Reel Rock Film Tour 2008

The Reel Rock tour is coming to the UK,

In association with The North Face, The Reel Rock film festival is hitting the UK over the next month or so. It should be a great little get together for anyone interested in Climbing. The festival is to showcase amateur and pro production climbing and adventure videos. It's not just sitting in a room and watching the big screen though, these events are known to be great networking meet and greets for anyone interested in climbing or the outdoors to come down and share their passion with like minded people.

There should be a few decent gear give aways too at the meets and a chance to meet some of the UK's top climbers. It was a big success last year and looks to be a bigger hit this year. I recommend checking it out if you can. I'm going to be trying to get down to the event when it comes to the Climbing Works in Sheffield.

Here's the dates:

The Climbing Works - Sheffield, - Sun 9th November
Glasgow University Mountaineering Club - Glasgow, Thurs 13th November
Durham Climbing Centre - Durham, - Sun 16th November
The Tower Climbing Centre - Leicester - Sun 23rd November

All the events start at 8:30 and tickets are available on the door.


This of course was the first year Reel Rock wanted people to send in their 3 minute films for a competition to win a bunch of Climbing Gear and the chance to see their films featured on the door.

It should be a good night so check it out if you're near any of the event venues.

Or check their website for more details: http://www.reelrocktour.com

That's all from me,

Until next time!

Brandon

Kit up for the Upcoming Ski Season

If we're going to be cold, we might as well have fun doing it.

It's ski season and many, including myself are heading for the slopes in the coming months to try and ignore/push aside the prospect of 'what to buy a loved one for Christmas' because you know and i know that they never help you out. Apparently 'whatever you get will be fine' when we all know that's a bit of a lie. But that's another blog for another time.

Back to the slopes.

Around this time of year is a really good time to pick up a bargain when it comes to Skiing Equipment. It's the start of the season sale for most outdoor companies and GO Outdoors are no different. It's the time of year when the walking boots, the tents get put on the back burner to really hype up the new lines of ski clothing, so why not pick up some sale items before you head for the slopes?

I read on a few climbing and walking forums that some people are struggling to come by sallopettes. Obviously these guys are looking in the wrong places because they're quite regularly available if you know the right places to go.

You'll notice a lot of companies will really be hyping North Face and Berghaus over the next few months, and why not? They make great quality outdoor gear and are really popular among outdoor enthusiasts and skiers alike, but as with anything it pays to shop around. There are some great brands out there such as Dare 2b, Five Seasons and more. My advice would be to get in and seek out the bargains now. Everybody waits for the standard after Christmas sales, or mid-summer sales so you're likely to pick up a little something, something if you beat the crowd.

As well as the sale priced clothing and equipment you're likely to pick up a side deal or two in the process. At GO outdoors we're offering a great ski deal where when you spend over £150 on Columbia Ski wear then you have the chance to get some free ski flights, which with the rising prices of flights right now, could be a god send. It's all to do with Columbia celebrating their 70th Anniversary. This deal hasn't gone live yet and won't till November 1st so you'll have to check back on the website then for more details. Obviously the usual T&C's will apply. Check out Columbia's site for some details.

So for those heading on out to the hills this winter, hopefully you'll have an awesome time - i know i will. It's a lot of people's favourite time of year and this should be one to remember, put the Christmas shopping on hold for a week or two and get out the Ski's or the Snowboard and get wild.

Until next time!

Brandon
www.gooutdoors.co.uk

Mountain Marathon Musings

Amid talks of a credit crunch, a recession and Britney Spears day to day activities i have to wonder whether good old mother nature felt a little....left out. I say that because every time we stop complaining about the weather or our lack of a summer long enough to focus on something else - nature rears it's attention seeking side. Personally i think mother nature just likes the media attention, as seen with her full blown attack on the OMM this weekend.

The vast over-exaggeration from the news today stating that the lake district nearly became a 'morgue' was just the comic relief i needed to cheer me up after all the new equipment i bought for the mountain marathon went unused because for the first time ever it was cancelled due to the weather.

My new North Face Waterproof Jacket was really put to the test this weekend and I'm happy to say that despite the odds it did keep me dry and that's probably why I'm not one of the unfortunate people who apparently left the Lake District with hypothermia this weekend.

I'm disappointed more than anything because this year i went all out. I did a lot more training than previous times, was looking to test in view of reviewing a lot of new equipment and was ready for a tiring but fun weekend. The pocket rocket camping stove will have to remain unreviewed at this point. Setting up my tent in the living room and running on a treadmill for hours ready to settle into some dehydrated food delights and a bag of Romney's fudge just didn't have as much appeal as enduring the rigors and sheer beauty of the Lake District.

I have to say though most of us out there this weekend were blissfully unaware of the epic over-exaggeration the media was making of things to the point of me strolling back in the house a little disappointed and slightly soggy and having to explain to my partner that i hadn't just come from the worlds most disorganized event and England's worst natural disaster as the news would have you believe, but instead I'd come from a well organized, well taken care of event where the organizers had full control and made the right decision to start the marathon and to cancel it when they did. Another great testament to the hard work of the Mountain Rescuers.


Roll on next year i say.

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

It's that time of year again,

Yes our barely visible British Summer has finally given up and decided to turn to Autumn which means that Winter is just around the corner. It's that time of year when Men and Women all over the country, no - the world are looking into their Wardrobe to find that last years Winter Coat just won't do.....

...Well correction, It's mostly women that think that, and most Men are told by their wives, girlfriends or mothers that their Winter coat won't suffice. You find all last years Jacket is good for is a good rummage through the pockets to see what's left; a few coins? maybe something of more worth but more than likely just some fossilised chocolate bar you really wish you hadn't found.

So what do you really need this Winter? You could try a high street shop and join the rest of them shivering at the bus stop but hey, they look the part right? No you need something a little more...substantial. Especially if you enjoy spending more than five minutes outside. The 'outdoor' crowd have had it right for a while now. There are huge range of winter jackets available from those Outdoor shops to choose from and the prices aren't expensive at all.

The big choice really is between 'Down' (Feather insulated) Jackets and 'Synthetic' (plastic fibre insulated) Jackets and both come with a range of pros and cons.

Synthetic Jackets tend to be for the more active person, they aren't quite as warm and allow more 'room to breathe' for the body. So if you're out and about this Winter running, hiking, mountain climbing then maybe a synthetic jacket is the answer especially in areas with large amounts of rainfall.

Down Jackets, although heavier are ideal for keeping warm. Although not entirely waterproof they are resistant to light showers. An ideal material for the cold winter months coming up. These coats keep the warmth locked in so they aren't great for physical activities but if you're shivering out on the football terraces every weekend then maybe a Down Jacket will help you through the freezing months.

Before heading on out though, you should be aware that if you choose to head toward a Down Insulated Jacket then you get what you pay for. There are different grades of 'fill power' which represents the quality of the down insulation. The higher the fill power? The warmer, lighter and more compressible the insulation. Check out below for a bit of information on these 'Fill Power' grades so you know exactly what you're looking for.



If you ask most sales people they will generally be able to help you out.

So this Christmas season when it comes to a Coat or Jacket, why not leave the 'fashion' to the Christmas parties and spend the rest of your Winter warm and dry especially while there are some great deals out there.

That's All from me for now,

Brandon