tasty meal ideas head over to www.spam-uk.com and follow SPAM on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @OfficialSPAMUK

Up for grabs is a 3-season sleeping bag from German company, Grezi bag, which features a very special type of insulation read on to find out how you can win one!Award-winning brand Grezi bag are a highly-respected clothing and equipment brand on the Continent, that has recently become available in the UK. To celebrate, they have offered readers of Trek & Mountain the chance to win one of their 185 DownWool Subzero sleeping bags, a 3-season model thats ideal for camping adventures during the warmer months. Theres a number of innovations on this sleeping bag, but what really sets it apart is the special insulation it uses a mixture of natural down and wool that is, naturally, called DownWool. But what exactly are the benefits of this blend of materials, and how does it work?The wool in DownWool insulation helps to regulate the temperature inside the bagNatural DownWoolWe all know that down is the best insulating material known to man, offering the best warmth/weight ration of any other natural or synthetic material. However, its achilles heel is its aversion to damp; with increasing humidity, the fine branching of the down collapses, which considerably reduces the insulating effect of the down. In recent times this downside has often been addressed by the use of chemicals to make the down more resilient to moisture and not collapsing when damp. However there is an alternative to using chemicals, and thats DownWool. DownWool insulation is a blend of 70% high-quality RDS-certified down which provides a high level of insulation, and 30% wool from the alpine region, which acts like a lightweight natural air conditioner. The combination is perfect.The use of down blended with wool has several important advantagesNothing insulates as well as high-quality down, and the wool content absorbs any moisture that arises and thus keeps the down naturally drier. Wool can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without losing its insulating effect. It is also very good at regulating temperature, and the result is a unique sleeping climate, which means that the temperature range in which you feel comfortable and sleep well in a DownWool sleeping bag is particularly wide. Aside from its use of DownWool, this sleeping bag has a number of other excellent features. It includes a comfortably-cut mummy shape making it light and small in pack size. The pillow compartment is also very practical simply insert a fleece jacket, for example, and you have a pillow that wont slip during sleep. Finally, the 185 DownWool Subzero has an innovative zip that allows you to comfortably place your feet on the top of the sleeping bag when it gets too warm.HOW TO ENTERFor a chance of winning this superb prize, just answer the following question:Which of the following properties does the wool in DownWool NOT have?A. Absorbs waterB. Reduces smellsC. Goes baa in the nightD. Regulates temperatureCLICK HERE TO ENTER!Entries must be received by 30/06/24 and the winner will be announced 15/07/24. Employees of Trek & Mountain, Gruezi bag and ProAgencies are not permitted to enter. A winner will be picked at random, and the judges decision is final.

A new walking route that stretches from the Peak District to the summit of Ben Nevis has been launched with the aim of encouraging walkers to explore the spine of England and Scotland whether it be in one 40-day burst or done in different sections over a series of months or even years.The Northern Trek is a 560-mile walk that will treat those who tackle it with the most breathtaking scenery the two countries have to offer taking them through four National Parks, three UNESCO World Heritage sites and from the east coast in Northumberland to the west coast in the Scottish Highlands. It is also the first of the UKs big treks to take walkers right through a city centre with Edinburgh providing a captivating contrast to the natural beauty of the more traditional elements of the route. And it is only the second official long-distance trek to cross the England Scotland border.The finish line on the summit of Ben NevisFormer web-developer, Ken Heptonstall is the brains behind The Northern Trek and says the idea for it was born from a desire to see both the Pennine and West Highland Ways incorporated into one enormous, challenging and rewarding trek: Ive always loved long distance walks the longer, the better, said Ken. Having walked both the Pennine Way and West Highland Way, I felt what was needed was a bigger, better and much, much longer route! The idea of taking it across the border from England into Scotland really appealed and the way Ive designed it, half the walks South of the border and half is north of it, which should please Scottish and English walkers equally.The Northern Trek is broken down into six sections the Tail, the Rump, the Back, the Neck, the Head and the Crown & Glory ; a facet of the walk that Ken believes sets it aside it from other routes: I dont expect many people to take on the entire Northern Trek in one go though some will. The six sections are all manageable in the space of 5 to 7 days each, and my real hope for it is that walkers will tackle it section by section, with the aim of completing it in a timescale that suits them and their lives. As a result, Im not putting any time limit on the walk Ill just be happy to hear from those enjoying parts of it and will, of course, have an honours board up and running for those who finish it.The Northern Trek in numbers560 miles from start to finish,83,445 feet of ascent (including Ben Nevis)Split into 6 sections35 to 40 days to complete the entire routeThe Northern Trek at Hadrians WallThe Northern Trek in sectionsThe TailChatsworth House, Derbyshire to Gargrave, North Yorkshire 98 miles 16,315 feetThe Northern Trek Section 1 The Tail Chatsworth House To GargraveThe RumpGargrave to Alston, Cumbria 111 miles 16,360 feetThe Northern Trek Section 2 The Rump Gargrave To AlstonThe BackAlston to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders 81 miles 12,150 feetThe Northern Trek Section 3 The Back Alston To Kirk YetholmThe NeckKirk Yetholm to Edinburgh 97 miles 15,671 feetThe Northern Trek Section 4 The Neck Kirk Yetholm To Edinburgh`The HeadEdinburgh to Milngavie, Glasgow 68 miles 4,592 feetThe Northern Trek Section 5 The Head Edinburgh To MilngavieThe Crown / The GloryMilngavie to Fort William and up Ben Nevis 95 miles (plus 10 up) 13,707 feet (plus 4,650 feet up)The Northern Trek Section 6 The Crown Milngavie To Fort William and Ben NevisThe starting point of The Northern Trek at Chatsworth HouseFind out more about the epic Northern Trek atwww.northerntrek.co.uk.

For a more off-the-beaten-track experience on Mont Blanc, the Italian Route via the Gonella Hut takes some beating, says IFMGA Guide Ben TibbettsMost of the Italian side of Mont Blanc is composed of wild and impressive ridges of granite and severely steep glacial terrain. However, hidden far out of sight of any road or lift access is a way called the Pope Route, or just the Italian Route, that climbs from the Glacier du Miage via the Gonella refuge to then follow the Italian/French border to the summit. It is an exceptionally beautiful route that surprisingly finds no greater technical difficulties than the easiest route on the French side. The approach hike up Val Veny and the Miage basin, though only a few hours longer than the Goter route thankfully serves to filter out all but a trickle of mountaineers so you can enjoy the mountain itself rather than the bunfight on the other side. It was first traversed in 1890, by a team including the future Pope Pius XI, as a descent after climbing the sustained Tournette Spur on the west face of Mont Blanc.For the many people hoping to climb Mont Blanc, the normal routes on the French side (the Goter and Three Monts routes) of the mountain will be the only options in mind. The route via the Goter refuge is definitely the easiest way up the mountain, with train access to 2372m and two refuges (Tte Rousse and Goter huts) to break up the challenge into more manageable chunks. During the summer season, however, it is usually very crowded and unfortunately some climbers are so desperate to reach the summit that they take no consideration for the safety and wellbeing of others. At the Goter refuge a couple of years ago, while taking a coffee on descent with clients, I even had my rope pinched by a group of Russians who were later arrested by the French PGHM (high mountain police). It is unfortunate that for many it will be their only experience of alpine mountain culture, so misrepresentative of the quiet and reflective mountaineering experience that draws us back time and again. A traverse of the mountain from Italy to France climbing via the Pope Route and then quickly down either the Goter or Three Monts route, by contrast, makes for a very fine outing.The climb (5th July 2016)We took a taxi through the tunnel from Chamonix to Val Veny and got dropped off at the end of the road beyond the Chalet del Miage. Having left the car just after 7am, it allowed us to arrive early at the refuge for a good lunch and siesta and avoid walking in the heat of the day on big snow slopes. We continued on foot to Combal where the view finally opens up across lakes and marshes. The eye is drawn beyond to the wild Lee Blanche basin and the Elisabetta Soldini hut at the far end of the valley. We followed the path round to the right and up onto the moraine of the Miage glacier. Though the glacier looks like a broad rocky jumble, the ice does continue underneath much further down the valley than it appears. The sun was rising fast in early morning sky but a cool breeze was flowing down from the massive glaciers above. Along the moraine were a troup of at least 20 ibex clattering around on the steep slopes, picking at the grass and licking natural salts off the rocks. They were particularly uninterested by our presence and only gave way to us on the narrow crest path as we came close upon them. We followed the moraine up the valley until it petered out into the mountainside. We then descended down the steep rubble onto the rock-covered glacier to pick up the faintly-marked trail on the central ridge. Some of this rock and debris on the glacier must move very steadily as a few grasses and flowers were growing in places where the dust and silt of the moraine provided purchase. The rock cover gradually diminished as we moved further up the glacier and soon we were winding our way between grey crunchy ice and more and more widely dispersed patches of rocks. One at a time we leapt across the only open crevasse that blocked our path. By now the air was warm and a large pool of green glacial melt water was almost tempting. With schoolboyish bravado handsome rewards were laid down for the first to jump in for a swim thankfully the moment passed and we carried on up the glacier. At about 2400m we finally met the snow line. Having walked fairly slowly it was around 11am and the snow was softening in the sun. We roped up in case someone found a crevasse hiding under the snow, and headed up past the chaotic foot of the Glacier du Dome. Though the hut is on the edge of this glacier we had to carry on round the corner to find where the Gonella path leaves the main Miage glacier. A short mucky scramble took us up onto the rough path, marked by a large yellow dot on rocks. We took off the rope but kept helmets on as there was plenty of potential for rocks to trundle down from above the track as the sun began to loosen things up. The path wraps back round north-east high above the glacier crossing several steep gullies that we traversed delicately on the softening snow and then a few sections of scrambling and ladders. After the final snow slope we got onto the broad buttress of rock that leads up to the refuge. At times I have found it tricky to get off the snow and across this gap to the rock but this time, with plenty of snow remaining, it passed easily. More ladders, chains and fixed ropes took us up the buttress to reach the refuge after 1pm.Lesser-travelled pathI was very surprised, given it was high season in mid July, that there were only a few tracks on the glacier and snow slopes to the hut. Though the hut is usually full on weekends, it is often quiet during weekdays and alongside the guardians family and some friends of his, we were the only ones staying in the hut. A Polish guy was squatting in the winter room below. With two other friends they had driven 17 hours from Poland only two days before, walked up to the hut with all their food and cooking equipment. They had all set off early that morning but the guy we met returned from the Piton des Italiens as he had fallen ill, unsurprising given their complete lack of acclimatisation. He then walked back down the glacier on his own, lucky to not fall into a crevasse, to arrive back at the hut about the same time as us. His friends continued on, reaching the summit late in the day and finally returned back joyful and tired 11 hours later, at midnight, after a 24-hour round trip!We had taken a more conventional approach and had done several days acclimatisation climbing above the Torino hut before coming to the Gonella. The guardian cooked us a simple but delicious pasta dish and we all headed to bed at 3pm for an afternoon siesta. A few hours later we got up for another feed: mushroom and cheese risotto followed by cheesy mashed potato, pork and apple sauce, and a chocolate mousse to finish. We packed our bags and headed to bed at 7.30pm for another short sleep. We took breakfast at 11pm just a few slices of bread and jam were our quota and the guardian seemed reluctant to give us much more, which marred the otherwise impeccable experience. By midnight we were off, traversing carefully across the steep and exposed snow beyond the refuge. It provided a sharp wake-up call and in 15 minutes we were down onto the Glacier du Dme. The night air was still warm. Thankfully, despite the air temperature hovering just above zero, the heat had radiated back out of the snow as night fell and the surface was crisp and frozen firm. We moved up the glacier as two teams of three, each lost in our pools of light. Without any moonlight it was unusually dark. There is almost no light pollution on this side of Mont Blanc and I couldnt even make out the shapes of the mountains around. If given the choice, I would travel up this route with some moonlight as it is such a spectacular and wild place to pass through.Thankfully the track on the Glacier du Dome was already well beaten in, as it would be very hard to find a way through the maze of crevassing whilst breaking a new trail on such a dark coal miners night. The glacier steepens up towards the head and the route moves left onto the ridge. Though there was almost no wind on the glacier, when we popped up onto the Col des Aiguilles Grises at 2.30am a chilly westerly breeze was already gaining momentum. I usually find the hours from 2-4am the hardest to keep focused. However as I was moving up the gradually narrowing arte roped up with John, one of our clients, I was alert to every movement of the wind, of the rope, and the yawning darkness to either side of our headlamps. From the small summit of the Piton des Italiens, the ridge becomes very narrow and exposed for a short while and I took advantage of the lack of cornice to scramble along and hold the rope from the opposite side of the ridge to the delicate tracks John was on. A lot of people who come to climb Mont Blanc are fairly goal-focused, and for John this was a stepping stone on his quest to climb Everest. It was a pleasure to be able to show him the wilder side of the mountain. We were five hours into the climb and had yet to see another climber or any other lights but those of the towns several kilometres below us in the valley floor. The ridge soon broadens and we lengthened the rope back out to pass up the ridge over a few crevasses and then round the side of the Dme du Guter to the col beyond. We reached the track of the normal (Guter) route from the French side at around 4am and were surprised to find we were ahead of everybody coming from the Guter refuge. The night sky was still largely clear except a few whispy high clouds developing. The temperatures had dropped significantly with the altitude and the wind was still building gently. We crawled into the Vallot hut to find, as usual, a bunch of hobo people bivouacing (though it is designated for emergency use only) and heaps of trash everywhere. An unpleasant wake-up call that signalled our meeting with the normal route and amongst these numbers unfortunately comes the lowest common denominator of mountain user.On to the summitAfter a break at the Vallot we clambered back out in to the frigid wind to find the pre-dawn flow of troops well advanced. The Bosses Ridge leading to the summit was in great condition with no ice showing at all. As the sun first peeked over the horizon beside Mont Maudit I rushed around trying to photograph the climbers and the landscape. I interspersed short sprints with minutes of hyperventilating in a heap. When I sat down briefly to change to a telephoto lens, I had great difficulty avoiding filling the camera with spindrift. As we climbed slowly up the snowy ridge the warm light spread across the sky, and yet very soon the sun began to be obscured by high clouds. Even having climbed up there countless times I am always slightly surprised how much hard work it requires to get up Mont Blanc, and yet also how far people can push themselves to fulfill their ambitions.Within minutes of arriving on the summit at 7am, the swirling cumulus clouds that had been building up over the Dome du Goter spilled up around us. We turned around after only a short rest and on the descent we kept moving steadily down through the mist and cloud, past many other teams and with weary heads and legs down to the Goter refuge. Our early start had been fortuitous, as most teams were turning around due to the approaching weather. We had promised ourselves a break at the Goter and a cup of coffee, but with the clouds becoming denser by the minute and static electricity building in the air we pressed on down the ridge below. However almost as quickly as they had materialised the clouds began to disperse on the lower flanks of the mountain. We scrambled down the rocky ridge and crossed the Grand Couloir just before the sun hit. I never enjoy this mortal passage and even early in the morning a few stones were whizzing down. Once crossed we were finally able to relax and stopped for a quick lunch at the Tte Rousses hut before continuing on down the mountain, glissading on patches of mushy snow most of the way to the train at Nid dAigle and thus to the valley floor.Words and images: Ben TibbetsFeeling peaky?BMC Travel insurance comes with 10 million emergency medical cover: Knock yourself out.After Alpine & Ski insurance? Weve got a great deal to keep you covered: 25% off all annual multi-trip policies in Europe, which works out at 141 for 12-months cover.Years of experienceWeve been insuring adventurers like you for over 30 years. Thats why all of our policies come with:24-hour emergency assistance helpline10 million emergency medical cover100,000 search, rescue and recovery cover10,000 personal accident cover5,000 cancellation cover2,500 baggage coverNo age loading until youre 70WATCH: BMC Insurance: built for the mountainsWant to know more? 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Its less than a month until the2024 Moffat Mountain Rescue Team Annual Charity Challenge. The teams most important fundraising event of the year is scheduled to take place on 9th June and will celebrate the landscapes of Moffat and feature Donalds, Dales & Tops.The Charity Challenge this year will take its inspiration from Moffats newfound status as Scotlands Eagle Town, the UKs first, with every participant receiving a custom-designed t-shirt incorporating the theme.Walkers will be offered a choice of 4 fully recced and way-marked routes which will lead them through hills where the eagles have been known to soar. The variety of terrain across the four routes offers something for all abilities and is a great opportunity to get out in the hills and enjoy some time recharging in nature.Moffat Mountain Rescue Team is a charity and relies on the generosity of public donations to maintain the kit required to carry out emergency search & rescue activities and the Charity Challenge is our main annual event to raise funds for the coming year. Participants for the Charity Challenge event often like to raise additional sponsorship from friends and family to add to their registration fee and to support this Moffat MRT have created a Just Giving page and a downloadable sponsorship form both available HERE.Team Leader, James Coles, Moffat Mountain Rescue Team, said: Moffat is one of the UKs most stunning locations to go hillwalking and this inevitably means there may be occasions when visiting walkers or members of our community get into difficulty. Is it an honour to lead our team on callouts where they administer support and casualty care by rescuing and locating missing persons across our area of responsibility. Our annual charity challenge allows us to raise the essential funds needed to continue our work and increase awareness of our stunning landscape which has so much to offer, including perhaps a glimpse of our newly introduced eagle population.David Hope-Jones, Chief Executive, South of Scotland Destination Alliance said: Were hugely lucky to be surrounded by such fantastic hills, incredible scenery and amazing wildlife. Our Mountain Rescue teams help ensure that both locals and visitors can enjoy our hills and remote areas in a safe and responsible way. The least we can do is come out as a community and support those who keep us safe. Thats why Ill be there, with my family, taking part in the Annual Charity Challenge on the 9th June.Rick Taylor, Community Outreach Officer for the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project said: It has been a pleasure to work with Moffat Mountain Rescue over the last three Eagle Festivals. They are a great organisation and deserve a huge amount of support from their local community. This event sounds absolutely fantastic, and you may even get the chance to see one of the young eagles, possibly even Sinclair, a young male who was adopted and named by Moffat Mountain Rescue in 2021. By taking inspiration from Moffat Eagle Town, this great charity challenge will also help to play a vital role in raising awareness of the importance of golden eagles to the south of Scotland.To find out more information on the routes and register for the Moffat MRT Charity Challenge 2024 links are found here: https://www.moffatmrt.org.uk/events/charity-challenge-2024/

In this months big competition, we have a superb backpacking/trekking pack up for grabs from premium pack brand Gregory.When it comes to trekking and backpacking trips, you need a pack that offers lots of storage and high levels of comfort, and these two packs from Gregory give you both in spades. The Amber 68 (womens) and Stout 70 (mens) are the largest packs in the Gregory range offering a maximum carry of 22.7kg, yet weigh only 1.63kg/1.71kg and offer a host of features that ensure your comfort on the trail. Both packs have an VersaFit adjustable backsystem which allows you to get exactly the right fit for your body. The perforated, 3D foam backpanel gives great breathability, while a wishbone alloy frame delivers cushioned support. The padded wraparound hipbelt has large zippered pockets, while the perforated, breathable shoulder harness with sternum strap also includes an integral safety whistle. As well as superior comfort, storage options are a huge part of these packs appeal, with the main compartment easily accessed by a large U-shaped zipper, and additional options including two mesh side pockets, a zippered bottom sleeping bag compartment and a large stretch mesh pocket ideal for keeping your rain jacket or other items close to hand. Heres a summary of some of the key features:KEY FEATURES Padded wraparound hipbelt with large zippered pockets Perforated, breathable shoulder harness with sternum strap featuring an integrated safety whistle Wishbone alloy frame for stable load management and torsional flexibility Zippered bottom sleeping bag compartment Zippered top pocket with underside zippered pocket and key clip Dual-side durable mesh pockets with top and bottom compression straps Front oversized stretch mesh pocket with durable fabric panel Quick-pull drawcord closure and top webbing compression Hydration sleeve with Speedclip hydration attachment system compatible with Gregory Hydro reservoirs (reservoir not included) Trekking pole/tool attachment point with bungee closure system Reinforced bottom panel with dual layer construction Included raincover stored in zippered pocket under top lid Large U-Zip opening to easily access gear packed in the centre section of the packHOW TO ENTERFor a chance of winning one of these superb packs, just answer the following question:What is the name of the adjustable back system on the Stout 70 and Amber 68?A. VersaTileB. VersaFitC. VersaViceENTER YOUR ANSWER HERE!Entries must be received by 15/08/24 and the winner will be announced 30/08/24.