This week we’ve seen the launch of a new Worn Wear ‘recrafted’ scheme by Patagonia, dispatches from a British climbing expedition in Guyana, the public release of an epic ski mountaineering film, and an interesting move by the Faroe Islands tourist board. Read on…
Race To South Pole Begins For Two Brits
Jenny Davis and Wendy Searle are set to begin their epic head-to-head race to the world’s southern extremity this week, with both hoping to set a new solo speed record. Setting off from Hercules Inlet, they’ll need to travel over 700 miles to reach the pole, each trekking on skis solo, unsupported and unassisted.
The British Team Hoping To Set A New Climbing Route To ‘The Lost World’
Leo Houlding’s latest expedition is underway. The UK explorer and his team of specialist climbers are making their way through the dense Guyanan rainforest towards the foot of Mountain Roraima, a 2810m tepui (flat top mountain) which they’re going to attempt to climb via a new route.
“In the climber’s eye there is nothing quite like the prow of Mt Roraima,” says team leader Houlding on Berghaus’s website. “Rising above Guyana’s pristine rainforest like the bow of a giant ship, twice the height of the Eiffel tower and with an approach hill taller than Ben Nevis, it creates its own weather, almost constantly shrouded in cloud. The 50km trek through untracked jungle presents a host of challenges including mosquitos, mud, venomous snakes, but brings with it a vibrancy of life often absent from climbing expeditions in high or cold regions.”
The North Face’s Lhotse Ski Mountaineering Expedition Is Now Free To Watch Online
Climbing Lhotse, that’s no easy feat. What about climbing it and then skiing back down? That’s exactly what Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison did last year. The film documenting their achievement is worth a watch (that’s the full length version above). If you want to discover more of the story behind the expedition check out this interview with Jim and Hilaree over on our sister site Mpora.
Patagonia Opens First Worn Wear Store
Outdoor clothing brand Patagonia has run its Worn Wear second-hand and reconstructed clothing programme for the past two years. Now it’s opened up a unique bricks and mortar store in Boulder, Colorado in response to the growing interest in the scheme.
The store (and online site) offers a selection of used products that the brand has bought back from customers. All of the items are washed, fixed up and checked before being put back on sale. What’s more, with their Recrafted scheme, any items that are beyond repair are disassembled and pieced together to make other one-of-a-kind products. So far, the collection features everything from NanoPuff jackets to vests, pants, and trail packs. Customers who choose to trade in items at the Worn Wear shop will receive credit toward new gear. We’ll have to wait to see whether they decide to bring us a version over in the UK.
Snow Comes Thick & Fast To The Mountains
Last week in this same news column, we reported that snow had arrived in certain areas of the Highlands and in the Lake District. A day later it came in heavy, with most mountainous areas north of Birmingham seeing snowfall. At the time of writing there’s plenty more to come by the looks of it as well.
Faroe Islands ‘Closing For Maintenance’
The Faroe Islands has announced that the nation is going to ‘close for maintenance‘ – from 16-17 April 2020.
It’s not quite as dramatic as it sounds. Some 14 popular tourist sites will be closed to the general public, with projects identified by local municipalities, tourism centres and local villagers. These include Slættaratindur, the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. It’s all part of a move by the Faroe Islands’ tourist board to pave the way for a sustainable future for both the islands themselves and their burgeoning tourism industry.
Although the islands do not currently suffer from overtourism, the fragile natural environment in a few popular tourist locations has supposedly felt the effects of around a 10% growth in visitors over recent years. Over the maintenance period, 100 participants will be enlisted to give their time for free to help maintain and preserve the breathtaking Faroese landscapes and precious natural environment, in return for free accommodation, food and transport on the islands. Read more about the scheme here.
