Tag: Cross Country Ski

  • Mountainguides 25 year Celebration Events

    John White, the founder of Lakes Challenge has designed a range of holidays to his favourite places to celebrate the 25th year of Mountain Guiding  – all of which he knows will offer a wonderful experience.

    Paps of Jura
    Paps of Jura

    He has always been inspired by the landscapes and wildlife to be found in the areas he visits as well as the quality of the walking, climbing and Via Ferrata and this is reflected in the programme.

    Each holiday has been designed to offer the very best in walking, scrambling, climbing and wildlife watching and he has added something extra  to each one to provide a really top class experience.

    There’s a multi active week in the sunny Andalucian springtime, with opportunities to walk in the Grazalema National Park, climb, scramble, watch wildlife and enjoy classic Via Ferrata.

    You can snowmobile into the frozen Russian Taiga in deep midwinter, ski under floodlights and try a cross country ski tour in Finnish Lapland.

    Closer to home there are some truly off the beaten track adventures in the Cumbrian Lake District, a visit to the famous ‘Small Isles’ of Western Scotland, a hiking trip around the wild west coast of the Isle of Jura to reach the Corryvreckan Whirlpools and an unforgettable multi-active holiday to the North West Highlands.

    There is also a winter holiday in the Cairngorm National Park on which you can learn the essential skills for walking in winter alongside walking the main summits.

    Expressions of interest are also welcomed at this stage for a trip to Greenland in 2014. Guiding and instruction is from John White, with help from Outdoor Photographer and Instructor Dave Willis, local Guides Paddy Cave and Richard Bailey, along with appropriate local assistance where required – for example a Finnish snowmobile guide for the trip into the Russian Taiga.

    Some of these holidays are based on other events run in the past, but this programme features new activities and locations, and upgraded accommodation.

    Check out all the details on the Lakes Challenge website 25 years events link.

  • Arctic Circle race for DebRA

    In March 2012, Duncan Griggs and Marcus Judd are taking part in the Arctic Circle Race, which is held in Greenland.

    The ACR cross country ski race is one of the top 10 most difficult endurance challenges in the World and they have been training for 5 months now, recently completed a roller ski around the Kielder Reservoir which was 26 miles in total.

    Arctic Circle Race in Greenland
    One of the toughest endurance events in the world

    The Arctic Circle Race is 100 miles over three days in freezing temperatures with daily ascents of at least 2000 feet and only one or two skiers form the UK attempt the challenge each year.

    Marcus and Duncan are using the trip to raise money for the charity DebRA who support patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) and their carer’s.

    Epidermolysis Bullosa is a terrible disease that causes the skin to blister and then shear off at the slightest friction.  It affects individuals from birth, causing much pain and suffering, especially infants and children.

    DebRA is a highly specialised charity that works with the NHS to tailor medical care specifically for EB patients.

    It goes without saying that these two gentlemen are looking for your support in the form of sponsorship and any donation will be much appreciated.

    Donations can be made via the Just Giving website

    More Information

    Support Duncan Griggs and Marcus Judd in their Arctic Circle Race for DebRA.

    ACR – Find out more about one of the Worlds’ most difficult endurance challenges.

    DebRA – DebRA is the national charity working on behalf of people in the UK with the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). This site is your first port of call for reliable information on EB whether you or your child has EB, you want to support the charity, or you simply want to find out more.