Successful 10th anniversary challenge

I can report on the successful completion of the 4 English 3000 footers last weekend on the tenth anniversary of the first annual leaders' weekend in 1997. The Saturday walk was up Skiddaw in force 12 (confirmed by anemometer reading!) winds. On Sunday we walked up Scafell Pike via Piers Gill and Scafell via Fox's Tarn. On Monday we climbed Helvellyn via Striding Edge and returned via Swirral Edge and Lanty's Tarn. On Tuesday, we split into two groups, one climbing Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man and the other christening the newly repaired boat "Second Wind". More photos can be seen here.

Everest Trekking Peaks

Just returned from Nepal having completed the Everest Trekking Peaks trek with KE (4 weeks).

Here are my YouTube videoclips from the top of the peaks I climbed:

Gokyo Ri


Pokalde



Kala Patthar


If you want to see more, here is my website page with selected photos. Steph's blog is here.

BBC Proms 19 August 2007

Did you see the proms on Sunday 19 August 2007? If not, you missed a treat. This was truly inspirational. Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. Here are some reviews on the BBC website. Here are some YouTube extracts:

Shostakovich - Symphony Nº 10 2nd movement

The interval discussion

Interview with Gustavo Dudamel

Moncayo - "Huapango"

Márquez - Danzón Nº 2

Bernstein Symphonic Dances (West Side Story) Part I

Bernstein Symphonic Dances (West Side Story) Part II

Bernstein - Symphonic Dances (West Side Story) Part III

Encores in Venezuelan colours

Beacon Fell

Here is a picture of Mum's dog Daisy at the top of Beacon Fell! More photos can be seen here.

Second Wind

"Second Wind" is the name of our boat, chosen because it has been recovered from Coniston Water and repaired, having been vandalised earlier in the year.

Before

After

Krakow

Had a great week in Krakow with Cadence & Continuo. See my photos here.

3000 footers of Wales

I can report the successful completion of the 15 Welsh 3000 footers. My walking log at www.whitecottage.org/walks2007.htm shows some pictures. This was done in 3 days using youth hostels: Snowdon horseshoe, the Glyders and the Carnedds and was a long-standing ambition. More photos can be seen here.

Walking & Trekking

Walked across Scotland Coast to Coast in May/June. For a report, see my webpage here. For all my walks and treks, visit my webpages here (on www.whitecottage.org). This was inspired by the TGO Challenge.

Starting entry

Climbed Blencathra via Sharp Edge on 1 March and then went over Bowscale Fell nearly 10 years after completing the Wainwrights on this fell. More photos can be seen here.