George Fisher Update
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SUMMER 2014 | ISSUE 87 | GEORGEFISHER.CO.UK New summer stock Now iN! see iNside for a full rouNd-up of New clothiNg aNd equipmeNt A LONG WEEKEND IN A LUXURY EXPEDITION-EQUIPPED LAND ROVER worth £580 (P6) Flying above Derwentwater and Ramspholme Island. Photo: Stuart Holmes TEA, CAKES & STEPPING CANINE CAFÉ MARK SEATON CRAG RATS BACK IN TIME CULTURE Attempts his first @georgefisheruk Early days of George Fisher Dogs, cafés and big wall climb /georgefisheruk Borrowdale climbing becomes a film set pubs Page 22 Page 8 Page 14 Page 20 DESIGNED INSPIRATION FOR FOR FREEDOM A LIFETIME OF ADVENTURE Designed with salomon’s world-class athletes, s-lab trail running shoes and s-lab apparel deliver top performance without compromise. George Fisher director ANDY AIREY considers Salomon.com/s-lab what gets people into the outdoors Photo: Jacqui Scott s I write my regular piece for the Update it In my case the person who made the difference National Park Week Aoften strikes me that I’m preaching to the was Donald Angus; he lived (and lives) in An annual celebration of all the amazing places, converted; if you are reading this then you will Threlkeld, my home village. As lads, my friends people and things to be found within the have had some interaction with George Fisher and I spent our lives outside - playing football, boundaries of the 15 UK National Parks. This year, Ltd and it’s almost certain that you will have an running, swimming, messing about and generally it takes place from 28 July to 3 August with interest in the outdoors. Like me, you will have getting dirty, however it was Donald who events in every National Park as well as the annual discovered the pleasure exploring the world introduced us to the Lake District fells. At that photography competition; visit nationalparks. outside, experiencing the simple delights of time he was one of the original Lake District gov.uk/visiting/national-parks-week-2014 for full outdoor activity and finding joy in sights and National Park Wardens and, for reasons only information. sounds along the way. known to him, at weekends or holidays he allowed Derwentwater Regatta us Threlkeld lads to jump into his Land Rover and On 9-10 August, showcasing the National Trust’s How many people out there haven’t had the join him on his days at work. ‘50 Things to Do Before You are 11 ’; as well as a opportunity to appreciate our world? Imagine if we traditional summer fair there will be opportunities could speak to them, and introduce them to our We spent hours walking the fells with him. We to climb a tree, navigate with a map and compass, adventures… also rebuilt walls, put up bridges, cleared paths, installed benches, plenty of litter-picking… lots find a geocache, dam a stream, make a mud pie… In the 1990s I did some work with the now defunct of pretty hard graft but ultimately great fun! let your imagination run wild! Full details will English Tourism Authority relating to walking Donald taught much about the Lakes and took us appear on nationaltrust.org.uk holidays. They realised that the varied landscapes to places we’d never been to before, but the most Yes, it’s in my interest (and that of George Fisher and diverse cultural heritage of England offered important thing he gave us was an appreciation and the UK outdoor economy) to encourage more the perfect setting for walks and walking-based of being outdoors. people to venture outdoors, but it’s also good for holidays. Part of their research tried to understand the greater health and wellbeing of the UK. The why some people walked and others didn’t - the Time moves on - I still love being outdoors but natural playground we have at our disposal could idea being that if they could discover what turned it’s now an integral part of my work as well as be the vital ingredient in getting Britain moving an individual into a walker then they would be my lifestyle, and introducing new people to the again, towards health and fitness. If we could able to encourage more people to visit the English great outdoors is central to the development of inspire those elements of the UK population who countryside and grow the tourism economy. our business. It’s difficult for one shop in Keswick to make a huge difference but we do our bit; we were unaware of what was within striking distance The strange thing was they couldn’t find any also support other organisations in their efforts of their home, or were unsure how to take their difference between the two groups - other than to inspire new entrants. In May we were actively first steps towards outdoor adventure, imagine the CHECK OUT THE NEW walkers walked, and non-walkers didn’t. On involved in the Keswick Mountain Festival, central difference we could make to thousands of lives. digging deeper it was discovered that at some to which is the inclusive, introductory nature of Why wait for someone else to do something - YOU SALOMON S-LAB RANGE stage in a walker’s past something (or more many activities and presentations. can make a difference, YOU could be their catalyst… usually someONE) had acquainted them with the who can you take out on your next (and their first!) AVAILABLE AT outdoors… and they’d never looked back. It could As the year progresses we look forward to a outdoor adventure? have been a family member, friend, schoolteacher number of other events aimed at sparking an or scout leader - someone who enjoyed the interest in the outdoors. Watch out for… outdoors made the connection for them. www.britainonfoot.co.uk PHOTO : PHOTO DAMIEN ROSSO 2 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801 3 WEIGHT, AND WHAT WARP STRENGTH, SCOTTY NOT TO TAKE Our equipment and accessories buyer JON WICKHAM looks at new climbing products Soft goods buyer LISA BERGERUD on mountain marathons Photos: Midway camp on LAMM 2014, Strathcarron (Torridon) Photo: Arc’teryx ’ve just come back from taking part in the Lowe Day two, after all the food weight and sun cream s you may have noticed, staff and customers As well as this feature, Black Diamond’s attention to Don’t forget we are continuing our ‘Money IAlpine Mountain Marathon in Scotland. This entails has gone, should be easier but there’s always Aat George Fisher have increasingly fallen detail is evident throughout the units. Aluminium for Old Rope’ initiative to promote safety and being self-sufficient for two days, and (depending fatigue after the day before to contend with - am I in love with a Canadian brand called Arc’teryx. beads cover the cable stem, giving both the environmental responsibility in climbing. If you on how competitive you are) walking, trotting or selling a mountain marathon to you? I hope so, as Though well known for its beautifully made flexibility to insert the cam in to awkward cracks, bring a worn climbing rope in to the shop, you will running, navigating between marked checkpoints. they’re brilliant events to take part in and test your clothing, the company actually started out whilst maintaining their strength and durability. get 15% off the price of a new climbing rope. This It’s a fun way to get out there and explore, plus navigating skills. making climbing harnesses and recently it has Additionally the cam lobes, beads and sling are all is helping to reduce the amount of worn out ropes very satisfying when you do find the checkpoints. again revolutionised harness design with its colour coded to allow quick selection when you’re in circulation and ensuring that they are recycled We don’t manage to take part in these events own in-house technique called ‘Warp Strength gripped! rather than going in to landfill. Returned ropes are I’ve always enjoyed these events, spending the every year as it’s takes too much time out from Technology’. This involves taking a conventional turned over to Green Peak Gear, a charity which night with two of us squeezed into a one-man tent, our family and work, however we have managed climbing sling and, by hand, teasing out all of the specialises in turning old climbing ropes in to early mornings in magnificent Highland locations. to apply the ‘less is better’ principal to camping fibres that run across it, leaving just the ‘warp’ functional new products like dog leads If you’re really lucky the weather can be kind - or and we’ve spent many nights with our children, fibres. This dramatically reduces the weight and and doormats. thick mist (and midges) can be swirling under your from a very young age, wild camping. I do insisted bulk of the sling whilst maintaining its strength door... on toothbrushes, but on more than one occasion and increasing its flexibility. These remaining a foot has gone into a stream during the brushing fibres are then spread out into a broad belt, Packing is interesting. How much do you actually process - Smartwool socks are warm when wet! laminated, and sandwiched between a lightweight need? It’s a balance of what you want to take extra, layer of wicking fabric and a highly durable, water As the children have become older we’ve become Haglöfs LIM III Q Jacket versus the extra weight. There’s a compulsory list resistant soft-shell outer. of essential items - tent, survival and sleeping more adventurous and taken to epic cycle touring adventures.