GF UPDATE 77.indd 1 Page 9 technologies… the latest outdoor Jon Wickham profiles THE OUTDOORS ELECTRONICS IN NEW WINTERNEW STOCK NOW IN! SEE INSIDE FOR AFULL CLOTHING OFNEW ROUND-UP AND EQUIPMENT PLEASE TAKE FREE A COPY

WINTER 2011 | ISSUE 77 | GEORGEFISHER.CO.UK Page 12 ambitions… racer hasbig A young local CHAMPION? A FUTURE Page 16 TV claims... issue withhistorical Bill Birkett takes CLIMB? FIRST GREAT WIN! ADVENTURE SERIES TV HOW ODLO KITTED OUT THE 71 DEGREES NORTH GORE-TEX JACKET 3:1 WIN AVERSATILE BERGHAUS BERGHAUS JACKETS Page 18 weather forecast… the Chamonix Mark Seaton dreads FROM HELL THE WIND

weekdays only 017687 71801 OVERNIGHT DELIVERED FREE BEFORE NOONARE ORDERS RECEIVED PHONE &WEBSITE 01/12/2011 09:54

Stuart Holmes: Winter views from Blencathra SALOMON.COM

“Applying lessons learned from other glide sports, the BBR is a completely new ski concept in terms of shape, feel, and versatility. It is simply more fun in more conditions.” - Bertrand Krafft (aka BBR) Salomon alpine ski developer and Shaper of the BBR

SEE WHAT THE NEW SHAPE IS ALL ABOUT. SALOMON.COM/BBR

CHECK OUT THE NEW SALOMON ALPINE RANGE AVAILABLE AT

COPYRIGHT© SALOMON SAS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PHOTOGRAPHER: JOE FELZMAN. 2

GF UPDATE 77.indd 2-3 M GET READY FOR THE SLOPES

Heading for the ski resorts this winter? ANDY AIREY has the latest gear news.

Without doubt, the single most important piece of ski gear you’ll ever own is your boots; these can govern whether you enjoy your holiday or not. If they don’t fit and are uncomfortable, your holiday is ruined; but if you’ve found the boot that fits and supports your foot as well as matches your style then you’ll forget about your feet and just enjoy your skiing.

Our range includes boots from Salomon, Nordica and Head that cover various fit options, sizes and performance characteristics. I won’t bore you with the details of every boot because the only boot that’s relevant to anyone is THE ONE THAT FITS. However, I think it’s worth mentioning a couple of innovations for this season. Head Adapt Edge 90 Last season Head’s Edge boots were extremely backcountry option that delivers ski performance which links up with the popular, the medium volume when you need it. Women’s I/OS goggles to fit fo fered great comfort give all-round protection Salomon BBR 7.9 without compromising As usual our ski range covers on- and comfort as performance. This and all-mountain alternatives but well as making winter Head has added a before looking at anything a statement! completely new concept... else you have to take a There are more one boot with two lasts! peek at Salomon’s BBR economic The Adapt Edge 90 (£220) 7.9... you won’t have seen helmets and has a cam under the forefoot of the boot that anything like this! The BBR goggles (our can be adjusted with an Allen key and one turn has an oversized, surfboard- helmets start at increases the width from 102mm to 104mm; it shaped tip for flotation in soft snow and terrain £86 and goggles doesn’t sound much but it can make the difference absorption, combined with a narrow tail and short at £36) but there’s between pinched feet and absolute, blissful radius sidecut for quick, precise carving on piste. nothing quite like the comfort. Definitely worth a try! Arguably it’s one ski that does it all – and looks products from Smith! amazing. The other change we’ve seen this season is the Before you go on your introduction of three-buckle boots from Nordica You can buy the BBR 7.9 with bindings for £500, next ski trip come and and Salomon. Rather than have two buckles pulling however you can also take it as a plain ski for £400 talk to our experienced back into the shin and two more compressing the in order to mount ski-touring Fritschi bindings. product advisors and ski forefoot, the three-buckle options have just one Combined with the Salomon Quest 10 boot this technicians; let us help you buckle top and bottom while the third buckle is gives a complete all-mountain experience. find the perfect boots, , angled from the top of the instep to the heel. This helmets and goggles that Helmets, like boots, are fit critical; there’s only one ensures that the pressure pulls the will allow you to enjoy your way to find a helmet that’s right for you and that’s whole foot into the rear of the boot, skiing in comfort. holding the foot in the perfect to try several different styles. With a position to transmit power through selection of helmets from Bolle, Head, the boot into the ski. Giro and Smith there’s got to be one in our range for you. Check out the Nordica Fire Arrow F4 (£270) and Salomon’s When it comes to style as well as SKI WORKSHOP Quest 10 (£300) to see this functionality then my favourites have to be the helmet and goggle combinations Don’t forget to bring your new solution in action. The skis in for a service so you’re Quest 10 also combines the from Smith. The low-profile antV age helmet (£160) integrates seamlessly with the I/O ready for that first day on characteristics of a classic the slopes. Our ski workshop downhill boot with the Goggle (£150) to give the perfect blend of functionality, performance is open at all times except flexibility of a ski-touring the Christmas period when it style; the quick release and style. Smith also has the Women’s Variant is closed from 21st December walk mode means that to 2nd January inclusive. the Quest 10 is a credible Brim helmet (£135)

Salomon Quest 10

Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801 3

01/12/2011 09:54 GEAR ROUND-UP

Arc’teryx Alpha SV Glove

Will this winter be the fourth on women’s styles – at £160 a the trot when we’ve enjoyed (or pair they aren’t cheap but endured) proper winter conditions? if you suffer from cold hands The media has certainly done a then these offer an ultra-warm Outdoor good job of talking up the possibility solution. Research of freezing conditions and plenty Men’s Alti Mitt of snow! For mountaineering gloves you just have to try the legendary Alpha We have definitely seen a change SV Glove from Arc’teryx. Durable of attitude when it comes to 3-layer GORE-TEX Pro Shell fabric buying at this time of year. and flexible Lezanova leather People used to put off buying are bonded together in typical winter clothing and accessories Arc’teryx style – the thoughtful until the weather meant it became a necessity, design and beautiful construction – we’ve got five different styles priced between however the last few winters have encouraged the create a wonderfully articulated glove £35 and £70 made from various blends of Alpaca, early purchase of seasonal gear in order to avoid that comes with a detachable Polartec Wind Pro Merino and acrylic, the styles couldn’t be more missing out once icy conditions arrive. high-loft fleece liner. Priced at £20 per digit they different from the Buffs you know. Make a are an Arc’teryx devotee’s delight. That’s right £20/ statement when it’s cold… as Buff says “Character In previous cold spells, the most popular question digit - £200 for the pair - but just come and try is not an accessory”! was, “What’s your warmest glove?” For those of you them on, you’ll find out why! who feel the cold, the glove to look for is actually For a change I haven’t featured any of our a mitt! Since mitts trap a single large pocket of Before leaving gloves I have to mention (yet again) insulated jackets or ski clothing but it goes without air they are always warmer than gloves and the my favourite ski glove. I have banged on about saying we are carrying our usual broad range of warmest of our mitts is the Alti Mitt from Outdoor Salomon’s leather gloves ever since I bought my functional (and fashionable) styles throughout the Research. The Alti Mitt has a GORE-TEX shell filled first pair five years ago. The men’s Even glove and winter. with super-warm Primaloft insulation, and inside women’s Native glove are in the range again, both is a removable liner that has yet more Primaloft; at £80. They are very clean and simple gloves Our reaction to the changing conditions has been these mitts are designed to cope with the coldest made from high quality, supple leather lined to have winter products available earlier in the conditions imaginable. We stock men’s and with Primaloft insulation. There’s no waterproof autumn AND to buy more of them; yet again this membrane, however the combination of water- year we have seen many people buying well before resistant leather and hydrophobic Primaloft means temperatures dropped and so, even though we’d breathability is maximised and your hands stay ordered larger quantities overall, we’re still in warm in all conditions. Without doubt these are the danger of selling out relatively early in the season. most comfortable gloves I’ve ever owned. Call in and get sorted BEFORE winter sets in!

SNAKE in You’ll all be aware of that Multi (this is a ubiquitous multi-functional must!) (£70!) outdoor accessory, the Buff. These have been around for many years, ROOT in often copied but never bettered - as Violet (£35) ever hundreds of you have bought Buffs from us this year and I’m sure the demand for the warmer Buffs will be equally great this winter. Look out for a few new styles, the Storm Buff (£28), the Hood Buff (£35) and the Buff DUNES in Headband (£21). Grey (£35) The Storm Buff combines Gore Windstopper protection with soft-to-touch PS. Believe it or not I have also microfibre; this special ventured into the virtual world of construction makes Storm Buff Twitter, you can follow me: warm and comfortable whilst @aireyandy Hopefully I can give being fully reversible. The an insight into George Fisher and Hood Buff also uses Gore also the various other organisations Windstopper fabric, but as a I’m involved with - Keswick Tourism full hood offering protection Association, Cumbria Tourism and the for ears and head balaclava-style. RAW in Outdoor Industries Association. The Buff Headband is… a headband… but Grey (£45) with designs and styling that only Buff can do! Don’t forget you can follow George Fisher via @georgefisherukand share Completely new from Buff is their Urban Collection your experiences with us on Facebook

4 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801

GF UPDATE 77.indd 4-5 ENDLESS LEGS

LISA BERGERUD gets into lots of pants

Berghaus Himal Pant

Here at George Fisher we’ve become when it lives up to the name. stunned by their fit. Shirley said some women had accustomed to measuring and fitting tried them on the other day and they looked like boots and shoes, as we know that The Berghaus Himal Pant they had jodhpurs on, I think because of the front everyone’s feet are very different. £75 comes in short and leg pockets but they fitted me perfectly. Yes they However, the same applies to legs as I regular lengths (Borazon are a rugged fabric but if you’re deep in heather discovered when I was buying a pair of for men in three lengths) and granite that’s what you need. Again women, trousers. again a stretch fabric, plus we’re short and regular but men come in three side vents for hot walkers; sizes. I now want some too. We’ve taken a strange move now I’ve got strong thighs and put our men and women’s and these were very I think the moral of this trouser tale is not to trousers together in the room generous in the leg. Which set your sights on one pair of pants as they beside our footwear department. It does look like a was quite the opposite of The North Face Apex might not fit, but others will. We’ve got a great sea of legs but at least couples can try trousers on Trekking Pant (£110), Helena our shop manager’s selection of fits plus leg lengths and fabrics for together! There’s a plethora of fabrics and, more trouser of choice. This pant has an athletic cut and different conditions. Yes, the trouser room looks importantly, fits including leg lengths. It really is the fabric has a water repellent finish ey t still has overwhelming in legs but now you know why we worth taking your trousers off to try some of these stretch plus three leg lengths for men and women. need so many. on. I then went to the Mammut Base Jump Pant (£135), And by the way I haven’t even touched on all the I did a quick spin round the shop floor and asked which appears a clear favourite for our male running tights or RAB Power Stretch tights (£50) the staff either what they wore, or wanted to wear members of staff, with Sean liking the stretchy for Andy and Yvette, Montane microlight windproof and why. Shirley, a recent convert to Wainwright breathable fabric for climbing in the (British) trousers (£45) for Chris K, plus waterproof ticking, enjoys selling Ron Hill, Rab, Berghaus and summer plus its hardwearing and weather resistant overtrousers for anyone visiting Keswick and ski The North Face trousers. Why so many and not one character for snowsports in the winter. A true pants for me as I will go skiing this winter… as I favourite? Shirley wasn’t going to make it easy for all-year-round bit of kit. Norman also picked them said, endless legs. me, they all fit os differently so I was going to have for the fabric, but most importantly for him they to try them all on. would fit vo er his ski boots (he also quoted they made his bottom look nice too). The fabric is from I started with the Ron Hill Aspiration Soft Tech a Swiss company, Schoeller, and for our chaps its Pant (£55), a very stretchy and comfortable fabric performance has clearly justified its price. Sadly however I wasn’t so sure on the pockets (a shop women can only have regular legs but men’s floor member did point out ew ’re not supposed to versions are made in short, regular and tall - please be standing with our hands in pockets!). Plus I had note tall men, this really is a long leg. to go up a size (never good to admit) but they did fit beautifully in the right size. Short leg lengths Mark, ex kilt salesman and Lake District convert, are available too. clearly not wanting to miss out on the trouser action complained bitterly Moving up to the Rab Treklite at £65, I we didn’t have trousers to got three perfectly placed zip pockets. fit the physique of a short The fabric has a good stretch and the racing snake. Really? I pulled waistband is half elasticated for comfort. out The North Face Apex This pant comes in three leg lengths. (£110) and the Patagonia Claire, our constant explorer with long Lightweight Guide (£125). legs likes this in long but it did equally The most interesting noises well for me in the short. No frills but very of satisfaction came from practical. behind the curtain. Will Sir be taking both? Rab also has a Vapour-rise Pant at £70. Sarah (boot-fitter, keen walker and The last trouser I tried was Himalayan trekker) loved these pants from Haglofs, their Rugged for proper winter days, windproof with Mountain Pant (£130). a fleece lining making them very cosy. Again, if you’re a tall man I’d have to agree; their soft touch, part- you should try these. elasticated waist, simple pockets and an Jon our equipment and essential single zip security pocket gives accessory buyer always a great combination. says he wants a pair of these because they’re I then slipped into a little gem, the All Day burly and tough; exactly Haglofs Rain Pant from Sprayway at £70. Two leg Rugged why I’ve never been lengths for women and three for men. Mountain Pant tempted, however I was Does what it says on the tin, waterproof and there are quite a few days in Keswick The North Face Apex Trekking Pant 5

01/12/2011 09:54 ‘Our social network’ Philippe, Anna, Leo, Leah & Rob ghaus Limited. 1 Ber 1 e and Associates. © 20 .L. Gor ed trade mark of W egister X is a r TE E- ghaus Limited. GOR e trade marks of Ber E ar R NTU VE IVE FOR AD US and L HA RG E B

Escaping their everyday routine - watch our athletes’ adventure in our new TV advert: www.facebook.com/berghaus For the best outdoor gear visit: www.berghaus.com 6 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801

BHGF BrandUPDATE Group 77.indd Ad 6-7[A4]_CMYK.indd 1 15/11/2011 08:41 THREE INTO ONE DOES GO

How one garment CAN cover all your outdoor needs

Three in one? Sounds like some sort of mathematical theory. In truth it’s quite simple, a clever idea where a single garment gives you WIN! the flexibility to cover a large proportion of your hill walking needs throughout the year. A BERGHAUS

First there’s an outer protective shell made from JACKET waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX® Performance Shell fabric. This ‘2-layer’ fabric construction combines a GORE-TEX® membrane bonded to the outer material with a protective lining inside. Special GORE-SEAM® tape technology ensures all seams are durably waterproof.

Then there’s an insulated inner jacket, using fleece or synthetic insulation to give you a warm layer.

Wear these two garments separately, depending on your activity or the conditions, or combine them using a special zip-in feature to create a single warm, waterproof, breathable jacket. Voila – three garments in one! WIN A BERGHAUS 3:1 JACKET

Berghaus has worked with 1. Fill in your details 2. Detach the slip. 3. Hand in at George Fisher, or post to: the latest GORE-TEX® fabrics George Fisher, 2 Borrowdale Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DA 4. OR go online to produce two classic new and enter at www.georgefisher.co.uk designs, offering exceptional value whilst being packed Name: with intelligent, well Address: thought out features.

The men’s Benvane 3-in-1 Jacket combines a waterproof GORE-TEX® Performance Shell outer jacket with an inner jacket constructed using a windproof AF™ shell and stuffed with AT-Fibre Fill Men’s or women’s?: insulation for luxurious warmth. A roll-away hood with volume adjuster, two external zipped hand Size? pockets, zipped chest pocket and internal security Phone Number: pocket complete the spec. Email address: The women’s Atira 3-in-1 Jacket again has a 2-layer GORE-TEX® Performance Shell outer jacket [ ] Tick here if you do not want George Fisher to send you future details of news and promotions. which is cut to a flattering fit, [ ] Tick here if you do not want Berghaus to send you future details of news and promotions. offering both protection and George Fisher and Berghaus will not share your details with anyone else. contemporary styling. Combine this with the removable high- Terms & Conditions loft AT-Optic fleece and this 1. The promotion is only open to UK residents aged 18 or over, and excludes George Fisher and Berghaus employees and their immediate families jacket offers you outstanding 2. A valid email address is required to enter warmth – ideal for an icy 3. Two winners with correct answers (one male, one female) will be selected at random at the end of the promotion winter walk. (midday 10 February 2012) 4. Entries may be made in store, by post or online at www.georgefisher.co.uk and received by midday 10 February 2012. 5. Photocopied entries not accepted - entries only on original pages from The Update. We have two Berghaus 6. The winners will be contacted within 7 days of the draw. In the event that the winner has not responded within 14 jackets up for grabs - days of notification then the promoter reserves the right to reallocate the prize to a reserve winner. one men’s Benvane and 7. The winners’ name & county will be posted online at www.georgefisher.co.uk 8. There is no cash alternative one women’s Atira 9. By entering the promotion entrants confirm that they have read and agree to be bound by these terms & conditions - simply enter the and by the decisions of George Fisher, which are final in all matters relating to the promotion. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the prize. No correspondence will be entered into. competition opposite 10. George Fisher will not be responsible for the non-inclusion of entries as a result of technical failures or otherwise. for your chance to Proof of submission of entry is not proof of receipt of entry. win! 11. Winners name and county will be available by writing to George Fisher with a stamped addressed envelope after the closing date.

7 71801 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801 7

15/11/2011 08:41 01/12/2011 09:55 Winter climbing in Scotland or a season in the Alps, you need to LOCK know that your kit is secure and easily accessible. Our award winning patented ‘Headlocker’ system will secure any axe on & LOAD. the market to your pack, keeping it stable, streamlined and easily accessible.

The Alpine Attack range offers maximum durability using Dyneema fabric while optimising comfort by incorporating Lowe Alpine’s unique adaptive fit harness and hip belt system. Weighing in at just 850g* your load is lighter, more comfortable and more stable so you can get on with the job in hand.

Scan this using For more details contact Lowe Alpine on 01539 740840 your smartphone to Alpine Attack see how it all works Email [email protected]. www.lowealpine.com 45:55

*Alpine Attack 35-45 stripped weight. Also available in other sizes.

8 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801

GF UPDATE 77.indd 8-9 ELECTRONICS IN THE OUTDOORS JON WICKHAM looks at the latest outdoor technologies

It seems that technology is an ever-increasing presence in our lives. Whether you have the latest smartphone or not seems pretty inconsequential when striding up a Lakeland fell, but we have a few new arrivals in the shop that could actually add to your outdoor experience rather than detract from it.

The first is the new Garmin eTrex GPS unit. Many people will remember the old eTrex (the yellow one!) as a handy companion to pull out of your rucksack when the clag came down. This lives on as an updated unit called the eTrex 10 but its bigger brothers, the eTrex 20 and 30, now provide OS mapping which is a feature previously only available on Garmin’s higher end models.

A brand that is completely new to us is GoPro. This is a company that has taken the digital camera and ‘ruggedised’ it for use, well just about anywhere! The new HD2 camera is supplied in a super-tough waterproof case with a variety of straps and mounts, allowing it to be fixed to most surfaces including a helmet, bicycle, kayak, or simply held in the hand. This may be a small camera buts its picture quality has made it the ‘go to’ camera for many professional film ompaniec s including the BBC. The beauty of this is that you can get great video or still shots from the most dramatic locations imaginable, whether that is scaling a rock wall, skiing down some alpine powder, or simply the fantastic view from the top of a Lakeland fell.

The final product, and again a completely new brand for us is Goal Zero. This slightly oddly named company produces a range of solar charging solutions for charging everything from a mobile phone to an WHAT MAKES A TILLEY HAT A entire film crew! Using the more efficient mono-crystalline solar panels, unlike the GOOD INVESTMENT? poly-crystalline of its competitors, these • Guaranteed for life. Free replacement if it ever wears out. panels can charge devices from cloudy skies within a matter of hours. The panels • Certified UPF 50+ the highest sun protection rating given. and charging units are lightweight enough • Insured against loss or grievous damage. 2 years, all perils, to take backpacking and robust enough to GoPro Hero 2 camera 50% Deductible. survive trip after trip. Goal Zero also produces a range of innovative • Crushable and Packable. accessories, including speakers and LED lights, making them ideal • Ties on in the wind, floats, water-repellent. for camping trips away from easy access to power. Being freed from plug sockets allows you to keep your camera charged for the whole • Won’t shrink. Machine – or hand washable. Air dries in a few hours. duration of the holiday, and ensures you can keep your mobile phone • Blissful comfort: designed to fit low and loose, held on by running in case you need it. gravity or the wind cords, not painful pressure. • One size doesn’t fit all – Upto 10 sizes for proper fit. • Made in Canada, since 1980 for men and women worldwide.

For further details on any of the above ask instore or visit www.tilley.com T: 0800 374353 7 71801 Goal Zero Guide 10 Kit

01/12/2011 09:55 BASE LAYER FOR THE STARS

Odlo supplies 71 Degrees North TV series

Technical base layer experts Odlo were The teams were guided through their sub-zero Filmed in sub-zero temperatures and icy official suppliers to the second series of experience by presenters Paddy McGuinness and conditions, both the contestants and film crew had ITV1’s adventure show 71 Degrees North, set Charlotte Jackson, and faced a series of challenges. to make sure they were properly equipped, hence among the glaciers and snowy landscapes of This year’s celebs include EastEnders star Martin the need for Odlo’s top-quality base layer to keep Scandinavia. Kemp, actor and comedian John Thomson, them warm and dry. hairdresser Nicky Clarke, panellist The adrenaline-fuelled programme mixes and EastEnders actress Brooke Rav Wilding, who won after beating Angellica Bell spectacular experiences and perilous situations Kinsella. and Amy Williams in the final, aids he couldn’t even with breathtaking scenery, culminating inside the tell his own mother he had won. Rav won after Arctic Circle. US TV star Sean Maguire also joined the line-up, a dramatic final askt shown in November, but in along with Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams, TV reality the celebrities finished filming theerie s s The eight-part adventure series starred ten gardener Charlie Dimmock, Crimewatch presenter in March and Rav was sworn to secrecy until the celebrities fighting their aw y to the northernmost Rav Wilding and TV presenter Angelica Bell. Each finale aired. tip of mainland Europe. week the teams lost a member as the adventurers voted for whom they’d like to send home. You can find xe actly the same Odlo base layer here at George Fisher, worn by the stars but also the rest of us who just want to stay warm, dry and comfortable!

The 71 Degrees North team all wear Odlo

10 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801

GF UPDATE 77.indd 10-11 ODLO official baselayer supplier to 71 Degrees North now available in store

www.odlo.com 11

01/12/2011 09:55 A FUTURE CHAMPION?

FRANCESCA LEE is a Keswick-based ski racer with big ambitions

Recently George Fisher started giving some assistance to Francesca Lee, a very keen 13 year old ski racer who attends Keswick School. Francesca started skiing young and moved into racing relatively recently, but has been making quite an impression on the junior scene. We thought we’d ask Francesca to tell us a little more…

When did you first ski? On a family holiday to Badhofgastein in Austria, when I was three. My dad was a Francesca keen skier and endured three years of not skiing after I was born, so as soon as in action possible he took us all away. However, he spent most of the time checking I was OK rather than skiing!

How did you get into ski racing? None of my family had any experience of ski racing other than my dad watching Ski Sunday. After I had been on a few ski trips, an instructor that lives in our village mentioned Kendal ski club so I went along and really enjoyed it. Then someone mentioned Rossendale Summer Race league, which was a whole new experience for all of us, and that is where my ski racing really started on dry ski slopes.

How long have you been racing? I have been racing four years now, but it seems longer! I was nine when I first raced at the Rossendale Race series and the following year when I was ten I also did a race series at Sheffield, placing first in my age category at both Rossendale and Sheffield. I also competed in some ‘Club Nationals’ on dry ski slopes in the ‘Mini’ category and I saw the tough national competition of trained ski racers. That year I was also able to compete in my first real snow race at The Lecht in Scotland. The whole race set-up was still new to us and at that race my Mum acted as my coach for Course Inspection although she was probably the only coach who was snow ploughing, and we did not know what we were meant to be inspecting!

Which discipline do you prefer – downhill, slalom or GS? Slalom has poles (known as gates) closer together, is faster as the gates are further apart, Super G has even less gates and can be very fast, and Downhill has less gates still so it is extremely fast. Francesca’s trophy The small dry slope and indoor snow slopes are only big enough for slalom collection! courses, so I mainly train and race slalom. My favourite dry slope is at Hillend, Edinburgh and it is long enough for GS races (my last race time there was 24.32 seconds for a 500m course, an average of over 46mph!). I have also trained and raced GS on snow and I would say GS is probably my favourite. In Bormio in Italy in 2010 I had my one and only run at Super G which I was really looking forward to and really enjoyed it, at least for the five gates before I crashed out on an invisible bump! Fortunately I was uninjured but really disappointed as I don’t often get the chance to do Super G and this was the last race of that trip.

How do you know which gates to go through? You do a course inspection, and from training you get used to going the correct way around the gates. It is quite easy to follow when you get the hang of it but there are some odd looking gates when you first come across them – there is one called the banana gate! I try to memorise the course and so after course inspection I close my eyes and imagine myself going down the course - it looks like I am wiggling a lot! At some races less experienced racers are allowed Francesca presented guides that take the racers down the course, but the guide must remember not with silverware by to go through the timing beam at the finish! Also in some of the less serious Finley Mickel races you are allowed to ski down the course beforehand.

12

GF UPDATE 77.indd 12-13 HERVÉ BARMASSE, GRESSONEY, VALLE D’AOSTA, ITALY. PHOTO: DAMIANO LEVATI.

How and where do you train? I regularly train on dry slopes, mainly at Sunderland and sometimes at Kendal, also at the ‘Chill Factor’ in Manchester and sometimes at the indoor snow centre at Castleford, Leeds.

For the last winter season I started to train at Cairngorm in Scotland with the Scottish Ski Club and I will be training there again soon this winter, can’t wait! I am also training with the Scottish FAST camps this winter.

Whose equipment do you use? Skis, poles, boots etc I am on Dynastar slalom skis and Rossignol GS skis, Salomon boots, with Leki race poles which my parents have bought for me, but I am exploring with George Fisher about changing to Salomon skis. Ski preparation is important for all skiers and especially to ski racers where this can make a vital difference to the race times. Ski racers often prep their skis before each run of a race and most have two identical pairs of skis, one for the training runs and one pair kept prepared for the race runs only.

What ski heroes do you have? Chemmie Alcott – I have won several cups that Chemmie won when she was my age. Alain Baxter – He coached me at a ski camp at the Chill Factor and most of the time was spent perfecting an explosive start – I spent hours practising my start and climbing back up the hill to do it over again and again! It was really useful. Then there’s Finley Mickel, Martin Bell, Dave Ryding (2010 Olympic competitor from Lancashire) and TJ Baldwin.

What do your friends think? My school friends understand and are really supportive, especially if I have to miss a party because of a ski race, as is often the case. I have also gained loads of friends from all over the UK from the ski racing circle.

Can British ski racers ever be as good as those from Alpine countries? Yes, many of our ski racers have quite high rankings so they are better than many of those from the Alpine countries. The Alpine countries probably have more entrants into the sport so it is perhaps a harder challenge to be number one, but the difficulties that the British face to be able to compete just shows how determined the British ski racers are.

What’s happening this winter – where are you racing? With the summer race league over I aim to be competing in the BARSC races held in Champoluc, Italy in December and the Anglo Scottish Races in Les Houches at the start of January. Also there’s the English Championship in Bormio, Italy in February, and the ISF World Schools Ski Championship in Italy in March, as well as dry slope and indoor snow races in the UK. The British Championships at Meribel at Easter may also be an option. As is often the case a lot depends on funds and I would like to add that I am really grateful to George Fisher for the help and assistance they are providing.

Some useful links for budding ski racers might be www.franski.co.uk (my site), www.britski.org and www.racer-ready.co.uk

Just before we went to press we heard some great news, Francesca has been selected to represent England in the World Schools Championships in Gressoney, Italy in March 2012. Also Francesca just won a ‘rising star’ award at the Cumbria Sports Awards, and was second in her age group (and fifth overall) at the Scottish Indoor Championships. 13

01/12/2011 09:55 DES OLIVER says he’s still loving it after 60 years on skis De s Oliv er with his s on Glen Shee R oo f , S c o tland

Walking on snow. Sledging on snow. Climbing on directions by pushing the ski heels apart. This soon snow. And last but not least, skiing on snow. If developed into the ‘stem turn’, which brought the you live in the Lake District and you’re a mountain heels back together once the turn was completed. enthusiast, sooner or later you’ll find yourself Then came the ‘’ or ‘Christiana’, which taking part in all these activities. I’ve tried them pulled the skis together sooner. This turn was all and I suppose I should add running on snow, perfected by Hannes Schneider, one of the famous training for fell running. I bought my first fell Red Devils from St Anton, Austria (so called from shoes early in 1960 and tried them out running the red sweaters they wore). Schneider emigrated through snowdrifts on Skiddaw. They proved to America in the late 1930s to escape the Nazi ideal footwear, and later that year I won the Lake regime and pioneered skiing in the States, starting District Mountain Trial in them. the first . Nowadays there are many ways of controlling skis, including the which Walking on snow took place all the time, especially keeps the skis together at all times. en route to winter climbs maybe on Great End or Helvellyn, or more often with Mountain Rescue to I have skied on all the mountains around Keswick carry some injured climber or find a missing fell including countless times on Raise, Helvellyn as walker. a member of the Lake District Ski Club. The Club maintains a piste and lift on Raise, and I was Sledging was very much an activity of my younger involved in building the club hut. days. I recall sledging on Latrigg in the 1930s and being amazed to see a man skiing. Little did I know I recall that my first skis and ski boots cost £15, that twenty years later I would be doing the same whereas my latest skis, poles and boots cost well thing in the same place! over £300! Ski trips are more expensive than package tours to sunny destinations but it makes no Skiing has been the main winter activity of my entire difference; once you’ve been bitten by the ski bug adult life – that’s over 60 years’ skiing and counting! there’s no turning back. I learned to ski ‘properly’ When did skiing start? Well apparently people were at a ski school in Austria and went on to do a lot of sliding about on bits of wood 2,000 years before in Scotland and the Alps. I even became Christ, but the early 19th century pleasure skiers a instructor at the Glenmore began in closely followed by the Alpine Lodge centre near Aviemore for a while. It may be countries. The ‘father’ of modern skiing was an true to say that I have had a full life on skis – now I Austrian called Mathias Zdarsky who introduced the get to ski with my grandchildren, which is great fun. snowplough turn, allowing skiers to turn in different

14

GF UPDATE 77.indd 14-15 NEW GPS FROM GARMIN The eTrex GPS just got bigger and better Free Garmin Birdseye Select Voucher (SRP £19.99) with Garmin’s new eTrex handheld GPS just got more versatile and user-friendly, while maintaining its every Oregon 450, GPSMap 62S traditional toughness and durability. and Montana 600 GB Discoverer More importantly there’s an enhanced map capacity that supports the latest Ordnance Survey mapping. Whether you’re walking off the beaten track, Bundle Purchased taking the kids camping, or it’s your first foray into Geocaching these new additions - along with up to 25 hours of battery life - make it easier than ever to explore the unknown

The three new models which make up the family have been totally updated. All eTrex now include USB connectivity and a cable, making it easier to plan and review your activities on your PC or Mac. The eTrex 20 and 30 have the addition of a 2.2” colour screen, which allows you to add Ordnance Survey mapping onto the unit at 1:25k or 1:50k.

At George Fisher, we’ve recently been out with Garmin testing the new units and these are definitely a big step forward. The eTrex 10 is ideal for the dedicated map and compass user who wants a solid back-up unit that provides reassurance on a claggy day, while the eTrex 20 and 30 are excellent stand-alone units with colour screens and selective mapping. The battery life of up to 24 hours means you don’t need to worry about constant usage (however as with all GPS we’d always advise carrying spare batteries…).

Go Geocaching... With geocaching growing quickly as an activity, and new caches being placed everyday around the UK, Garmin has updated the eTrex family to included all the latest geocaching technology.

Take this powerful pocket-size GPS device with you on your next geocaching adventure and leave the paper OS print-outs at home. The new eTrex series supports the 1:25K EXPLORER easy download of geocache locations and details straight to the unit using its high- DOWNLOAD speed USB connection. The eTrex stores VOUCHER and displays all the information you’ll INCLUDED need including location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions, which means no more manually entering coordinates M03-00813-00 and those paper print outs! To start paperless geocaching simply upload the geocaching GPX file ot your unit and start hunting for caches. Caches *Offer valid in store and online at can be downloaded from OpenCaching.com or Geocaching.com www.georgefisher.co.uk until the 31st December 2011 or while stocks last. 15

01/12/2011 09:55 FIRST GREAT CLIMB? YOU MUST BE JOKING

BILL BIRKETT takes issue with historical TV claims

Shown on 22 November on BBC 2 Scotland, the Great Stack of Handa was Let’s have a look at the real history of British climbing. Even if by some bizarre an audacious attempt to re-write the history books. In reality it would have reasoning you could class reaching the top of the Stac of Handa by sliding been better reserved for 1 April or as a sketch on Monty Python. As a piece across a rope as climbing, then so what? Chronologically it wasn’t even the of history on egg/fulmar collecting it was indeed fascinating, but to claim it first recorded climb in Scotland. That would surely be Duncan MacIntyre and as the ‘first great rock climb’ was simply farcical. Quite evidently it wasn’t Prof James Forbes’ ascent of Sgurr nan Gillean by the south east ridge in 1836 even a climb. The men of Lewis tyroleaned across, using a rope slung over – a route which most definitely includes a section of rock climbing. The same the top. Surely spectacular for 1876, but to claim it as any kind of climb is route was soloed by the great John Mackenzie in 1866 which alone predates the completely delusory. Handa crossing by some ten years. Mackenzie, a native of Skye, was a born rock climber and apparently only ten years of age when he soled Gillean! And as we It was if the entire team, whose credentials and climbing ability are not in all know, it was Hunter, Lang and MacInnes that made the first bottom-up true question, had been mass brainwashed. How could they possibly claim that ascent of the Stac of Handa in 1969. sliding across a rope to reach the top of this huge stack, conveniently cornered by the island cliff, had anything to do with either the spirit or history of But all of this is predated by climbs in the Lake District. The programme was climbing? For centuries, possibly millennia, the western islanders have been right about one thing - the crossing to the Stac of Handa was ten years earlier making rope descents (and obviously re-ascents) to collect eggs and birds as than W P Haskett Smith’s ascent of Napes Needle. However, and you do have vital form of food. Impressive, yes, but to be classed as climbing in today’s to know something of the real history of Lakeland climbing to appreciate this, acceptance of the term, most definitely not. Indeed before hemp or sisal was there were numerous recorded climbs in the Lake District before the ascent imported the Lewis men twisted their ropes from heather stems which is, of Napes Needle. The first recorded British ascent that I am aware of was weight for weight, one of the strongest natural materials in the world. Had the Edward Birkett and Jonathan Otley’s ascent of Broad Stand up the East Buttress TV team researchers looked a little further into the history of these remarkable of Scafell (see Scafell - A Portrait of a Mountain for details) made on 7 June islanders they would have found in the numerous croft museums an ingenious 1815. Interestingly the poet Samuel Coleridge (probably under the influence of device that was used to spin these ropes (see my book A Year In The Life of the laudanum) had already descended Broad Stand back in 1802. Isle of Skye). Pillar Rock, after perhaps a century of endeavour, was climbed in 1826 by Ennerdale shepherd John Atkinson up the climb called Old West Route. And this route received its first ascent by a woman in 1870, some six years before MacDonald visited the top of the Stac of Handa. Anyhow, enough of this date crunching. In truth I must say I admire Triple Echo and BBC Scotland for putting on the Handa show. It just seems a great shame that here in England, especially in the Lake District the true home of British climbing and the most popular National Park for walking and climbing, all that TV can do is support the ‘celebrities’ that repeatedly jump on the Wainwright (yawn) band wagon. In truth that’s the real farce.

16 Stac of Handa

GF UPDATE 77.indd 16-17 STAFF PROFILE INTRODUCING... NORMAN PRETSWELL Ski Technician and Boot Fitter

Having owned and run a removal and storage business in Newcastle with my wife for 20 years, we decided it was high time to do exactly what our customers did and move. We have always enjoyed the outdoors, being mountain bikers, rock climbers and walkers, and the Lake District has always been one of our favourite locations. So Keswick it was!

Not having a job was the first hurdle, but this was remedied by buying Woodside Guest House, Penrith Road, Keswick. Now anyone who’s run a B&B will tell you it’s not exactly restful, but not being quite satisfied with that I decided I’d also quite like to work in outdoor retail. This would tick all the boxes given my range of hobbies, to which I can also add skiing and motorcycling. So in 2007 it came to pass that I arrived at George Fisher, the flagship outdoor store in the Lake District.

I am currently a ski technician and boot fitter and enjoying it immensely, and you’ll mostly find me on the ground floor. I’m certainly hoping to get a few ski breaks in this season, so see you on the slopes!

NEW eTrex: PERFECT FOR GEOCACHING, A FUN-FILLED HIGH-TECH TREASURE HUNT FOR ALL THE FAMILY.

You’ll recognise the name, you’ll love the quality. The new eTrex has everything you’d expect from Garmin, plus an array of 1:25K and 1:50K OS mapping options*. Rugged on the outside, smooth on the inside, eTrex puts the great in outdoors.

garmin.co.uk/etrex

*Available on eTrex 20 and 30 only 17

01/12/2011 09:55 THE WIND FROM HELL

Our man in Chamonix, mountain guide MARK SEATON, dreads the arrival of the Foehn Wind

Each day when I study the weather forecast, the one word I do not want to see is Foehn.

The Foehn is the name given to a strong southerly wind, which blows up from the Mediterranean. Warm, moist air blowing off the sea travels towards the Alps. As this air hits the mountains it is forced upwards. This effect cools the air and forms clouds, and in turn these clouds dump lots of snow on the southern Italian Alps. The moisture, which fell as snow over Italy, is condensed out of the wind. This process warms the wind, which undergoes further heating and drying as it descends the northerly slopes into the Chamonix Valley. The difference between the weather on the southern side compared to the northern side has to be seen to be believed.

Last December I awoke to the full anger of the Foehn. No snow in Chamonix, but a very strong warm wind with a temperature LOVE AT of eight degrees which had shut the cable cars, and thick clouds FIRST TOUCH billowing over Mont-Blanc. Worst of all I had two clients who wanted to go skiing! I phoned a mountain guide friend in Italy to ask what conditions were like over there. He told me it was cold and snowing. I was not sure whether to believe him or not but we had nothing else to do, so we thought we’d better go and have a look. We drove the mere ten miles to Courmayeur through the Mont-Blanc tunnel. Sure enough it was snowing like crazy and the air temperature was minus nine. We enjoyed a brilliant day powder skiing while people wore shirtsleeves in Chamonix.

The Foehn can blow at any time of the year but its effect is often most dramatic in early spring. This is because the wind melts the NEW SEASON COLLECTION winter’s snow very quickly, especially below 2000 metres. The INSTORE NOW result can create significant avalanche risk to ski mountaineers. Equally dramatic is the effect that the Foehn can have on the local inhabitants. The very dry air tends to make people dehydrated. It can give them headaches and make people feel generally lethargic and irritable. In past years there was a regional court in Chamonix, the court would never sit when the Foehn was blowing because it was recognised that the best decisions might not be made.

So spare a thought the next time you are in the Lakes in the pouring rain. No matter how bad you feel, it is not as bad as the situation can be in the Alps when the Foehn is blowing:

Fellow Chamonix mountain guide Andy Perkins illustrates the effect of the Foehn Wind

18 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801

GF UPDATE 77.indd 18-19 SHORTCUTS CLINIC SUCCESS (but please book first!)

Our expert biomechanics-specialist podiatrist Andrew Stanley opened his inaugural Hill Walking Clinic at George Fisher on 1st August. Since then his clinics have been fully booked, and in fact there was so much demand that Andrew scheduled extra dates.

The Hill Walking Clinic is scheduled to be with us on Mondays. Please note YOU MUST BOOK a consultation with Andrew at George Fisher in advance, by calling the Rebound Clinic on 01729 825900.

The clinics are so popular you won’t be able to just pop in on the day unfortunately. Andrew Stanley’s Hill Walking Clinic at George Fisher

GIVE GREEN With a gift from Icebreaker

On November 28 and throughout the holiday season, The Nature Conservancy is encouraging consumers to purchase responsible, meaningful gifts as part of their second annual Green Gift Monday campaign. Icebreaker is teaming up with George Fisher in a special ‘Give Green’ promotion throughout December.

Buy Icebreaker products – the perfect Christmas gift – and Icebreaker will donate to local conservation charity Nurture Lakeland, with George Fisher matching the donation.

Learn more at http://blog.nature.org/green-gift-monday Icebreaker and George Fisher are donating to conservation CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES

Monday 19th December 9.00am – 5.30pm Friday 30th December 9.00am – 6.00pm Tuesday 20th December 9.00am – 5.30pm Saturday 31st January 9.00am – 5.30pm Wednesday 21st December 9.00am – 5.30pm Sunday 1st January 10.30am – 4.30pm Thursday 22nd December 9.00am – 5.30pm Monday 2nd January 9.00am – 6.00pm Friday 23rd December 9.00am – 5.30pm Tuesday 3rd January 9.00am – 5.30pm Saturday 24th December 9.00am – 4.30pm Wednesday 4th January 9.00am – 5.30pm Sunday 25th December CLOSED Thursday 5th January 9.00am – 5.30pm Monday 26th December CLOSED Friday 6th January 9.00am – 5.30pm Tuesday 27th December 9.00am – 6.00pm Saturday 7th January 9.00am – 5.30pm Wednesday 28th December 9.00am – 6.00pm Sunday 8th January 10.30am – 4.30pm Thursday 29th December 9.00am – 6.00pm

PRIZE WINNERS PRIZE WINNERS The winners of the two Salomon Mountain Crossing The winner of this quarter’s Walk Plan draw is Ed Curl, jackets from our competition in Issue 75 are Sue Ebbens who was staying at Goodwin House, Keswick. Ed and the from Suffolk, and Wayne Brewis from Northumberland. guesthouse owner get £50 George Fisher vouchers.

7 71801 Phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight 017687 71801 19

01/12/2011 09:56 AVALANCHE TRAINING FACILITY OPENS

Avalanches don’t just occur in Scotland and the Alps – heavy snowfall in recent winters has seen avalanches occurring in the Lake District too. Anyone out on the fells this winter should know the avalanche basics – where, why, and what to do.

The world’s first permanent, year-round avalanche training facility was opened in November at Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, Glenmore Lodge. Specifically designed to help mountain rescue teams and winter outdoor enthusiasts practice avalanche search and rescue techniques, the 500 square metre facility provides an artificial, highly realistic location that enables would-be rescuers to simulate various scenarios at any time of year.

Designed by transceiver manufacturers Back Country Access (BCA), the training park involves four avalanche transceivers simulating victims being buried under a deep layer of woodchip that covers the park. Every beacon is connected underground to a central control box where one or more beacons can be turned on to emit a signal that is picked up by the transceivers worn by rescuers. BCA (whose transceivers are available at George Fisher) have provided £4,000 of hardware to support the facility Scottish Sports Minister, – a fantastic gesture. Shona Robison at the launch Photo: Rob Eyton-Jones

N107535GOR_GFU09_2011.indd 1 23.08.11 16:57 Published by George Fisher Limited, 2 Borrowdale Road, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5DA Tel: 017687 72178 Website: www.georgefisher.co.uk Email: [email protected] The publishers of The Update would like to thank all contributors to this edition, noting that the opinions expressed in submitted articles are those of their authors, and not neccessarily of George Fisher Ltd. Editor: Clive Allen | Design: Lavahouse Associates | Printed by Reeds Printers Penrith (Tel: 01768 864214) Printed on 100% Recycled Paper

GF UPDATE 77.indd 20 01/12/2011 09:56