Bristol Explorers

Bristol Explorers… in Cardiff

Tori — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:39:08 +0000

We are delighted to announce our 1st event outside of Bristol.

On Thursday 8th July, Bristol Explorers will have it’s first regional drinks event in Cardiff. The awesome Terra Nova Bar have provided an ideal location for the inaugural event in Cardiff Bay from 7pm. There’ll be a free drink for everyone on arrival.

Hear from Tori James, how she got from Pembrokeshire via the north magnetic pole to become the first Welsh woman up Everest! Tori is the youngest British female as well as the first ever Welsh woman to climb Mount Everest. The BBC documentary ‘On Top of the World’ was produced using the video footage which Tori shot whilst climbing Everest.

For mountaineers, climbers, cyclists, sailors, rowers and all with a thirst for adventure. Meet like-minded people, share ideas and inspiration… and be in with a chance to win some outdoor kit!

If you know of anyone who would be interested in coming along and meeting likeminded people, please forward this on to them, it’s an open invite to the expedition and adventure community in Wales!

The event is being managed by Tori James, Sarah Mayer and Maria Leijerstam.

Arctic Diving Talk at Drinks Event on 17th June

BristolExplorers — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:24:43 +0000

Bristol Explorers Drinks will be on Thursday 17th June. The usual mix of planning, chat and inspiration amongst adventurers and explorers throughout the evening plus we’re really excited to present Martin McGrath speaking about his life as a professional diver, working in some of the worlds most remote and dangerous diving locations.

Martin has logged more than 8000 dives in a career that spans more than 25 years. He is a PADI Master Instructor, a BSAC Advanced Instructor as well as being a commercial diver. He has specialty instructor training in more than 16 specialties and he is also a qualified skipper with sea survival and VHF qualifications. He is an emergency first response instructor trainer and scuba technician. Martin has dived throughout the world in locations as diverse as Antarctica, Australia, Scapa Flow, UK, Norway, France, Spain, Sicily, Beirut, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South Africa, Mozambique, Maldives and the Galapagos Islands. He owned his own dive centre in the UK for over 5 years.

Bristol Explorers founder, Belinda Kirk, is currently somewhere along the coast of Great Britain rowing with the SeaGals all-girl team competing against an all boy team. You can track their progress and show your support and donate to the Help for Heroes charity.

As Belinda is away, we are honoured to have Tori James take her place to co-hosting the evening – we’re delighted to announce Tori will be taking Bristol Explorers to Cardiff for the first event outside Bristol on 8th July.

Drinks will be held at the Square Club, Bristol and start from 6.30pm with the talk starting at 7.30pm.

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Post tags: arctic, diving, professional

SeaGals kick off the Virgin GB Row

BristolExplorers — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:54:55 +0000

The SeaGals – the first all-female team to row round GB in the Virgin GB Row started off today.

You can track their progress from the start of the race at 5:23pm today.

The race is in aid of the Help for Heroes charity – please support the team and donate today:

Everest Skills Course 17 – 27 June 2010

Belinda Kirk — Mon, 31 May 2010 19:39:15 +0000

This is a “must” for those with an ambition or interest in the Highest Mountain in the World, Mt Everest 29,035ft.

Everest Skills Course under the direction of Nigel Gifford OBE Frgs (Everester and expedition specialist) and Kenton Cool IFMGA (seven times Everest Summiteer).

ALL INCLUSIVE EXCEPT FLIGHTS & LIFT PASS

Price per person based on 6 participants: £3350
Price per person based on 4 participants: £3896

*****Extra Option to Tandem Parapent of the summit of Mt Blanc******

This course is a great experience in its own right to learn the basics for alpine climbing, but particularity in respect to the bigger Himalaya Giants. I personally am looking to take a team up Baruntse (7200m) & Mera Peak in Oct this year with a view at tackling Everest or another 8000m in 2010.

Described as ‘the firm first footing to climbing Mt Everest’, the course is packed with information and details of all that climbing on Everest involves. Ideal for those with no previous climbing experience as well as those with basic skills. For some it acts a ‘clearing house’ for many of the unknowns, as well as focusing aspirations, imparting first hand knowledge, skills and experience.

If you are interested in taking part, there are currently 6 participants and just 2 places left.
Contact Henry Cookson Adventures on 07785297399 or follow the facebook page.

Here are further details about the course.

All provided by some of the world’s top Everest mountaineers, expedition specialists and guides who have personal experience of the Great Mountain. The course is an adventure in its own right, exciting, exhilarating and fulfilling with an ascent of the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc (15781ft.)

A note regarding the Everest Skills Course. At all times, the schedule has to remain flexible to make the most of local climatic conditions on any given day and to give the participants maximum potential for full involvement at all stages of the course.

June 17

Arrive Geneva Airport. Met on arrival. Transfer to Chamonix.
Settle into Everest Skills accommodation at Chalet Maverik, the centre of learning and operations for the next 9 days.
Clothing and equipment check; and local area familiarisation.
Early evening cocktails with your tutors and mountain guides. Relax in the chalet facilities.

June 18

Breakfast with today’s tutors at the Chalet
AM – Tutorials
- Presentation, with video and stills, on climbing Mt Everest by Kenton Cool or Victor Saunders.
- Followed by ~ An overview of climbing history of Mt Everest. Mountain lore and ethics. Threats, deaths and injury. High altitude “mind games” and physiological challenges. Acute Mountain Sickness and common medical conditions exacerbated by altitude. Frostbite awareness and prevention. Medical and accident evacuation procedures.
- Local lunch.
PM.
- Trek to Orney Hut. Overnight and supper in Hut

June 19

Breakfast at hut and” Alpine start” to return to Chamonix.
AM – Tutorials
- How to live at high altitude and maximise rest and energy. Training for High Altitude, and other preparation techniques. Discussion of cardiovascular stamina training and techniques. Supper at your discretion. Rest and Relax
PM – Tutorials
- Nepali and Sherpa culture. Spiritual beliefs, understanding their impacts and limitations. Nepali Government permits and permissions, liaison officers and officialdom. High altitude nutrition. Eating for success and high altitude. Cooking equipment and methods. Personal and mountain hygiene, viral infections and prevention.
Supper at your discretion. Rest and Relax

June 20

Full Day of instruction on the Mere De Glace, or similar
Learning simple knots for Basic Mountain craft and HA use. Using ice axe and crampons. Practice ice axe and crampons, fixed rope skills with ascenders and brakes. Crevasse crossing and fixing sectional ladders. Mountaineering clothing and equipment systems and introduction to High Altitude clothing and equipment.
Evening at the Chalet
Risk assessment ~formal and informal, liabilities and insurance. Disaster management
Dealing the International Press. Meeting sponsors demands and requirements.

21 June

Tutorials AM
- High altitude medical and first aid skills, Use of Gamow bags, benefits of hyperbaric masks and tents in acclimatisation, Medicinal and supplementary climbing oxygen (cannular or mask?)
Tutorials PM
- Everest climbing tactics. Routines on the mountain. The importance of “critical time objectives”. Meteorology and Everest weather patterns. Dealing the International Press. Mountain communications. External communications. Satellite Broadcasting and equipment. Meeting sponsors demands and requirements.
Final discussions and confirmation of knowledge, questions and answers.

22, 23, 24,25,26 June

Based out of the Chamonix Valley the climbing programme continues to increase basic skills, movement in the mountains, (includes a one day via ferrata excursion) and make an attempt on Mt Blanc summit.

Evening 26 June supper with guides. Presentation of Everest Skills Course Certificates

27 June

Transfers to Geneva airport for onwards travel

Guides (IFMGA)/ Tutors

Kenton Cool (Everest summiteer and Guide)
Victor Saunders (Everest summiteer and Guide)
Stu McDonald (Everest summiteer and Guide)
Rob Caserley Everest summiteer and Guide)
Sean Hudson (Everest summiteer and Guide)
Matt Helliker (technical assistance)

~~~~~~~~

Dr Guy Willet (Summiteer Cho Oyo; High Altitude medicine)
Ted Atkins HA Everest summiteer and oxygen specialist
Nigel Gifford OBE Everest climber and expedition specialist

Accommodation

Chalet Maverick (base of operations)

Chalet Maverick has been recently renovated and located just outside Chamonix centre (Les Bossons). With 4 spacious twin / double bedrooms, the chalet is in a peaceful spot with beautiful views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks. The staff is there to make sure your stay is perfect. A driver service means you’re never more than a phone call away from where you want to be. The chalet has a hot tub, sauna, SKY TV, and wireless internet.

Includes

Transfers as required throughout.
All accommodation and breakfast at chalet.
Tutorials covering topics mentioned
Guiding by IFMGA qualified guides throughout.
Equipment for bivouacking
All training equipment and ropes
Accommodation in alpine huts, as required

Not Included

International airfares
Personal clothing and equipment
Telepherique lift passes
Lunch and supper
Any drinks of an alcoholic nature
Laundry
Any expenditure of a personal nature
Telephone calls

Expedition School – Pyrenees August 20th – 22nd 2010

Belinda Kirk — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:02:51 +0000

The Expedition School is an opportunity to spend 3 days with Mark Kalch and other experts in the adventure playground of the French Pyrenees, learning and putting into practice the skills necessary to undertake your own extreme journey.

Activities over the weekend include white-water rafting, mountain trekking, equipment selection clinic, discussion and planning sessions, sponsorship proposal writing, photography and videography class and very importantly a whole lot of fun! The school aims to encourage discussion, exchange of ideas and deliver practical exercises in a relaxed and inspiring environment. However, it is not a holiday camp! Participants are expected to get involved in discussions, share their own experiences, ask questions, help pack the van, sort kit and generally be part of the team. Sounds a bit like an expedition doesn’t it?
The event takes place in the adventure playground of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region in the south of France, close to the Spanish border. Nearby towns include Biarritz, San Sebastian, Bayonne, Bordeaux, Pau and Toulouse, making for easy access from the UK and all parts of Europe and the US. Big mountains, fast rivers and sweet surf make this part of the world an ideal base to live adventure. Add in to the mix the famous GR10 trekking path and the closing stages of the Tour de France route and it is difficult to ask for much more in a venue.
Throw in prize give-aways from companies like Zeal Optics and Rab (you can win just by getting involved online!), as well as participant-only deals on Suunto watches and it shapes up to be an awesome event!
For further information please visit http://markkalch.com/expeditionschool

Kayak race around Venice

BristolExplorers — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:51:36 +0000

On the 23rd May 2010, Bristol Explorers Ingrid Kvale and Mark Ressel will be paddling 30 kilometres (19 miles) in a double kayak around the canals of Venice, to raise funds for the Devon Air Ambulance. They are taking part in the Vogalonga, a rowing race that was started 35 years ago, and today includes five thousand participants and over one thousand paddle craft of all shapes and sizes from row boats, dragon boats and gondolas to kayaks.

The Vogalonga (which means the “long row”) was first conceived as a protest against the motorboat traffic that was damaging Venice’s buildings through wash and pollution. However, over the years, it has become more of a celebration of paddle craft and sporting challenge with a carnival-like atmosphere.

After a canon is fired from St Mark’s Basin at 9am on the race day, a flotilla of a thousand boats will set off on their long journey across the lagoon to the island of Burano and back. Last year the participants experienced strong winds and rough water, and several boats capsized! Mark and Ingrid are hoping for better weather, but it could still take them as much as 5 hours of solid paddling to complete the race.

Mark has won a number of Surf Ski titles for ocean kayaking, but this will be the longest distance both he and Ingrid have ever paddled in a sea-kayak, and will hopefully be a ‘warm up!’ for some longer international kayak expeditions that they are planning in the future.

If you are interested in sponsoring Ingrid & Mark, check out their website: http://justgiving.com/Vogalonga2010

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Vogalonga, check out the official website: http://www.vogalonga.com/

Mountain Kingdoms – Office Assistant

Belinda Kirk — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:14:29 +0000

Mountain Kingdoms is a specialist tour operator that has been offering trekking holidays for over 23 years.

Steve Berry, our MD, set-up the company, originally as Himalayan Kingdoms, and still runs it today. Over the last 10 years we have increasingly diversified our holidays beyond the Himalaya, and as a result changed our name from Himalayan Kingdoms to Mountain Kingdoms in October 2008. We also now offer Cultural Tours and Trekking Peaks in addition to our core trekking holidays.

We are members of AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators. We have a top AITO sustainable tourism rating, and won their annual award in 2008.

The majority of our business is handled either online or over the telephone. However we encourage potential travellers wishing to visit our offices to discuss their holiday plans. Our recent relocation of offices within Wotton under Edge to Long Street will enable us to potentially develop a “passing trade.” The Cotswold Way follows the length of Long Street and keen walkers are our primary target market.

We have a small team of 12 staff: 4 full-time and 8 part-time and are now seeking to recruit a full-time Office Assistant. Details of this role and responsibilities are provided on the Job Description. To apply for this post please submit a CV and covering letter, outlining why you feel you are suitable and what attributes you could bring to our team.

You can submit your application either by post to Steve Harbert

or alternatively by email to info {at} mountainkingdoms(.)com

The closing date for applications is 4 June 2010 and those selected for interview will be notified no later than 11 June. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

Main Duties:

The Office Assistant will be required to provide day to day administrative support across all areas within Mountain Kingdoms, eg Reservations, Operations, Marketing and Finance. This will include:

	Approx. % of time
1. Recording, filing and archiving client information	20

2. Updating client records on company database

15 3. Processing and despatch of brochure and itinerary enquiries

15 4. Packing and despatch of pre-trip equipment and information to clients. Receiving and processing returns.

15 5. Mailing out post trip client questionnaires and tracking returns

10 6. Photocopying, scanning and printing of client information

5 7. Daily despatch of all company post

5 8. Collation and despatch of ad-hoc promotional mailings

5 9. Additional routine support tasks as required, eg setup for travel shows.

10

Required Skills and Experience:

Essential:

Ability to respond appropriately to a wide range of enquiries
IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, mail merge, and databases
Ability to work on own initiative, and as part of a team
Ability to prioritise & manage multiple priorities

Desirable:

Good communication skills, both written and verbal
Experience of working in an office environment
Confidence
Telephone skills

Responsible to: Steve Harbert – Office Manager

Hours of Work: 0900-1730 Mon-Fri (including one hour for lunch.)

A degree of flexibility with these hours may be possible but core tasks for this role will require the successful applicant to work afternoons and during school holidays

Salary: Between £10k and £12k, depending upon experience

Probation: This post is subject to a three month probationary period.

Term: This post is initially offered on a one year contract.

Expedition Leader Training Course Manager

Belinda Kirk — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:05:29 +0000

Trekforce Expeditions is looking for an experienced Expedition Leader to run their successful Jungle Trainee Expedition Leader programme in Belize.

The successful applicant will work alongside existing in-country Trekforce staff and specialist instructors to deliver an existing 14 week programme. The number of trainees on each programme will normally range from 6-8 people.

The ability to operate in Remote Jungle Environments with skills in jungle survival, river crossings, jungle navigation, outdoor activities as well as experience of coaching and training individuals and managing teams of all ages is essential.

Qualifications in First Aid, Mountain Leading, experience in 4×4 driving and rescue experience are desirable.

For a full job description and to apply contact Joanne Klobuch at joanneklobuch {at} gapforce(.)org.

John’s Marathon des Sables

Belinda Kirk — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:42:57 +0000

John Wilton Davies from Last Great Challenge just succesfully finished the Marathon des Sables

I had hoped to be in Antarctica throughout the winter of 2009/10, returning only a few weeks before I’d need to fly out to Morocco to run 150-odd miles in temperatures some 80 C higher than I was acclimatised to. However, Antarctica was put back by 12 months, and so the MDS, billed as ‘The Hardest footrace of the planet’ became relegated to a training platform to kick-start my expedition fitness program.

This may come across as foolhardy. After all, most MDS competitors see the event as the toughest physical event of their lives, but 60 days manhauling alone on the Southern ice changes one’s perspective. To me, I saw the MDS as ‘only’ a week and, psychologically, if I couldn’t cover 26 miles a day with a lightish backpack, what chance did I have of doing 20 miles a day with a 200 kg sled?

So, as is my way, I found myself 6 weeks away from the MDS, woefully under-prepared but full of confidence. I needed to get two things done urgently. I had to research and buy all my kit, and I really had to do some training.

Training was easiest. I was starting at around the time most serious athletes would be ‘tapering down’ – reducing their training to allow their body to recover before the main event. I managed a couple of long runs (well, long to me – about 18 miles) with a pack before deciding that I’d be better off doing a couple of all-day hikes along the hilly sections of the South West coast path. So that was it, training done.

Gear selection took longer. There is tons of information on the web from specialist ultra-marathon suppliers, ex-competitors, and manufacturers. With no experience of this type of event I was wholly reliant upon others’ expertise and was lucky to have been given time and help by a local ex-competitor. I left for Morocco fully kitted out and generally unaware if my selections were appropriate or not. The first clue arrives when you meet fellow competitors at Gatwick. If no one else has the same kit you’ve got, you start to worry. I’ll comment on the kit selection later.

We flew to Ouarzazate in the Middle of Morocco, before taking a 6 hour coach ride to the back of beyond – an enormous double circle of black tents in the desert looking, for all the world, like the 7^th Cavalry on patrol. Here we joined up with the other 41 countries that had sent competitors for what was to become both the longest, and the hottest, MDS on record.

You can read the rest of Johns incredible account of the desert marathon
at the Last Great Challenge:
Marathon des Sables #2
Marathon des Sables #3
Marathon des Sables #4

BSES Expeditions: Regional Sales Representatives

Belinda Kirk — Sun, 16 May 2010 13:43:21 +0000

BSES is looking to recruit further Regional Sales Representatives across the UK, particularly in London and the North East of England.

For further information and to apply, please see http://www.bses.org.uk/get-involved/Jobs+at+BSES/index.htm.

Deadline for applications: Monday 7th June.