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getting wims goat 1 26/10/2017

GETTING WIMS GOAT (part I)

Cold Brew Events have been responsible for some of the most innovative and challenging running races in our region over the past few years.  What sets them apart from the rest is the amalgamation of local culture and history, immersed within the challenging and beautiful terrain of our county.  One need only look to their two most recent offerings for confirmation of this: The Duergar A night time half marathon through the Simondside hills, inspired by the Simonside Dwarfs that lend the run its name.  Duergar are said to take... Read More

Hiking on the Canary Islands: All You Need to Know

Thanks to Chantel from Cottages in Northumberland for this piece on the Canary Islands. Image source: Pixabay With millions of visitors each year, the Canary Islands are a popular holiday destination that have so much to offer holidaymakers – including amazing weather, beautiful beaches and mountainous terrain. However, it isn’t just sun worshipers who want to come and enjoy this stunning collection of islands – it’s a popular place for hikers too. From the epic volcanic peaks on Tenerife to Lanzarote’s eerie, lunar landscape, hiking enthusiasts will be rewarded with... Read More

Glentress and the Lost Gloves

Sometimes you just have to go for it, regardless of the weather, although I must admit that the older I get the more I have a preference for fair weather. Anyway Neil, James and I had planned a quick day trip up to Glentress as a welcome change to hitting the bike trails at our more local Hamsterley Forest. The Playpus, Dakine and Osprey bags got a good field test! The forecast wasn’t great and the rain came and went as we drove up through the Borders and under tyre... Read More

A warm welcome back to NORDICA

LD Mountain Centre is seeing a welcome return to our store from the leading ski brand Nordica with a new range of skis and boots to tempt our customers for what we hope is going to be a cold and snowy winter. The iconic speedmachine range is back and as some of you know it’s been around a while but as you would expect from a leading brand these latest models have been updated to include the latest innovations in technology and construction. Nordica Speedmachine 110 With Nordica skis we’ve... Read More

Five Iconic Hikes in the North East

Here’s a piece from friend of LD Mountain Centre, Chantel Stevenson, who works in the tourist industry in Northumberland and the North East at Cottages in Northumberland. Dunstanburgh Castle and a not so peaceful coastline As we head further into summer, the North East is offering up some of the best natural scenery in the British Isles. With breath-taking expanses of peaceful coastline and dense green forests galore, this region proudly boasts some of Europe’s most attractive destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Tranquility at Kielder Water With plenty of adventurous routes... Read More

A Day on Dow

Dow Crag above Coniston is one of, if not the, most accessible big crags in the Lake District with a big mountain atmosphere and many classic multi-pitch trad routes in all grades. The walk from Walna Scar to the crag is pleasant and easy going On a recent visit, having parked on the Walna Scar Road and enjoyed the easy 45 minute walk to Goat’s Water we tackled the inevitable slog up the scree to the foot of A Buttress. In reality the scree slope only takes 10 or 15 minutes... Read More

LD Staff Head for Secret Test Location

Last weekend pretty much the whole staff team from LD headed into the depths of the beautiful Northumberland landscape for some gear testing and “team bonding”! Not a bad spot for the night Many thanks here, to all at Whitley Bay Explorer Scouts, who have maintained the fantastic location above for many years and who agreed to let us use it and also the folks at Prendwick Farm whose land it is on That’s most of the climb done! Loaded up and probably carrying too much Northumberland at its best!... Read More

Rum At Last!

Fine Weather over Rum as we head back to the mainland With two planned trips to Rum abandoned for various reasons over the last couple of years we decided that despite the forecast for strong winds, snow and lightening, to throw caution to the wind and head to the Isle of Rum anyway, accepting the fact that our plans to walk the main ridge might have to be modified. So Sunday afternoon we headed off after work to spend a night at the Independent Hostel in Glencoe before continuing to... Read More

Cheviot and Hedgehope

Wim and Peter dodge the bad weather on Chevoit   The Cheviots are a funny place. ​ Amidst the bogs and the long-backed, muscular undulations that the range compromise, Cheviot looms henge-like and wise. Whilst Hedgehope angularity perches to its flanks, seemingly shifty and distrustful. The geographical equivalent of Dumbledore and Snape. ​ Much like their literary counterparts, Cheviot often promises so much, only to have its esteemed reputation needlessly and maliciously cut short, whilst its true significance is posthumously renovated with retrospective grandeur and wisdom. In this scenario, think... Read More

Nigel Cook’s 50th Year Challenge

Nigel Cook, friend of one of our directors Roddy, has set himself a 50th Year challenge to raise money for the very worthy cause of Willow Burn Hospice in Co. Durham. Here’s how he is getting on. Hills, Hills, Hills and More Bloody Hills The last couple of weeks have had a lot of ups and downs, all in the name of this 2017 challenge. When many people had a relaxing time over Easter, myself and Victoria booked a cottage in Ambleside and set about climbing as many Wainwright peaks... Read More