Climbing Kilimanjaro: why now is the best time to do it.

Mark Pawlak    trekkingholidays     climbing Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro, trekking, trekking holidays, Trekking Kilimanjaro

There’s only a few charity treks that can be achieved by us regular mortals but still demand a determination and preparedness that commands the respect of all, and climbing Kilimanjaro is one of them.

Charity 5 km runs are ‘fun’ and raise a lot of money for good causes but they rarely inspire me to donate. However, climbing Africa’s highest mountain does get me reaching for the coinage.

So, what’s the challenge people are facing when they send you that “Can you sponsor me as I’m climbing Kilimanjaro email”? And is it climbing or trekking Kilimanjaro?

Approach to Kili Image: Flickr/Stig Nygaard

About the mountain

Africa’s top peak is never going to be easy. It’s not Everest, but I’m not a goat – or an experienced mountaineer.

One of the attractions about taking on this mountain is that it is achievable – albeit with a lot of hard work. Brushing 6,000m, it’s well above the clouds and more than 4 times higher than Ben Nevis.

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Skiing in Canada and the Banff Big 3

Mark Pawlak    bestskiholidays     Banff, Canada, ski, Skiing, skiing holiday, Skiing Holidays, skiing in Canada, snowboard, Snowboarding, snowboarding holidays

Booking a skiing holiday you want choices – we’re not talking about aisle or window, but real, on the ground, multiple lift pass choices. And one resort stands out for people skiing in Canada, and it’s Banff.

Mt. Norquay - for Olympians and families

Three resorts within Banff National Park is a good start. But what really appeals is the tri-area lift ticket and free transport from the resort to the ski areas. Choice, it’s all about the choice.  Book a skiing holiday, take all that time off work, travel halfway around the world and the last thing you want is to be faffing about with multiple passes and expensive add-ons.

Banff has almost 8,000 acres of ski-able terrain and routes for all standards. If you’re tempted, here are a few tit-bits on what you’ll be signing up for.

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Trekking in Iceland: Journey to the centre of the earth

Stuart Blackadder    trekkingholidays     glacier, Iceland, Icelandic, Journey to the centre of the earth, trekking, trekking holidays, Trekking in Iceland

Iceland is one of the most geologically exciting locations in the world. With glacial rivers, active volcanoes and enormous mountains, it also offers exciting hiking opportunities. You can expect to find yourself far from civilization on most hikes due to the sparseness of Iceland’s population. This helps create an enormously personal connection with the epic landscapes, one that you will treasure forever.

Trekking in Iceland Photos: Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson

You will have heard rumours about Iceland’s challengingly low temperatures – well it’s in the name – but if you choose to hike in the summer months, you will find the thermometer displaying comfortable daytime averages of 13C.

If you’re tempted to try trekking in Iceland, just be sure to have the appropriate camping gear for some chilly nights! Here’s 10 routes for you to plot.

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This Winter’s Top 10 Snowboarding Destinations

Ana Sandoiu    snowboardingholidays     austria, California, Canada, Finland Japan, Italy, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowboarding in Canada, snowboarding in France, Snowboarding resorts, Switzerland

If these were the seventies, by this time in November you’d be putting on your astrakhan hat and getting ready for snurfing.  But it’s 2011 and bell-bottomed trousers are no longer in fashion… Snowboarding still is though, even if we call it differently! Below you have this winter’s top 10 snowboarding resorts and destinations, as picked by a proper snowboard enthusiast who knows how to do her research. So put on your gear and head to the slopes – it’s time to surf some snow!

Mammoth views Image: Flickr/Perfect Zero

1. Mammoth Mountain, California

Mammoth Mountain is a large ski resort located in Eastern California, along the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It’s known for two things: cheap accommodation and Shaun White. Its world-class parks are exceptionally well maintained, with superpipes, minipipes and one of the few Super-Duper pipes in the world! This is what makes Mammoth Number 1 among the top snowboarding resorts in the world, as well as an excellent location for freestyle riding. And it’s also why top snowboarders such as two-time Winter Olympics gold medalist Shaun White comes to practice here.

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Movember, Moustaches and Motor Bikes

Sophie Nicholson    ash     Alps, climbing, France, Motor cross, Motorbikes, Snowboarding, trials

In a month where men grow moustaches for charity, one blogger finds her own way to mix it with the boys. And with the snow yet to fall, she’s taking on the rough stuff…

The sun may well have shone relentlessly over the past few weeks but there’s no denying that summer is long gone here in the Alps. The sky is still brilliantly blue but the everpresent scent of burning of leaves, the early morning frost on cars and total lack of people anywhere are constant reminders that it’s definitely November.

Gripped - and no tasche

Hmmm, yes November. A strange month indeed. I mean, what really happens in Movember apart from people growing dodgy facial hair for charity? In the climbing world at least November definitely signals a time of transition. Some will just head indoors and immerse themselves in the sweaty, shirtless, self conscious world of the climbing gym. Others will pack away rock shoes and chalk bags, replacing them at the front of kit cupboard shelves with crampons and ice axes as they eagerly await favourable ice climbing temperatures and conditions.

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Do you need custom foot-beds for your ski boots?

Lucy Grewcock    bestskiholidays     boots, custom footbeds, insoles, ski boots ski clothing, ski gear, Skiing, Skiing Holidays, winter equipment

Correctly fitting ski-boots are not particularly comfortable – if you’re wearing a well-cushioned, roomy pair of boots that allow you to wiggle your toes and jiggle your heels up and down, bad news: they’re at least two-sizes too big!

Good footbeds, don't ski without them Image: Flickr/owlhere

In order to protect your ankles, legs and hips from damage, ski-boots should clamp your ankles in place, hold down your heels and stop your foot from moving around in the shell, allowing your feet to effectively guide the rest of your body over the contours of the piste.

However, most of us skid around in ski-boots that are too big , or crank our clips so tightly shut that our toes are crushed and our arches flattened. The result? gnarled nails, aching limbs, numb toes and an early retreat from the piste, at the end of the day.

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The Outdoors Show: its the biggest show on earth!

Mark Pawlak    ash     Adventure Sports, camping, climbing, cycling, Kayaking, MTB, Outdoors Show, travel gear, trekking, Walking

Well, we might be exaggerating a little, but it’s massive! If you are into any of the major outdoor activities then look forward to The Outdoors Show in January – and we’ve got 3 pairs of tickets to give away!

From 12 – 15 January the Excel in London hosts four separate shows all pooled together: The Outdoors Show, the London Bike Show, the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show and the Active Travel Show.

The Outdoors Show has been running for 11 years. This year it’s host to the Finlandia Vodka Travel & Adventure Stage, where adventurers like shipwreck hunter David Mearns will be sharing their exploits, and there’s also as the best of the Banff Mountain Film Festival to watch.

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