Winter Fun on the Fells
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the theUpdateUpdate WINTER 2009 - ISSUE 69 WINTER 2009 - ISSUE 69 georgefi sher.co.uk New season stock now in! See inside for a full round-up of new clothing and equipment WINTER FUN ON THE FELLS Ask any Mountain Rescue Team in With the right knowledge and equipment,pment, bbeingeing Cumbria and they’ll tell you that the Lake out in the mountains in winter george fisher safety first District fells in winter are no place to go weather has its own appeal – the unprepared. satisfaction of being in control in poor conditions. On the down side, george fisher That’s not to say that the winter fells are a winter walking has more potential safety first no-go zone. Quite the opposite in fact. Properly for risk given that a simple accidentt prepared and with the right equipment, there can more rapidly turn into a seriouss can be few more exhilarating places to be than situation. So if you’re heading out the frost-laden summits of Lakeland’s fi nest on the fells this winter, are you fullyy mountains. prepared? It’s in winter especially that you appreciate the We’ve now produced a special bookletlet design features built into your gear. Lightweight called George Fisher Safety First that’sat’s aallll waterproofs won’t cope with blizzard conditions about winter safety in the hills. Availableilable but a fully-specifi ed 4-season jacket allows free in the store, the booklet has beeneen you not only to survive, but actually to enjoy written in conjunction with experts atat some the situation. You’ll need effective insulation; of the top brands we stock. Please ppickick not just fl eece but maybe down or synthetic one up and have a look through – perhapserhaps too. Map and compass skills become essential, over a coffee in Abraham’s – and makeake sure backed up perhaps by the miracle of GPS. that you’re prepared for those chillyy bbutut Footwear becomes a serious factor, both for exhilarating days on the fells. And iff you’re cold-weather comfort and underfoot security. interested in honing your winter skillsills whywhy Plus crampons and axes may be needed – do not try a weekend course, perhaps at YHA you know how to use them properly? Derwentwater? (see page 12) Pick upup our free winter leafl et in store THE GEAR’S HERE! Ah, winter. I love the smell of new gear snowsports garments plus new ranges in the morning. Now’s the time that the from The North Face, Salomon store fi lls up with new products, the very and Marmot. Andy Airey gives best and latest designs from some of the the low-down on all these world’s top outdoor and ski brands. products on page 4, while John Owens examines the Big recommendations for this season latest ski hardware on include Schoffel ski gear, beautifully page 7 including some very thought through and very high quality, special new ski helmets and including their Voltage, Omega and goggles. Plus we take a quick women’s Cecile jackets. look at why Rab clothing is so highly rated. Better hurry; some Then there’s Haglofs - one of our favourite of these are literally fl ying off the mountain brands - with new climbing and shelves… Schoffel Cecile Jacket for women Haglofs Couloir Jacket phone and website orders received before noon are delivered free overnight georgefi sher.co.uk 1 t 017687 71801 • weekdays only the Update WINTER 2009 - ISSUE 69 WARMTH WITHOUT WEIGHT RAB IS A COMPANY THAT’S WELL KNOWN FOR ITS QUALITY GEAR When company founder Rab Carrington started making guide Rich Cross says, the Hoodie provides “Perfect emergency protection down sleeping bags over 30 years ago, he did so to for any situation. During a full summer’s pass time and earn a few bob while he was waiting Alpine guiding this went just about for customs to release his climbing kit in Chile. A everywhere with me. Given its light talented climber, he had spent much of the 1970s weight, packability and excellent hood, on expeditions around the world and in doing it goes unnoticed in the bottom of your so gained the best education possible in sack until things go a bit gnarly.” understanding what climbers need. Rab started manufacturing from home in Two of Rab’s signature down garments Sheffi eld making gear designed for climbers, are the Microlight and Neutrino by climbers and in the mid 1980s became the Endurance jackets. The Microlight fi rst manufacturer to use Pertex in sleeping Jacket is an ultra-lightweight Pertex- bags and down jackets. shelled down garment with 750+ fi ll power goose down, and which stuffs Now ‘retired’ (but climbing harder than ever!), into its own chest pocket. The Neutrino Rab’s legacy continues in the company that Endurance is the benchmark for Rab Photon Hoody bears his name. George Fisher stocks modern mountaineering with its Pertex several Rab products, amongst them Endurance outer giving protection with Rab Neutrino Endurance Jacket the Photon Hoodie - an essential piece of kit for those who spend time in minimal weight and packsize, and high the mountains, especially in winter. Filled with Primaloft Sport synthetic lofting is provided by 220g of pure white goose insulation, it provides maximum warmth for minimum weight. As mountain down. PHOTO: BEN WINSTON Men’s Microlight jacket Women’s Microlight jacket www.rab.uk.com available at George Fisher 3 the Update WINTER 2009 - ISSUE 69 GEAR ROUND-UP Andy Airey gets all wintry with the latest ski clothing The annual arrival of ski gear in George Fisher adds a new Schoffel skiwear combines freedom of movement and dimension to the store. The reappearance of snowsports protection from the weather – modern performance products give the winter clothing range a very different look, materials, comfortable designs and quality compared to our more usual walking/climbing image. that lasts longer than one season! New to us for this winter is Schoffel, a family-owned German brand Haglofs gives us a different slant on established over 200 years ago. Schoffel is one snowsport clothing. We have the of the market leaders in Europe – if you ski in Couloir Jacket and Pants (£425 and Germany, Austria or Switzerland it’s the name £325) for both men and women. These you’ll see time and time again. Over the garments are feature-fi lled but the years Schoffel has gained a reputation thing that sets them apart from anything for producing top-quality stylish else we’ve ever stocked is the GORE-TEX clothing that looks good and performs Softshell fabric. This is a stretch, waterproof/ brilliantly. breathable GORE-TEX shell with a warm, light Haglofs Couloir Jacket liner – it gives complete weather protection Not surprisingly our new venture along with extra thermal effi ciency. You remain with Schoffel has been launched dry and warm so you need fewer bulky layers to remain comfortable. with a limited range, however from the moment the products The Couloir also benefi ts from the distinctive Haglofs design – one look arrived it became obvious that we’d and you know who’s made it. If you have enjoyed using Haglofs gear when underestimated demand – our staff walking or climbing, here are the products that transfer their Scandinavian loved it, always a good sign! Schoffel Cecile Jacket for women outdoor know-how to skiing. Women have the Cecile jacket and Ilena Stretch Pants (£280 and £190 respectively); both use Venturi Stretch fabric, a waterproof These new top-end products are breathable material that gives great fi t, great movement underpinned with snowsport ranges and maximum performance. The Cecile jacket has all from The North Face, Salomon and the features you would expect to fi nd in a top-quality Marmot with jacket prices from £180. For ski jacket but it’s not the list of features that make this a real mountain all-rounder check out special - it’s the way the garment is designed. Comfort, Marmot’s Spire Jacket (£230), a classic fi t and freedom make for the ideal skiing companion! The GORE-TEX shell with a mountain hood and Ilena Pant comes with a detachable bib so you can have the pit zips; the addition of a detachable snow security of bib and braces, or zip off the top and attach the pants skirt means the Spire can be your ideal ski to the Cecile’s snow skirt giving all the protection of a ski suit without jacket too. any of the drawbacks! Protect your extremities with a choice from Men get the Voltage and Omega jackets, along our range of hats and gloves. My favourite with the Pollux pants (£460, £380 and £250 accessory for this year is the Helix Glove from Haglofs Helix Glove respectively). As you would expect the men’s Haglofs (£80), a soft shell glove with Pittards jackets are crammed with features – there’s leather on palm and fi ngers, insulated with Primaloft. It fi ts beautifully and is a pocket for everything you’ll ever need incredibly dextrous. How can I justify buying yet another pair of ski gloves?! on a ski slope (even one with a tethered lens cloth), detachable snow skirt, zip-off We have a range of base layers, insulation, hats and gloves to complement hood with clear-view sides, cuff-integrated your choice of skiwear – you’ll fi nd everything you need for your trip mitts, stowaway balaclava….the list goes wherever you’re heading to fi nd snow. Unlike more classic mountain on. Combine either jacket with the stretch products the ski range is completely fresh every year with colours, styles Pollux pant and you will feel as though you and brands always updated – call in and be inspired! could ski anything! Schoffel Omega Jacket 4 the Update WINTER 2009 - ISSUE 69 GIVE FEET A CHANCE Lisa Bergerud recommends you take your feet seriously Time and again I hear people say that foot comfort is the Andrew gets continually frustrated when his most important thing to them when out walking, other clients say ‘I should have done this, years than map and compass (plus clothing of course, unless ago!’ Yes he’s fi xed them now, but they didn’t you’re the naked rambler).