VOL 02 | ISSUE 01 | JUNE 2017
FREE ENDURO WORLD SERIES
Discover the Austrian Tirol, the Heart of the Alps with British Airways.
In the Austrian Tirol you don’t have to look far to find incredible hikes or breath-taking bike rides. Every region, every valley and every village is a gateway to another mesmerising adventure in the outdoors. For cyclists, the lakes, mountains and valleys that make up the Tirol provide everything from twisting single-track mountain bike routes to scenic half-day cycles. Hikers can take their pick from epic multi-day hikes among the high mountain peaks to lift-assisted walks through alpine pastures. Fly direct to Innsbruck from London Heathrow, twice weekly in the summer. Book your flight, hotel and car package now at ba.com/innsbruck
Seegrube in Innsbruck ŠTirol Werbung / Kathrein Verena
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If you’re super fit and know where you’re going, there’s nothing more enticing than carrying an inflatable SUP up a mountain to enjoy your own private lake. Even if you’re not, there are lots of Swiss lakes you can reach easily where your SUP awaits.
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THIS MONTH IN
PADDLING IN THE SHADOW OF MOUNTAINS
THE ULTIMATE SUMMER MOUNTAIN LOCATION Is the Austrian Tirol the ultimate summer mountain destination? With stunning scenery, great accommodation options and amazing leisure activities ranging from an easy cable car ride to a mountain top to the fastest adrenaline sports, it just may be.
LTMOUNTAINS @LTMOUNTAINS LTMOUNTAINS LOVETHEMOUNTAINS.CO.UK
STACK CLIMBING IN THE ORKNEY ISLANDS The Orkney Islands have a reputation for their coastal sea stacks – towers of rock left by erosion a little way from the islands’ coast. Most of us are happy just to get to look at them, but our writer felt he needed to sail out and climb up them.
Discover the Austrian Tirol Book your flight, hotel and car package now at ba.com/innsbruck
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050 EPIC DESTINATIONS SIX THRILLING LOCATIONS Our planet is filled with amazing destinations just waiting for you to explore. Here’s a look at six of our favourites, some or all of which you may not have
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considered before!
SUMMER GEAR GUIDE 055–061 Our regular eclectic collection of the best and the latest gear for anyone and everyone who wants to get active in the mountains this spring, summer and autumn is featured in our seven-page boot room selection.
EDITOR PATRICK THORNE Greetings and welcome to our 2017 edition of Love The Mountains, celebrating all things action sports on a slope… and even now on water contained by several slopes! This year we’ve seen the rise and rise of e-biking, SUP’ing (read on if you’ve so far missed out on this amazing water board activity) and the unstoppable growth of mountain biking in the mountains, and we’re choc full of news and
FIVE REASONS TO VISIT MONTANA | USA
articles on the places to go to see it, try it and watch the
Team
best in the world excel at it – whatever your chosen activity. We’ve got articles from enthusiastic amateurs who like to jump out of planes or hike for eight hours up a mountain
Montana is such an amazing place and one of the last
carrying an inflatable board on their back in order to SUP
American wildernesses to be settled you probably don’t feel you need five reasons (or excuses) to go there, but here they are anyway, and we’ve got a bit of a film theme going.
on a mountain lake no one else can get to. We’ve also got
EDITORIAL TEAM
interviews with well established professionals who have reached the very top in their sport of choice and have lots
PUBLISHER
Dominic Killinger
SUB EDITORS
dom@inthesnow.com
Nick Jones Marion Adams
COMPETITION 054
EDITOR
CONTRIBUTORS
LIFE IN PICS LAKE TAHOE 014
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
INTERVIEWS 016/026/062 ENDURO WORLD SERIES 012
Patrick Thorne
patrick@inthesnow.com
Debbie Gabriel
debbie@inthesnow.com
Anne Powys-Keck Kate Ball Thomas Oschwald Nicholas Altmaier Alan Weatherill
SALES & CONTENT MANAGER
EQUIPMENT BY
Anne Powys-Keck
Ellis Brigham
anne@lovethemountains.co.uk
ellis-brigham.com
PICTURE EDITOR
DESIGN BY
anne@lovethemountains.co.uk
tom@rocketbase.co.uk
Anne Powys-Keck
Rocket Base
© Copyright 2017
of advice to give on how to get where they are, or just have
Printed in the UK.
fun trying. So you’re bound to feel inspired to give it a try,
No part of this publication may be copied, photocopied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any way or means, either by recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers in writing.
and who knows where that could lead you? At Love The Mountains we’re also all about the best places to go for the most awe inspiring mountain locations on earth. It’s up to you whether you spend a while just looking
InTheSnow Ltd The Snow Studio, Kings Lane, Bucks, HP16 0QY
or just whizz off down, taking in the view as you go.
+44 (0)1494 862 423 dom@inthesnow.com inthesnow.com
most inspiring locations on earth or our destination features
Check out our Epic Destinations feature for some of the on Austria, Italian mountain lakes and plenty of other perfect places around the planet. Love The Mountains also has a Gear Guide from popular retailer Ellis Brigham, where you’ll find some of the coolest and best new must-have gear for 2017 – be it the latest
View from Seegrube mountain onto Innsbruck ©Tirol Werbung / Sandbichler Peter
fashion or the latest tech, you should be sure to take a look. But whatever you do, wherever you go and whatever you wear and take with you, here’s wishing you the most epic 2017 in the mountains, enjoy!
patrick@inthesnow.com
005 // JUN17
ALL IMAGES: ROMINA AMATO / RED BULL CONTENT POOL
G N I V I D F F R I U L C RLD TO WO URNS T E R 2017 R O F FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
Red Bull Cliff Diving is back with six global stops in a wide-open championship. Multiple hopefuls for the men’s title, a wildcardgone-champion as title-defender in the women’s and six tough-andtesting competitions to outperform the finest cliff divers – the fight for glory in the World Series’ ninth season is arguably the most unpredictable to date.
of Portugal’s Azores island of São Miguel, where the athletes dive straight from the volcanic cliffs. In midJuly, the athletes have to walk through a private living room to reach the platforms atop the Adriatic Sea in Polignano a Mare in the very south of Italy. After a summer break, the World Series returns to Texas and the visual feast of two towering cliffs called Hell’s Gate at Possum Kingdom Lake in September. From this massive water reservoir in the USA, the penultimate stop awaits the athletes with the chilly waters below Stari Most, the old bridge of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where diving from great
Three seconds of acrobatic free fall at venues ranging
heights has been a tradition for centuries. October
from natural wonders and visual feasts to historic sites
takes the cliff-diving elite to completely new grounds
and unknown grounds will push the boundaries of this
in southern Chile. During the first-ever World Series
rapidly progressing sport again in 2017.
competition at the Riñinahue waterfall, surrounded by
Beginning in June, this pure extreme sport will hit new
snow-capped volcanoes, the King Kahekili Trophy will
as well as proven waters across Europe and North
be awarded to the 2017 champions.
America before crowning two new champions at an
The 2017 season might become the most competitive
original location in South America in October.
one in the history of Red Bull Cliff Diving, after last year raised the bar with multiple winners in the men’s
2017 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Calendar
division. Although six-time champion Gary Hunt from
24 June – Inis Mór, Ireland
season. Competition is expected mainly from Mexico’s
9 July – São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
“ripping machine” Jonathan Paredes, who used
23 July – Polignano a Mare, Italy
his fine diving technique to regularly rip his entries
3 September – Texas, USA
and finish runner-up in 2016, as well as Andy Jones,
16 September – Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
from the USA, whose outstanding aerial awareness
21 October – Lago Ranco, Chile
helped him win the Series’ first-ever night event last
England is the one to catch, it’s all up for grabs this
October and complete the overall podium. Meanwhile, New to the tour this year is Chile’s Lago Ranco, where
former Russian World Series champion and 11-time
the 2017 season concludes with the grand final. But
event winner Artem Silchenko is forced into wildcard
before the divers get to experience this new stop, the
status after a roller-coaster 2016 season and will
world-class athletes of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World
demonstrate his talent once more as an invitee.
Series launch themselves from heights of 27m (men)
However, even a wildcard can take the crown, as
and 21m (women), reaching speeds of up to 85kph in
proven by Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland, who ended
the countries of Ireland, Portugal, Italy, the USA, and
her debut season with five successes in seven
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
competitions, wrapping up the 2016 Red Bull Cliff
The season’s first dives from nearly three times the
Diving Women’s World Series title. With four dives
height of the Olympic platform take place surrounded
per competition as compared to three up to now, the
by Irish wilderness at the fabled “Serpent’s Lair” on
women’s division is expected to raise the standards
the Aran Islands’ Inis Mór. From the near-perfect
in its fourth fully fledged season and will see a
rectangle on the edges of Europe, the World Series
comeback of Germany’s exceptional diver Anna Bader
travels on to a real classic – the phenomenal rocks
after her baby-break.
007 // JUN17
RIDE THE COAST TO CAPE TOWN Discover Adventure has launched 18 new trips for 2017, with one proving particularly popular with returning cyclists. A large number of Euro cycle fans are planning to up the ante with the new Ride the Coast to Cape Town 10-day trip, which takes in the famous Garden Route, passing sweeping beaches, vineyards, indigenous bush and forested mountain slopes. Finishing at Gordon’s Bay, you can admire vistas reaching across to Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope. discoveradventure.com
SHAMPOO IN BAR FORM Adventure travel and a little bottle of shampoo don’t mix, so a range of eight natural shampoo bars from Amphora Aromatics could be the answer. The bars pack a botanical punch of solid nourishment to give all hair types a natural boost and include various cocktail mixes of Frankincense, Rose and Argan, Lavender, Rosemary, Avocado, Cinnamon,
EXPLORE YOUR WAY!
Peppermint and Bergamot. Each bar gives twice as
Italy’s Alta Badia region have launched a new way of experiencing the beauty of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage, through sport, well-being and nature this summer.
new Explore Your Way initiative.
is based on activities like trail
The new project includes all the
running, geocaching, orienteering
action-packed sports activities that
and speed-hiking, while the “rock
you can enjoy between 1,500m
your body” category includes
and 3,000m during summer with a
trekking, climbing, free climbing and
large number of guided activities,
vie ferrate. The “bike” category is
offered each week as part of
dedicated to mountain bike fans and
The Pays des Ecrins is an unmissable landmark
Plenty of positive emotion and
the programme.
includes bike touring, freeriding and
for white-water sports in France. Situated in the
outdoor adrenaline will be available
Activities that mountain lovers can
enduro. Finally the “flying” category
Hautes-Alpes, the region’s torrents and rivers
through trekking, hiking, free
choose from, according to their
is dedicated to those who love pure
The 2017 Mountainboard World Championships
allow for a varied range of water-based sports.
climbing, bike touring, paragliding
interests, are divided into four
adrenaline, with paragliding, hang
will be held in Venette, France (an hour away
Anyone can try rafting, airboating, white-water
and geocaching with the area’s
types. The “nature gym” category
gliding and slacklining.
from Paris), from 13 to 15 July.
many washes as a 250ml bottle of liquid shampoo and costs £5.95. aaskincare.co.uk
THE WHITE WATERS OF THE PAYS DES ECRINS
MOUNTAINBOARD CHAMPS TO FRANCE
swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding
Full details of the event are yet to be released,
and canoe rafting, and on 24–25 June the
but the organisers promise the Championships
French white-water swimming championships
will include both Boardercross and Freestyle
will be staged here. paysdesecrins.com
competitions. The first known mountainboard was patented in 1989, and mountainboarding,
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS HALF OF TOP 10
also known as dirt boarding, off-road boarding,
POUND RISES IN VALUE
and all-terrain boarding (ATB), is a wellestablished if little-known action sport, derived from snowboarding.
Dutch company TravelBird have checked out the
Mountainboarders ride specifically designed
most #Hashtagged tourist attractions on Instagram
boardercross tracks, slopestyle parks, grass
and found that half the top 10 most hashtagged
hills, woodlands, gravel tracks, BMX courses, mountain bike trails and down the slopes of ski
were natural attractions. Although Big Ben topped the list by some distance with 2,561,617
resorts in the summer. It is this ability to ride such
tags, followed by Buckingham Palace, Anfield
a variety of terrain that makes mountainboarding
and Stonehenge, most of the remainder were all scenic views in the following order: New Forest, Snowdonia, Edinburgh Castle, Lake Windermere,
“GO DIRTY OR GO HOME” IN FIJI
different from other board sports. It’s possible to learn mountain boarding at locations in the UK and further afield including at The Mountain Boarding Centre (MBC), which is
Glen Coe and finally the Seven Sisters. Fiji has long been known as an idyllic
to get your heart racing, all available
and a wash in the hot springs!
designed to accommodate a variety of mountain
tropical land of tranquillity, but the
in one place. From zip lining to shark
Fiji also has an endless amount
boarding disciplines such as freestyle, boardercross
famous idyll in the South Pacific is
diving, tubing to kayaking, surfing to
of secret rivers, canyons and
and free-riding at all levels of competence.
now promoting itself as a destination
four-wheel driving – it is a must-visit
waterfalls waiting for the intrepid
The UK will also see the return of the popular
offering an array of eclectic, exciting
destination for the adrenaline junkie!
traveller to discover. Shrouded in
national championships six weeks later featuring
and unique adrenaline-pumping
Options include the “Go dirty or go
lush rainforest, fed by countless
BoarderX, Downhill and Freestyle contests at
Mountains of Slovakia, with demanding walking
activities to suit the very bravest –
home” quad biking tour described
waterfalls and protected by
Hereford Board and Bike Park on 26–28 August.
in nature reserves which are normally off-limits
and slightly intrigued – thrill seeker.
as a “totally mud-filled experience”
challenging rapids, Upper Navua
brdsports.co.uk/world-mountainboard-
to the public, this September. Participants will
Pacific Harbour in Viti Levu is known
as you journey through the Sleeping
River Rafting from Rivers Fiji offers
championships.com/atbauk.org
follow tracks and trails (rather than waiting in
as the adventure capital of Fiji due
Giant Mountain Range up to the Fiji
rafting at its best.
to the ridiculous amount of activities
mud pools for some mud therapy
riversfiji.com/rafting/upper-navua
WALKING WITH BEARS Walks Worldwide are offering the opportunity to track European Brown Bears in the Tatra
hides) through the bear’s natural habitat with an experienced Park Ranger, learning to identify the traces of bears from scratching posts, to dung and footprints. walksworldwide.com
@LTMOUNTAINS
REMARKABLE MOUNTAIN HOTEL OPENS IN OMAN
DINNER IN THE SKY ABOVE ZAGREB
There’s a preconception that countries in the Middle East are fairly
Most of the one million plus visitors who came to Zagreb in
flat, hot, sandy nations, but in fact several have their own high
Croatia (billed as Europe’s newest capital city) last year explored
mountain terrain, including Oman, where a remarkable new resort
on foot or by other “ground” methods including Segway tours
hotel has just opened for mountain lovers. It’s perched over 2,000m
and cycle tours. Zagreb’s very own mountain, Medvednica, is
above sea level on the curving rim of a great canyon in Jabal Al
easily reached by local tram and cable car. The highest peak is
Akhdar, Arabic for “The Green Mountain”, a towering massif on the
1,035m at Sljeme, from where there are fabulous views.
Sultanate of Oman’s vast Saiq Plateau, an area that had long been
One very unusual way to see the city is by booking a seat at the
considered completely inaccessible.
amazing “flying kitchen”, which first came to Zagreb in 2014 and
The luxury resort is located on a 66,000 m² cliff-edge plot and
is now back between 22 and 26 June. The eclectic restaurant is
includes 115 rooms and villas, six restaurants and lounges, a
suspended by a special crane some 50m above Zagreb, and top
signature spa and recreation facilities. For active adventurers,
chefs from across Croatia prepare special menus for a maximum
activities on offer include mountain biking and guided mountain
of 22 diners (dinnerinthesky.com.hr). Other opportunities include
hiking. For families, there’s a Kids Club and the Jabal Teens Club,
hot air ballooning, with early-morning collection from your hotel
and for everyone there’s a recreation centre, tennis court and
and a champagne breakfast or brunch (baloni.hr).
fitness centre.
Light aircraft flights and parachute freefalls are also available. infozagreb.hr
PARAGLIDING WORLD CUP ANNOUNCES 2017 CIRCUIT The Paragliding World Cup has announced its 2017 schedule with five competitions to be staged from May to October with competitors taking off from mountain locations in Europe and South America, each chosen for their challenge and opportunities for the world’s best paragliders.
the latter three are outside the scope of the
into these so that the pilot flies a “virtual” course
Paragliding World Cup.
around the sky.
The most similar sport to paraglider racing is
The World Cup kicks off in France with the
yacht racing where boats race around a course
Coeur de Savoie competition staged during
marked by a number of floating buoys in the sea.
a weather window from 20 to 27 May then
Of course, it’s not possible to put buoys in the
moving to Serbia from 17 to 24 June and
air, so the racing is done around a number
Switzerland from 5 to 12 August. In the autumn,
of “turnpoints”. These were originally fixed
the contest crosses the Atlantic for the two final
There are several forms of paragliding
points on the ground, but modern paraglider
stages; from 2 to 9 September, it’s in Brazil and
competition including racing, acrobatic flying,
racing now uses special GPS-enabled flight
then it winds up in Ecuador from 28 October to
accuracy of landing and open distance, but
instruments, and the turnpoints are programmed
4 November. pwca.org
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09 // JUN17
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SEA STA C K CLIMBING IN THE ORKNEY ISLANDS
@LTMOUNTAINS
N ic o l as A lt m a i e r was a m e m b er of a t ea m o f G e r m a n c l i mb e rs v is i t ing t he Or kn ey is l a n d of Hoy, w i t h t he a im o f c l i mb i ng t he in fa mo us s ea stac k, t he O l d M a n of Hoy.
W
for putting ourselves in such testing scenarios.
the grassy gully until the guys came over. The last
day: there was no wind, it was cloudy and yet we still
Between Rackwick and the Old Man of Hoy, a stream
60 metres were overhanging, and the father hung
couldn’t get ourselves out the door. The infamous
crashed over the cliffs into the sea and we discovered
horizontally until banana-shaped in his harness
midges had the island under control. Luckily we had a
a route right next to it. I racked up and got stuck in to
construction. You didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
cottage with a fridge and a kitchen, so we could drink
this new line. Beautiful, slightly overhanging climbing
Ten feet above the ground, a rope that one of the two
all day, sleep, cook, drink, eat, read, drink.
on good jugs. The last quarter of the route was
sons was using as a backup from above wrapped itself
Still without wind, we decided to go back to the Old
interrupted by a wet grass band with a spitting fulmar
around the rigid stem of a cam. With every inch the
Man the next day, this time on the Original Route and in
– a kind of sea bird. This was the first time we had had
father abseiled, the cam kept digging into the son’s
the best weather, with whales and dolphins swimming
to deal with these animals while climbing, and we were
shinbone. He screamed like a pig and we couldn’t
along the coast – a paradise setting.
warmly greeted with half-digested fish. I gave the route
help from the ground. Somehow, he managed to free
We left Hoy and returned to the Mainland: direct to
the name Hitchcock, E3 6a.
himself, and the father landed between the breaking
Yesnaby, back to the wild west coast and to our last
The next day we would take on the Old Man of Hoy.
surf below. Back at the entrance we waited until the
sea stack, the famous Castle of Yesnaby. We expected
However, the route we had originally planned – the
three guys had mastered the grass slope, and looked
the hottest day of this year’s Scottish summer, no cloud
e travelled 19 hours by car, plane and ferry to reach
Original Route – was already occupied by a team. One of
forward to our well-deserved beer!
in the sky, perfect conditions. We arrived at high tide
the Mainland – the largest of the Orkney Islands.
the climbers was hanging freely in an overhang and wasn’t
The next day we drove to the south of Hoy. Our goal
and the sea was too wild to even think about swimming
Incredibly, for the same time and cost we could have
moving upwards. For over an hour, his partners tried to get
was the Needle – a 60-metre-high swaying pin in the
to the Castle.
quite comfortably flown to Miami Beach, but we didn’t
him up to the second belay. We opted for the route A Few
sea, which has probably not been repeated since
The cliffs and routes around it looked so spectacular
want to go there!
Dollars More across the northern side of the Old Man.
1990. On the south-west coast of Hoy we followed
that it did not take long for me to abseil over the cliffs
Early the next morning, we went by ferry to the island of
A steep slope with an upholstery of wet grass led us
the road through the moorland. Scruffy sheep and
with my gear. The starting point was in or just above
Hoy and pitched our basecamp in Rackwick, on the Hoy
down where one wrong-footing or a slip on loose earth
attacking robbers – the Bonxies (the local name for
the water, and we got wet climbing shoes and trousers.
coastline. In the first few days, Hoy greeted us with a lot
and you would fall the remaining distance down the cliffs.
huge great skua, more sea birds, these preferring to
The fact that the seals were now bobbing almost at eye
of sunshine and a light breeze – perfect conditions to
The route was slightly sandy with a few seagulls, but
fly at your head rather than spit at you like fulmars) –
level made the experience extra exciting.
get used to the climbing and peculiarities of the area.
standing safely on the belay watching the seals swimming
accompanied us along the way.
The routes we climbed here became our hardest of
The climbs and descents were more complicated than
and diving calmed the nerves again for the next pitch.
After two hours of painstaking approach, we saw the
the whole trip. The best rock quality so far, combined
those we experienced in the Hebrides. During our last
One ropelength from the summit, we reached the
Needle appearing off the coast and we were already
with our intense motivation to give it our all again
trip, we rarely had to gather or dig rocks to descend
party on the Original Route – two guys from Sheffield,
preparing for the swim. According to the first ascent
today, resulted in our hardest route yet in the British
over the cliffs. Keen to get going, we drove to the sea
who had eventually brought their father (beer belly,
description by Mick Fowler and his team, we should
Isles: Dragonhead, E6 6b on our first attempt. In our
and climbed the first easy routes we could reach.
> 120kg) up onto the summit using every trick in the
first abseil 60m below onto a deep platform and then
eagerness to climb we noticed late in the afternoon
On the Orkney Islands, as with the Hebrides, the routes
book over eight hours. With loud laughter, one of the
swim to the start. The abseil stance, however, was just
that it was now low tide and that the sea had calmed
are climbed exclusively in traditional style. Cams of all
sons claimed that his father had never used a harness
a rusted old tent peg in the steep grass of the cliff. One
down. We had a two-hour window for the Castle. If we
sizes and shapes, slings, nuts, microstoppers, helmets
before and hence didn’t realise the need for a chest
wrong step and we would have taken a more direct
wanted to climb it this year, we had to climb it “quick
and nerves of steel are always a necessity. Of course,
harness. I couldn’t believe it, especially since the
descent. The Needle itself was populated by countless
and dirty”. That meant for us no Tyrolean, no change
in the most difficult sections, the required cam, nut or
wind was getting fresher. As the father–son party was
seagulls and did not look very inviting judging by the
of clothes, no towel, no dry equipment, no chalk.
microstopper has always already been placed a few
blocking the abseil, we had to spend almost two hours
rock quality either – after an hour of arguing for and
Both of us would swim to the entrance, get out of the
metres below or is incorporated into the belay – then
on top of the Old Man. The wind had grown so strong
against, we decided against the ascent of the Needle.
water, briefly let the wind dry us and then climb up. A
the nerves and forearms are really in demand.
that we couldn’t hear ourselves speak and we just
No lump of rock in the world is worth taking too high
pleasure that is rarely possible – conditions just like
We know what to expect, but for us it’s our third year
wanted to go down. We spoke to the English guy and
a risk. The mood wasn’t pleasant; a stupidly long
Majorca deep-water soloing – only with Camalots and
in a row in Britain – we are actively looking for these
set up a descent.
approach and then no climbing – crap! The alternative
a rope. What a day – the crowning conclusion of a
situations, even if at the same time we end up cursing
The result was that we had to wait another hour in
route also turned out to be not at all worthwhile. Rest
great time on Orkney.
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
011 // JUN17
Back Bigger AND Better After bursting onto the international mountain biking scene in 2013, the Enduro World Series (EWS) is back for its fifth year.
first and last place. This unique format ensures there is no such thing as a typical Enduro World Series race – from two-day events among high Alpine passes in the Rocky Mountains to one-day races among Ireland’s rolling hills. The series has already travelled all over the globe
012 // JUN17
012 // JUN17
Enduro is a relatively new race discipline that
in the pursuit not only of seeking out the world’s
developed as a way of replicating how most
best trails but also of linking together the world’s
mountain bikers spend their rides – essentially, riding
most amazing mountain bike communities, visiting
up the trails so you can then race back down them.
everywhere from the remote Chilean peninsulas and
The ethos of the Enduro World Series is simple – to
the high Andes of Argentina to the wilds of Tasmania
find the best all-round mountain biker on the planet.
and the shimmering shores of the Mediterranean via
The series scours the globe for the world’s best trails,
the Italian Riviera.
pitting riders against the clock, the elements and
Chris Ball, Managing Director of the Enduro
each other. Combining competition with adventure
World Series, thinks the locations help keep the
and exploration, each course is divided into a
series exciting.
number of Liaison and Special Stages. Riders must
“The EWS is a truly global series; we want the travel
race individually and against the clock on every
and adventure aspect to be as much a part of the
Special Stage. Riders then use the Liaison Stages,
experience as the racing itself and in the past few
which vary between long, steep climbs in the saddle
years we’ve travelled to some amazing locations –
and chairlifts, to get to the next Special Stage in a
some well known, and some that were a bit more off
pre-set time. The rider with the lowest cumulative
the beaten track, such as the tiny village of Ainsa in
time on all Special Stages is the winner.
the Spanish Pyrenees. But they all have one thing in
One of the standout features of the series is that all
common: exceptional trail networks.
riders (male, female, amateur and professional) ride
“We’ve been blown away by the growth of the EWS.
the exact same course on the same day – a first for
What has taken us by surprise is the number of
international mountain biking competition. And all
spectators we get now – one of the main criticisms
riders – both amateur and professional – must be
we used to hear was that enduro couldn’t be
completely self-sufficient out on course, managing
spectator friendly because of the distances involved.
their own equipment, food and fatigue. This extra
That’s not the case – we get huge crowds now who
element of difficulty creates unbelievably exciting
come to watch the race and then have some fun riding
racing – one puncture can be the difference between
the trails once the event is over – it’s brilliant to see.”
ENDUROWORLDSERIES.COM
ALL PICS: ENDURO WORLD SERIES
Enduro World Series
AT THE GATES OF CHAMONIX
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CHRIS BARTKOWSKI
RICH AURORA MATTHEW PALMER MATTHEW PALMER
CHRIS BARTKOWSKI
LIFE IN PICS KAYAK OR PADDLEBOARD OVER CRYSTAL WATERS On a perfect day, you can peer as deep as 21m down into the glacier-fed depths of Lake Tahoe from paddleboard or kayak. Plan on spending a morning atop the lake, when the winds are still low, and the lake is at its smoothest. As late-summer mornings can be chilly, it’s never a bad idea to bring along a wetsuit. For a full list of paddle shops and points of interest, check out the Lake Tahoe Water Trail.
NORTH LAKE TAHOE HIKING TRAILS The best North Lake Tahoe hiking trails range from easy strolls to steep switchbacks leading into the clouds. Whether you’re looking for the forest around Tahoe City or the waterfalls of Shirley Canyon, find the best North Lake Tahoe hiking trails and trail descriptions.
MOUNTAIN BIKING As the heat begins to subside, the late summer months and early fall are ideal to break a sweat on one of the many mountain biking trails in the Sierras. There tends to be less traffic along the trail, and changing aspens add a tranquil element to your ride.
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VISITINGLAKETAHOE.COM
WORLD’S TOUGHEST ONE-DAY CYCLE RACE
GIRLS-ONLY ALPINE MOUNTAIN ESCAPES
FOUR DAYS, FOUR LIFECHANGING EXPERIENCES
On 26 August 2017, what is being billed as the world’s toughest one-
An organisation that specialises in natural retreats for women in
A company called IGO Adventures, which is famous for organising
day cycle race for pros will be held in Austria’s Ötztal Valley, the Pro
the French Alps has unveiled its programme for summer 2017.
uniquely structured extreme expedition races in the form of four-day, four-
Ötztaler 5500.
“Make the most of the mountains and treat yourself to some fresh
discipline life-changing challenges in some of the world’s most remote
UCI, the International Cycling Union, has been thinking about an
air and magical panoramic views … that’s our plan for tackling
and spectacular wildernesses, has announced its races for 2017. This new
international cycling race for professionals in addition to the already
summer,” said a Manalaya spokesperson.
expedition series will take place across three continents and include the
existing cycle marathons for amateur sportsmen and women and now
The organisation brings together yoga and dance teachers,
launch of two new events: W114° in Montana and NW05° in Morocco.
the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon will be it.
masseurs, relaxation therapists, life coaches, ayurvedic therapists …
IGO is the brainchild of Bobby Melville, inspired by his 48-day voyage
Ernst Lorenzi, head of the OC and initiator, explains: “One day before
all united by a shared passion for the smooth and peaceful running
rowing across the Atlantic Ocean to win the Talisker Whisky Atlantic
4,000 amateur sport fans take part in the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon,
of mind and body letting their guests enjoy their holiday so that
Challenge. Over 100 of the world’s leading adventurers and athletes were
the 2017 “Pro Ötztaler 5500” will be scheduled as a pro cycle race.
they can really relax in the very special environment of the French
consulted during the creation of IGO, and their experiences were distilled
International top cyclists of the world’s most renowned teams conquer
Alps. The aim is to provide a guaranteed way to switch off!
to form the unique IGO DNA which inspires every event – Challenge,
exactly the same race course as the amateur teams one day later. A
Manalaya works with Copines de Voyage, an organisation that
Wilderness, Diversity, Camaraderie and Philanthropy. The four disciplines in
great challenge for everyone in the true sense of the word.”
brings together young women who share the same desire to
each “quadrathon” vary from race to race but swimming, mountain running,
The race routes of both the “Pro Ötztaler 5500” and the Ötztaler Cycle
travel, for girls-only breaks.
kayaking, downhill and cross country skiing, orienteering and even fat
Marathon are sure to attract the attention of the professional cycling elite.
Options include a week of yoga, relaxation therapy and gentle
biking can be involved depending on which race you choose. The 2017
A competition comprising 238km and 5,500m of altitude gain has never
hiking around Lac Bleu and a week of relaxation therapy and
Quadrathons include the Montana race from 12 to 20 August travelling
been part of the UCI Series before.
meditation to increase your lung capacity and help you train
through the Flathead National Forest and the Flathead River, regarded as
Besides challenge there’s also beauty as the race course winds its way
mentally and physically, hiking around Petit Mont Blanc, Col du
one of the most stunning kayaking stretches in North America. Then from
through picture-book side valleys in Austria’s Tirol and Italy’s South Tyrol.
Fruit. Holidays cost from €750pp (around £645pp). manalaya.fr/en
1 to 8 October the NW05° quadrathlon takes place near Marrakech. The
The route also takes in the same switchbacking mountain road with 66
expedition passes through the arid Agafay Desert and heads up into the
turns that featured in the last Bond movie, Spectre.
steep African snow-capped Atlas Mountain Range. igoadventures.com
MANON CARPENTER DOWNHILL MTB PRO
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
PLONS RACING
K
Manon Rose Carpenter, 24, is a pro downhill mountain bike racer, riding for Radon Factory Racing, and British Champion, Junior World Champion and double World Champion at Elite level. Great Britain is dominating success at World Cup level in this sport, and Manon is one of those riders making it happen.
to work from, so I want to achieve something worth
I love getting a group of girls together and riding
What’s the atmosphere like at a World Cup event?
writing home about!
for fun, encouraging others to try something new.
Just pure excitement and enthusiasm. Everyone who
I’ve been involved in a couple of days like this and
is there loves MTB and follows all the characters
Who are your role models?
have really enjoyed it, so coaching is definitely
within the race circuit, so they really care about the
When I was younger, I would always hear about
something I’d like to get involved in, along with
racing. Fans come with all sorts of outfits, banners
Anne-Caro, a female MTBer who dominated across
organising women’s events. I would push sport
and horns and have a great time!
many bike disciplines – 4x, dual slalom, downhill and
in schools as much as I could and offer a variety
BMX. It caught my attention that she was successful
of sports as the typical ones don’t always suit
What’s your idea of the ultimate road trip?
in any discipline she tried, and more recently she
everyone. I think clubs are really important to give
If money is no obstacle, then I would go
has had success at the Enduro MTB World Series.
young people a way to get involved and participate
everywhere! I often travel with a lot of items (big
She’s still a really fast and stylish rider despite some
in sport with others of a similar age.
kit bag, one to three bike bags), so I would love to
What is your goal for 2017?
serious illnesses in recent years, an all-round legend!
I’ve been working hard this winter to recover from an
Now I follow many female athletes across different
Favourite World Cup venue?
boyfriend, just travelling light at some point. But if
injury and enjoying time on the bike, so I just want
extreme sports – snow, surf, bike and motocross.
Vallnord, in Andorra. It’s deep in the mountains, and
money is no obstacle, then I would have someone
to be in the best position I can be to go as fast as I
I like to hear their stories and be inspired by what
the track itself is mostly natural with a really steep
bring bikes to me at different locations so I could
can. I have a really good team behind me. I want to
they can do.
lower section, which is exactly what I like. When it’s
check out the local riding spots. I’ve never been to
dry, you can literally get dust in your shoes it’s that
Asia or South America, so exploring somewhere more exotic is definitely on my to-do list.
do them justice and make the hard work worthwhile.
do some backpacking and wild camping with my
With everything being new this year, I’m using past
How would you like to use your influence
powdery! The crowds are great, and I always just
experience to help me, but I also have a clean slate
in the future?
take good memories away from there.
016 // JUN17
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@LTMOUNTAINS
TECH MEETS
Easy-to-Wear I N
2017 COLLECTION
018 // JUN17 PROMO
@LTMOUNTAINS
In the eternal quest for functional outdoor wear, Parajumpers has a remarkable pedigree. Born in Italy in 2006 having been inspired by a meeting between designer Massimo Rossetti and a serving member of the 210th Rescue Squadron, better known as ‘The PJs’ … short for Parajumpers, in a bar in Anchorage, Alaska. This spring and summer “All Things Tech” meets “Easy-to-Wear” Parajumpers’ latest collection reflects the synergy of Massimo Rossetti’s expertise in active sportswear and outerwear with his Italian design sensibility. As usual the full collection is available to view via parajumpers.it/en/ with free worldwide shipping.
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PARAJUMPERS.IT/EN
HAIB IK XDURO E ALLMTN
ELECTRIC
ACK D IAMONDB RANGER 3.0
REVOLUTION E-bikes or electric bikes have exploded onto the cycling market in the past couple of years. Adding an electric motor to a bike has been an amazing innovation that takes the strain out of riding, whether you’re road cycling or mountain biking, so it’s no surprise that e-biking is growing in popularity at an astronomical rate worldwide.
Top-End E-Bikes
but that you use it when you need it, obviously most
There are also happy tales of, for example, long-
likely on a steep incline. But e-bikes do have limited
standing cycle club members who could no longer
power (typically, of course, the more expensive the
keep up with the pace of younger riders but found that
model, the longer the battery life), so using your
by switching to an e-bike they could continue to enjoy
e-bike for the steepest terrain drains the battery
the open road and the club camaraderie for years after
Haibike XDURO AllMtn 8.0
fastest. Many bikes have both economy “assist”
they might otherwise have been forced into retirement.
£6,499 | HAIBIKE.COM
modes to make pedalling on relatively flat ground
Whether you are a serious mountain rider looking to
The AllMtn 8.0 is amazingly stable and easy to
easier and a variation on a power boost mode for
scale more uphill runs without the need for lifts, or
control. It’s a top-end eMTB, packed with features,
when it’s more challenging.
you’re just looking to explore more of the mountains
and delivers excellent acceleration. With the Bosch
Some e-bikes are so sophisticated they “sense”
with your family on holiday, electric power gives
motor, it delivers both fantastic uphill performance
when you need powered assistance and kick in
everyone the opportunity to have loads of fun on bikes.
and seriously fun downhill riding. You get a fun
automatically, but normally it’s up to you how much
Here’s the lowdown on two new e-mountain bikes …
machine for your money with this bike.
of the leg work you do yourself, using the bike as a
E-Biking Holidays
Diamondback Ranger 3.0
Initially, e-bikes were heavier and frowned upon by
With the proliferation of e-bikes, gone are the days
This bike literally just rolled off the production line.
rentals and tours, so you can try before you buy and
some cycling and mountain biking purists, but they
where biking in the mountains was reserved for ultra-fit
Packed with gadgets, the Ranger is one of the first
see how much you like it.
are now becoming much more mainstream. Costs
experts. Ever more resorts are investing in e-bikes,
bikes available in the UK to use the new Shimano
Until you do try, though, you may not fully understand
are also down with the cheapest now available from
both for the road and e-mountain biking. For summer
E8000 STEPS eMTB drive system. This delivers
how the e-bike works (including the eMTB or electric
less than £800 and can go all the way up to £7,000
2017, La Plagne in France, for example, has 150km
loads of torque, in fact, 70nm of torque, which in
mountain bike), as there are so many different types
(but be wary as the specs vary tremendously, so it’s
of dedicated e-MTB tracks with conveniently located
eMTB terms is supercar power. This bike is fast up
it can get confusing.
important to read reviews and take test rides before
recharge points. Val d’Isère and Crankworx hosts Les
the hills and smooth down them and gives a ride
The idea is not that the electric power takes over
you buy).
Gets also both have a fleet of e-bikes for anyone to use.
that feels plush.
conventional pedal bike, and how much you use the Ever better models are being launched on the market
powered assistance your e-bike provides.
all the time, and ever more destinations offer e-bike
020 // JUN17
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£3,650–£4,250 | DIAMONDBACK.CO.UK
@LTMOUNTAINS
FIVE
REASONS
TO
VISIT
M O N TA N A
Known as Big Sky Country, Montana is a sparsely populated state of spectacular scenery and magnificent wilderness areas.
River Runs Through It, starring Brad Pitt, was filmed in
Heritage, History and Pre-History
Missoula in the west of the state, and The River Wild,
You can dig for fossils at locations across the state,
starring Meryl Streep, was filmed around the Kootenai
where some of the world’s most impressive fossilised
River, again near Libby. Glacier National Park featured
dinosaur skeletons have been unearthed. For a
Historic Towns
in films including What Dreams May Come and Forrest
real taste of more recent Montana history, head
Step back in time on a visit to historic Nevada City
It has been used as a location for many great
Gump. You can stay near the park by spending a few
to Bozeman to visit the Museum of the Rockies.
and Virginia City, mine for sapphires in Philipsburg
films over the years including, most recently, The
nights in the picturesque town of Whitefish.
You can even attend a real-life rodeo or go the
and hike the “M” Trail up to Mount Sentinel, surf the
whole hog and stay on a working ranch. For Native
river wave and learn about smokejumpers – brave
American heritage, you can learn about the Battle
firefighters who parachute in to remote wilderness
Revenant, which tells the tale of legendary explorer
Montana. Robert Redford’s 1992 coming-of-age tale A
the world’s largest “natural zoos”. While much of Yellowstone lies in Montana, the north entrance lies near the town of Gardiner.
Hugh Glass’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) epic adventure
Active Adventures
across the American wilderness and his quest for
Montana is the perfect place to get off the beaten
of Little Bighorn at Little Bighorn Battlefield National
areas to fight wildfires – and remote wildlife
survival against all odds. Filmed in locations including
track and is one of the world’s best locations for
Monument.
management at the Smokejumper Visitor Center in
the town of Libby, the film scored big at both the
everything from cycling to white-water rafting in the
Golden Globes and the Oscars. If you’ve got a taste
summer months. One attraction not to miss, if you’re
National Parks
for Montana from watching The Revenant, why not
brave enough, is the Swinging Bridge near Kootenai
Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks offer epic
which Richard Widmark stars as a smokejumper who
experience the real thing (but without the hardship)?
Falls, which swings 640m above the Kootenai River
landscapes, abundant wildlife and some of the
attempts to save his crew while being overrun by a
gorge. The original footbridge was destroyed by a
world’s most breathtaking road trips. In Glacier,
forest fire.
major flood in 1948, but the bridge was rebuilt and is
don’t miss exploring the “Going-to-the-Sun-Road”
now protected from flooding by Libby Dam.
by traditional red “jammer” bus. Glacier is one of
More Movie Locations Besides The Revenant, other films have featured
022 // JUN17
022 // JUN17
Missoula. Once again, there’s a movie connection:
Red Skies of Montana is a 1952 adventure drama in
VISITMT.COM
VOLCANO FLY OVER Not only is Kīlauea, Hawaii, the most active volcano in the world, it is also the only one on Earth at present where the lava flows directly into the ocean, making the sea boil and vaporise into a hissing plume of steam. This year you can watch this amazing sight from above on the “Circle of Fire and Waterfalls” helicopter tour that takes passengers over Kīlauea, passing tropical rainforests and cascading waterfalls en route. bluehawaiian.com
ENDURO WORLD SERIES
CALDWELL TO VISIT LONDON & SHEFFIELD Free-climbing legend Tommy Caldwell is coming to Sheffield City Hall Ballroom on Saturday 1 July, then to the Royal Geographical Society in London the next day to talk about his amazing achievements. In 2015, after years of effort, Tommy Caldwell finally
“CHALLENGER EVENTS” FOR ENDURO WORLD SERIES
conquered the Dawn Wall, the forbidding 914m-high southwest face of El Capitan, in California’s Yosemite Valley. The Dawn Wall was a climb that represented the end of a difficult recovery from the trauma of being held hostage by rebels during an earlier climbing expedition in Kyrgyzstan. thebmc.co.uk
Although the Enduro World Series has a reputation for hosting some of the toughest races on the planet, the allnew Challenger Events will offer a more relaxed option for anyone who wants to try EWS level racing without committing themselves to the full course.
will give riders the chance to
day before.
experience a selection of the
Chris Ball, Managing Director of
stages being used in the main race.
the Enduro World Series, said:
The Challengers are designed to
“We’re all really excited about the
offer a fun, mellow atmosphere
new Challenger events. They’re
while still offering world-class
a great way to get the full EWS
In Patagonia – published 40 years ago this year
trails, with each featuring three
experience with none of the
– can explore Patagonia firsthand by taking part
or four stages from the race the
pressure – just incredible riding
following day. And Challenger
with your mates and then the
racers can then stay and cheer
chance to rub shoulders with the
Taking place the day before the
their heroes down some of the
best mountain bikers in the world
The Volcano Marathon, billed as “The
main EWS races, these events
same trails they’ve just raced the
the next day.”
World’s Highest and Driest Desert
lakes and soaring mountains. First staged in 2012,
Marathon”, is back for 2017. On 16
the marathon has brought together thousands of
November, competitors will assemble
runners from more than 40 countries worldwide.
PATAGONIA MARATHON Those inspired by Bruce Chatwin’s famous book,
HIGHEST & DRIEST DESERT MARATHON
in the Patagonian International Marathon on 9 September in the stunning Torres del Paine National Park of Chilean Patagonia. Runners will cover varied
to race at San Pedro de Atacama in the
terrain while surrounded by enormous glaciers, vast
patagonianinternationalmarathon.com
heart of the Atacama Desert in Chile, the
POUND RISES IN VALUE
driest desert in the world. The 42.195km marathon begins near the active volcanoes, at a start altitude of
Discover the World has a new fly-drive itinerary,
4,475m, a height that’s a challenge in
the Iceland Ring Road Special, which makes
itself for many people. The first half of
the most of long summer days, as guests travel
the race takes place on dirt roads at an
around the remarkable island on one of the
average of over 4,000m altitude, before
world’s classic drives. Take in well-known sights
becoming more challenging.
HINKES: MAN OF THE MOUNTAINS
ICELANDIC RING ROAD
Lascar Volcano, one of the world’s most
and explore off the beaten track in search of
The 2016 Volcano Marathon was won by
hidden gems, aided by the free – exclusively to
Brit Luke Wigman in a time of 4:38:37hrs
Discover the World clients – iDiscover iPad guide,
with Andrea Lopez (Chile) taking the women’s title in 5:13:48hrs.
featuring personalised itineraries for guests. Departures up to 18 August 2017.
Alan Hinkes OBE is the first and
document Alan’s life-long love
climbing difficult, dangerous
Packages to compete in this year’s
only British mountaineer to climb
affair with the hills and mountains,
peaks, Alan has had a few
race cost from $3,000 (about £2,300),
all of the world’s fourteen 8,000m
both in the UK and further afield.
close shaves and near-death
which includes race entry plus five days’
mountains, and his extraordinary
Starting at school in Northallerton,
experiences, many recounted in
accommodation including a few days’
career will be brought to the big
Yorkshire, Alan’s passion for the
his book 8000 Metres – Climbing
acclimatisation at San Pedro, which lies
screen and documented in a
mountains has never waned.
The World’s Highest Mountains.
at 2,600m, with training runs and visits
stunning new biopic produced by
If you cut him in half, it says
The premiere of the film,
to the Salt Mountain Range, Valley of the
become the youngest Brit to climb Mount
leading outdoors filmmaker
“mountain man”, and he loves
sponsored by Fjallräven, will be on
Moon and Valley of Death and other trip
Everest from both the north and south sides.
Terry Abraham.
the fells and crags of Britain as
24 October at the Rheged Centre
essentials. volcanomarathon.com
A meeting of two true outdoor
much as the Himalayas. As well
in the Lake District, where tickets
legends, Terry’s new film will
as experiencing success and
for this are on sale.
YOUNGEST BRIT CLIMBS BOTH SIDES OF EVEREST A 26-year-old woman from Edinburgh has
Mollie Hughes, originally from Torbay in Devon, climbed the world’s highest mountain from its south side in 2012. She then climbed the 8,848m peak earlier this spring from the north, starting in Tibet, which is a more challenging route exposing
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
023 // JUN17
mountaineers to colder and windier conditions.
5
GREAT WALKING HOLIDAYS IN THE I TALIAN LAKES 024 // JUN17
@LTMOUNTAINS
THE I TALIAN LAKES HAVE LONG AT TRAC TED BRI T ISH HIKERS WHO ENJO Y THE COMBINAT ION OF STUNNING SCENERY PROV IDED BY THE RUGGED MOUNTAINS ABOVE AND EMERALD WATERS OF THE LAKES BELOW W I TH THE RELAXING AND FRIENDLY DOLCE V I TA LIFEST YLE OF THE REGION.
tiny neighbour, Lake Ledro. There’s also the
level 2–3, and level 3. The latter is described
particularly lovely wooded walk and takes around
alluring Lake Orta or tranquil Lake Iseo. The
thus: “…challenging hikes, featuring long days with
half an hour. The mountains above town offer more
difficulty is always choosing which one to visit first.
significant ascent/descent on challenging terrain.
challenging hikes for those with more energy. Pick up
Compass skills may be required.” So, something
a map from the Tourist Office, with details of 12 routes
WANDERWALKS
for everyone …
ranging from one to four hours long – these include
Inghams offers a choice of eight different Italian
RAMBLING AROUND LAKE C OMO
castello and the highest viewpoint in the area.
lakes as bases for its summer mountain holidays. New for 2017, the company is featuring Lazise, a
Sherpa Expeditions offers a self-guided, moderate-
those staying in Levico, provides free bus and train
pretty town set on the eastern shore of Lake Garda,
difficulty walking tour of Lake Como, one of the
travel in the region and Thomson guests also get
to the south of Bardolino, and Como, the historic
“big three” Italian lakes.
a free vineyard and wine tasting tour and free boat
and bustling city and the capital of the province.
Como is a splendid blue, watery ribbon carved
trip on the lake.
Inghams exclusively offers what it calls
between the adjacent mountains for a length
“Wanderwalks”, a guided walking programme of
of 46km. It branches into two legs at a junction
up to three varied walks per week during your
between the attractive villages of Bellagio,
ON YOUR BIKE
stay, guided by either your Inghams rep or a
Varenna and Menaggio on opposite lakeshores.
Of course, just because you’re in the hills above
professional English-speaking guide.
Most of the hiking trails in the area are well
the Italian Lakes you don’t have to hike. Headwater
The walks vary from one to five hours and may be
maintained and Sherpa offers flexible routes so
offers a nine-night, self-guided cycling tour from
The great climate and stunning beauty of the area
easy, moderate or “slightly challenging” in nature
you often have the option of taking a shorter route
the Alps to Lake Garda that can be booked any
were well known to the locals long before the Brits
(meaning more demanding hikes over varied
if you want to hike less, or a longer one if you want
time between May and October this year.
arrived, though: the lake shores, once lined by
terrain, sometimes at altitude, and where trails may
to do more – but generally you’ll need to have a
The ride through the famously sunny (300 days
Roman villas, were a favoured retirement spot two
be less defined in parts, so reasonable health and
reasonable level of fitness and should be able to
per year average) Trentino-Alto Adige region,
millennia ago. With the advent of resort-type tourism
fitness is required and a minimum age of 14 years).
walk for up to four and a half hours during a day
which, according to Goethe, is also “the most
from Victorian times, hotels were built for wealthy
for easier options and longer for moderate-grade
beautiful wine garden in Europe”, begins in the
European and American tourists who promenaded
traditional Italian mountain village of Silandro, in
walks to forts and ruins, as well as paths to Tegazzo Among many benefits, the local guest card, free to
around the lake shore and into the surrounding hills.
SELF-GUIDED HIKING HOLIDAYS
walks. The company notes that snow may be encountered, especially early in the season and up
the heart of the unspoilt Val Venosta.
Exactly how strenuous you’d like your hiking
Inntravel’s walking holidays in the Italian Lakes
to late June at the highest levels.
The trail follows a linear route south, passing
(or should that be “promenading”?) holiday to
are meticulously researched, and you walk at your
be is very much up to you, with a whole host of
own pace guided by detailed notes provided by
companies offering a whole range of options from
the company. You can base yourself in one place
gentle strolls through relatively benign woodland,
or your luggage can be transported between
I TALY’S CLEANEST LAKE
meadows and perhaps vineyards to serious multi-
hotels while you’re out hiking, so you travel light
All of the Italian lakes appear pristine but Lake Levico
sailing and stunning sunsets.
day expeditions over mountain peaks and across
and carefree. The company also offers walks with
has a reputation as one of the purest of the lot.
You can, of course, stop and do a bit of hiking
terrain that may still be snow covered in mid-
a guide and has an option for families where you
It’s located in the wonderful Trentino region of Italy and
along the way if you wish.
summer for the most experienced. You can opt for
stay at family-friendly hotels.
within the UNESCO-protected Dolomite mountains.
guided or self-guided hikes with a tour operator or
“Our notes provide so much information in addition
Thomson Lakes & Mountains offers holidays to
just do it yourself.
to the basic directions that you don’t need a
several of the Italian lakes but rate Lake Levico as
The three best-known of the lakes are Lake
guide,” a company spokesperson said. “The maps
having some of the country’s best walking.
MORE INF O
Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore in northern
that we provide along with our walking notes are
If you want to keep it simple you can
Wanderwalks: inghams.co.uk
Italy but there are many other, more off-the-
usually 1:25,000 or, in some cases, 1:50,000.”
circumnavigate the lake itself in a couple of hours
Self-Guided Hiking Holidays: inntravel.co.uk
beaten-track options.
The company divides its walking holidays into
and perhaps walk through the arboretum in the
Rambling Lake Como: sherpaexpeditions.co.uk
These include Lake Levico, one of Italy’s cleanest
three main levels, but offers two intermediate
town centre, or strike off into the hills on a more
Lake Levico: thomsonlakes.co.uk
lakes, a peaceful Alpine lake encircled by lush
stages, meaning overall there are five main
strenuous adventure.
On Your Bike: headwater.com
forests, hiking and cycling trails, and Lake Garda’s
options: level 1 (pretty easy), level 1–2, level 2,
The Via dei Pescatori, the fisherman’s path, is a
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
Alpine meadows, pretty wine villages, historic spa
LAKE LEV ICO
towns and ancient art cities before a final downhill whizz brings you to the shores of Riva, “Pearl of Lake Garda”, famed for its pine-fringed beaches,
025 // JUN17
GETTY IMAGES / RED BULL CONTENT POOL
DOUGIE LAMPKIN KING OF TRIALS
Yorkshire-born Dougie Lampkin is a professional motorcycle trials and endurocross rider who has won five consecutive World Indoor (1997-2001) and seven consecutive World Outdoor Championships (1997-2003). He has also won four World Team Championships and been awarded an MBE for services to his sport. Last September Lampkin wheelied an entire lap of the 37.7-mile Isle of Man TT course. How did you come up with the idea of Dougie’s
that everyone could relate to, and I thought about
spinning to keep me on line. We also had an extra
I recreated The Italian Job for BMW just before the
when you are young and first ride a bicycle all you
fuel tank for the distance.
London Olympics. We had the streets of London
wanted to do is wheelie, and it seemed a challenge.
closed off for a couple of nights, and I chased Minis
So I then started thinking of the places where I could
Do you have a constant need to push yourself
make it happen, and then the Isle of Man TT course
to take on challenges and look for the next
came to mind, and the rest is history!
adventure?
What are your plans for the summer?
I always feel the need to push myself and always will,
I’m busy with my riding, shows and the development
How do you train for a project like this?
but on the occasion of the Wheelie, I definitely took
of the bike I ride called Vertigo. I’m also at the
My training was mainly putting in the miles on the bike
myself to the limit and at the time said that I would
Goodwood Festival of Speed again and various Red
and also to get my body used to the abuse it was about
never do that again, but now I’m thinking again …
Bull projects including a video in the famous Carrara
to take during the more than one hour 30 minutes. I was
around and even rode over a few. Great fun!
marble quarry in Italy.
riding early every morning then working on improving
Have you started planning another epic project
the bike during the day and so on. In total I completed
yet? Can you give us any clues?
Road trips: what’s your idea of the ultimate
over 1,445km in training in preparation for the challenge.
I’m always thinking what could be next and have
mountain road trip? The best of everything you
submitted a few ideas to Red Bull for their thoughts.
could do in a day?
I’m excited, but no clues, I’m afraid!!!
Me and some friends rode by bicycle to Nice in
Wheelie to start with and why? Just because it has never been done or were you looking to tone your
What modifications did you have to make to the bike?
calf muscles up?
Almost everything! Mainly I was standing on the
I’ve been with Red Bull now for 17 years and always
back axle of the bike as there’s not much room on
How about re-creating The Italian Job chase
think that box is ticked, but generally I love riding
been asked to think of interesting places to ride
a trials bike with a foot and right-hand rear brakes,
on two wheels. Would that appeal, or are we
bikes all over the world, so I think that I’m constantly
and amazing projects. I was thinking of something
plus a gyro-effect front wheel which was always
suggesting crazy things to you?
on the ultimate road trip …
026 // JUN17
026 // JUN17
France from the north of England for charity, so I
@LTMOUNTAINS
Love_The_Mountains.indd 1
26/04/2017 13:08
3–4 JUN
8-11 JUN
Mountain Bike World Cup
Keswick Mountain Festival
Crankworx
NEVIS RANGE, FORT WILLIAM, SCOTLAND
LAKE DISTRICT, UK
LES GETS, FRANCE
The world of gravity mountain biking descends
Featuring guided activities including mountain
The world’s biggest mountain biking tour rolls into
on its spiritual home in the Scottish Highlands in
biking, hiking, canoeing, navigation training,
Europe from its previous stop in New Zealand, arriving
the latest round of the World Cup and with the
ghyll scrambling, climbing and much more
at the French Alps for five full-on days of world-class
two reigning UCI Downhill World Champions,
to be enjoyed with friends and family,
competition alongside fun and activities for fans. Next
Danny Hart and Rachel Atherton, both Brits.
there are also challenging sporting events.
stop Innsbruck from 21 to 25 June before the finale in
fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk
keswickmountainfestival.co.uk
Whistler, in August. crankworx.com
All included in the price:
Prices from
Enduro World Series
NZ Mountain Film Festival
Tour de France
ROUND 5 OF 8 | MILLAU, FRANCE
WANAKA, CROMWELL & QUEENSTOWN
FRANCE AND GERMANY
The World Series aims to establish, develop
The New Zealand Mountain Film Festival
The 104th edition of the Tour de France will begin
and spearhead Enduro MTB racing worldwide
is an NZ-made festival which started in
with an individual time trial in Düsseldorf on 1 July
with eight stages in 2017. Millau will see the
2002 and is internationally recognised as
and conclude with the Champs-Élysées stage in
competition hot up as we enter the second half
one of the world’s premier mountain film
Paris on 23 July 2017.
of the years stages. enduroworldseries.com
festival events. mountainfilm.nz
letour.com
S U M M E R
Accomm o hut fees dation incl. (if requir ed) All mea ls Lift pas s Instructi on/Guid ing Any req uired te chnical kit
CHAMONIX
30 JUN 9 JUL
£382
1-23 JUL
30 JUN 1 JUL
14-18 JUN
3–9 JUL
D I A R Y
27-29 JUL 11-13 AUG
THE UCPA RUN A HUGE RANGE OF MOUNTAINEERING COURSES FROM THEIR ALPINE BASE IN CHAMONIX From introductory courses for those keen to learn the basics, to advanced courses perfecting technical skills and attempting challenging alpine routes and world famous summits, including Mont Blanc. For more information and to book:
www.action-outdoors.co.uk/ mountaineering THE UK PARTNE
Megavalanche
Evel Knievel Days 2017
Snowdonia Outdoor Festival
ALPE-D’HUEZ, FRANCE
BUTTE, MONTANA, USA
BALA, WALES
A downhill MTB race with the biggest vertical
Taking place in Knievel’s hometown, daredevils
The new festival is expected to attract up to
descent of any competition in the world starting
will take their skateboards, BMX bikes,
10,000 people for a combination of music and
from Le Pic Blanc (3,300m) and finishing at
motorcycles and more to extreme heights and
outdoor activities celebrating Wales and the
Allemont (720m) attracts 1,400 participants with
put on a dangerous show in the spirit of Evel
Welsh language. Sporting events will include trail
four days of training and racing.
Knievel that you won’t find anywhere else.
runs, open-water swims on the lake, and bike
ucc-sportevent.com/en/megavalanche-alpe-dhuez-en
evelknieveldays.org
races. snowdonia-outdoorfestival.co.uk
R FOR
028 // DEC16
@LTMOUNTAINS
TIROL WERBUNG SCHWARZ JENS
Book now ba.com/innsbruck
WORDS: PATRICK THORNE
Zillertal Olperer Hütte
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PROMO 029 // JUN17
TIROL WERBUNG SCHWARZ JENS
The Austrian Tirol offers hundreds of miles of magnificent mountain splendour and is a summer mecca for mountain bikers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. It is quite possibly the ultimate summer mountain destination. Located in the heart of the Alps, Tirol is a veritable Alpine paradise for walkers, hikers, climbers, cyclists and mountain bikers with an incredible 24,000km of signposted and marked hiking and 5,600km of marked mountain bike trails plus 230km of Singletrails. These include everything from very easy strolls or rides – found around almost every small village in Tirol – to long-distance hiking trails like the Eagle Walk, which runs from St. Johann in Tirol to St. Anton am Arlberg, or the Bike Trail Tirol, a 1,000km-long mountain bike circuit. The region’s cultural heritage is preserved by the locals,
©TIROL WERBUNG / HAIDEN ERWIN, BIKEBOARD
Zillertal Berliner Hütte
Innsbruck, Old Town
Innsbruck Mutterer Alm
030 // JUN17 PROMO
@LTMOUNTAINS
©TIROL WERBUNG
the accommodation, from B&Bs to 5★ hotels, is all run by families
Airport, from which most destinations are just minutes away with
endless array of outdoor activities and events each spring and summer.
and at the same time the infrastructure is state-of-the-art. Over €300
efficient, short transfers.
The historic town is as beautiful as its mountainous backdrop, and there
million is invested each year in modern lifts, so the Tirol can now claim
The locals are genuinely friendly, the food is delicious, the unique
are lots of summer sporting attractions, plus endless opportunities for
to have the best in the world. But those fast, comfy lifts aren’t just for
restaurants and accommodation are of high quality and the resorts
window shopping and enjoying the café culture all day.
skiers; they carry people and their bikes up the mountains in spring
exude true mountain-village charm.
Bikepark Innsbruck is Tirol’s newest mountain biking hotspot. Situated at
and summer too.
The only question is, which one should you visit first?
Muttereralm, just 15 minutes from the city centre, it caters to every level
In summer, the mountains go from monochrome hues to rich colours of green pastureland and forest, dotted with colourful flowers in the meadows. A newfound energy sparks a different type
of rider, with four routes on offer. It’s one of the world’s leading mountain
Innsbruck
of adventure, which along with walking, hiking, climbing, mountain
biking destinations and will play host to the Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival this year in June for the first time. For those who don’t know it, Crankworx is a global world tour for elite riders and brings a full festival
biking and cycling includes a myriad of other adrenaline activities
The beautiful capital of Tirol, three times an Olympic host, is just a
atmosphere along with it. Routes include the 5km-long Muttereralm trail
such as climbing, whitewater rafting and many other outdoor
15-minute transfer from the airport to the city centre. Surrounded by
from the top of the Muttereralm gondola. Everyone from beginners to
adventure sports.
spectacular mountain scenery, this unique destination combines city
early-advanced riders will enjoy the jaw-dropping views over Innsbruck
Tirol’s typical warm hospitality brings guests back year after year,
and nature. Imperial history and modern Alpine urbanity are paired
towards the impressive Nordkette mountains beyond as it descends 750
and this summer getting straight to Tirol will be easier still with a new
with the full range of summer activities, from climbing to water sports.
vertical metres over a series of nerve-testing switchbacks, through the
direct British Airways service from London Heathrow to Innsbruck
A buzzing city surrounded by 2,300m peaks, Innsbruck plays host to an
wooded mountainside to the middle station.
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©TIROL WERBUNG
Mayrhofen in the Zillertal Valley
although if you’re short on time it’s easy to just tackle a section or two
the valley just after the Hausberg, a jump known for being one of the
instead. There are six traditional mountain huts dotted along the route,
hardest in skiing.
Mayrhofen, just a one-hour transfer from Innsbruck Airport, is the
so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get some well-deserved rest
only destination to make the top three for British visitors in both
and fill up on tasty local cuisine.
winter and summer. A walker’s and mountain biker’s paradise, with breathtaking views up to the glacier (one of only two in the world where you can ski all year
Kitzbühel
round), you’ll find both traditional and grand mountain huts like the
Alpbach The most picturesque village in Austria: home to traditional wooden and Tirolean-style houses, with balconies and colourful flower boxes,
Berliner Hütte or the modern and sustainable Olpererhütte to enjoy.
Kitzbühel, 75 minutes from Innsbruck, is the third most popular
it is a great starting point for walkers, road cyclists and mountain
The Zillertal is a truly action-packed valley, with every nook and
summer destination choice for Brits in the Tirol.
lovers (even for swimming with 25°C water temperatures) as well as a
cranny offering up fun for all types of adventurers. Alongside
It’s the legendary hotspot in the Alps for relaxation, shopping can be
perfect spot for families.
1,400km of hiking trails served by 10 summer cable cars, you can
paired with outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking and
Two summer lifts ensure that the “going up” is easy for bikers, and
also explore the valley on bike, climb up to high-altitude peaks or
road cycling, and it’s also a hotspot for golfing in the Alps with no
more than 30 mountain huts take care of the “filling up”. The region
cool off in a natural lake.
fewer than four golf courses to choose from.
can’t really claim to be a top secret tip for mountain bikers as the
Mayrhofen-born Peter Habeler is a local hero. In 1978, he and the
In January each year, Kitzbühel stages Austria’s, and indeed the skiing
famed Transalp Challenge has already been held in the region four
South Tyrolean climber Reinhold Messner became the first people
world’s, biggest sporting event, the infamous Hahnenkamm downhill, and
times, yet it is still far from crowded, with bikes and routes varying
in the world to conquer Everest without bottled oxygen. But despite
there’s no need to miss out on the race route when you visit in summer!
from the most challenging to the well-marked biking trails for families.
climbing all over the world, Habeler considers his home mountains
The best skiers make it down the Hahnenkamm racecourse, known
E-biking is also popular here, making the experience even more
of the Zillertal Valley to be the most beautiful of all. And the Peter-
as the Streif, in less than two minutes, but in summer on foot it takes
pleasurable. The latest e-bikes look like standard mountain bikes
Habeler-Route, created to honour his 70th birthday, will show
2.5 hours to negotiate the 900m drop in altitude. It begins at the
but have an electric motor concealed within the frame, acting like an
experienced climbers exactly why.
race’s start house, close to the top of the Hahnenkamm Gondola, with
extra set of gears.
The 56.1km path circumnavigates the peaks of the western Zillertal,
views over the green pastures of the Kitzbühel Alps all the way to the
You can often ride without engaging “e-bike mode” if you’re a
crossing through awe-inspiring high-mountain landscapes along
jagged peaks of the Wilder Kaiser region. From there, the hike passes
relatively fit biker, but it’s when you tackle the steeper, higher routes
the way. Divided into six stages, the entire route involves a heart-
through spots like Mausefalle (mousetrap), an 85° jump that tests the
that the e-bike really comes into its own. Switch to “turbo mode”
thumping 4,230m of ascent – and with a predicted walking time
nerves of the world’s best skiers, and Steilhang, a steep section that
and you’ll feel like Superman (or woman) with the boost the motor
of 25.5 hours, it usually takes hikers four to five days to complete,
has ended many a skier’s World Cup dreams. The Streif hike ends in
provides every time you touch the pedals.
Alpbach Eagle Walk in the Brandenberger Alps
@LTMOUNTAINS
TIROL WERBUNG SCHWARZ JENS
Niederau and Auffach in the Wildschönau Valley A walker’s and mountain biker’s paradise, located 70 minutes from Innsbruck Airport, the Wildschönau Valley is a beautiful playground of Alpine pastures, old traditions and quaint mountain villages. In fact Wildschönau is made for summer holidays with 300km of walking trails criss-crossing the region, and mountaintop bike paths to make exploring easy. Families are well catered for too, with swimming pools, horse riding and museums all on its doorstep. The Wildschönau Valley is an outdoors haven for hikers. Walkers can kick off their stay with a cable-car trip to the top of the Markbachjoch, free with the Wildschönau Card. From there, an easy four-hour hike around the Rosskopf offers a great introduction to the area, with aweinspiring views over the Wildschönau Valley. Make sure to stop off at the Holzalm along the way – it’s a must-visit for cheese lovers, offering guided tours alongside a great selection of local homemade cheeses.
St Johann in Tirol The Kitzbüheler Horn and Wilder Kaiser mountains stand a scenic guard over the pretty town of St Johann in Tirol. With its frescoed facades, it is just a 75-minute transfer from Innsbruck Airport. This popular holiday resort, part of the larger Kitzbühel Alps region, with over 200km of mountain biking routes to explore, is also the
TIROL WERBUNG SCHWARZ JENS
Zillertal Olperer Hütte
Tiroler Zugspitzarena Lake Blindsee
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PROMO 033 // JUN17
And there’s so much more to do: golf, summer biathlon, and a
runs on 24 stages for some 280km over to St Anton am Arlberg. Don’t
huge choice of equestrian activities from pony rides to full-day
worry: you do not need to walk all of those.
horse trekking. You can also enjoy the currently popular stand-up
But there are plenty of other ways to explore the great outdoors of
paddling (SUP) on a mountain lake and even combine it with yoga
The Zugspitz Arena is an amazing destination for fans of hiking and
the Kitzbühel Alps from a base in St Johann. How about mountain
in Seefeld’s “SUP Yoga Programme” suitable for beginners and
mountain biking at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest
karting? Described by one visitor as “a kind of three-wheeled go-kart
experienced yogis alike. This unique concept involves carrying out
mountain, but it is also famed for the glittering lakes that make up
with chunky, all-terrain wheels but no motor, crank, nor pedals, since
yoga exercises on the water amid the tranquil setting of the nature
its landscape, and the best way to explore them is by bike. The
gravity provides locomotion in spades.”
protection area. Segway tour, tennis, squash, paragliding – the list
3-Seen-Tour (3 lake circuit) takes in three of the most beautiful lakes:
You race downhill on your cart with powerful pneumatic brakes
of options just keeps going, and Seefeld stays have become very
Mittersee, Blindsee and Weißensee.
controlling each rear wheel independently, allowing you to navigate
popular as a result.
The 11.2km route starts in Biberwier and follows a tree-lined path towards
hairpin turns by locking the steering and the corresponding back wheel to slide around each bend. It takes a bit of practice, but you’ll soon master it and the ski lifts get you effortlessly up the mountain to the start.
the Loisachquellen, a series of shimmering springs and the first of many
St Anton am Arlberg
photogenic spots along the route. After that, the path carries on through the woods to Mittersee. It’s the smallest of the three lakes, but its waters often reach 22°C in summer, making it an ideal spot to take a dip.
Only 60 minutes from Innsbruck Airport, St Anton is another
After winding through an undulating of forest of fir trees, the cycle
great spot for hiking, mountain biking and climbing in the
path reaches Blindsee, the largest lake in the area. Although it can be
summer months.
cold, it’s also famed for its great swimming, with jaw-dropping views
The most popular destination for Brits in Tirol in summer, Seefeld
For hikers, among its many attractions, it is the beginning and end
over to the Zugspitz, the imposing mountain that marks the border
is also one of the easiest to reach – just 25 minutes from
point for the long-distance trekking path, the 24 stage, 280km (175
between Austria and Germany. Watch out for scuba divers, who are
Innsbruck Airport.
mile) Eagle Walk (“Adlerweg”) over to St Johann in Tirol.
drawn to its clear waters, and underwater tree trunks.
That’s no surprise as it’s a paradise for relaxation, and nature
St Anton is also a great option for climbers in the summer, with
Another forested track leads to the final lake of the tour, Weißensee,
lovers have access to the biggest nature reserve in the Tirol, the
a number of climbing hotspots to choose from and ascents for
which has an incredible backdrop of mountains. From there, you can
Karwendel, which is open to road cyclists and mountain bikers as
all abilities, from total beginners (who’ll find all the training and
pedal back to Biberwier to complete the circuit.
well as hikers.
equipment they require ready and waiting) to consummate pros.
This half-day cycle ride is even more breathtaking in the morning or
In fact, there are no fewer than 650km of marked hiking trails, 570km
Indeed, for first-timers, St Anton also has an indoor climbing centre,
evening, when the sun tickles the peaks that surround it with a pinkish
of road cycling routes and mountain bike trails, and for climbers
arl.rock, where beginners can master the basics before heading out
glow. There’s 513m of ascent but no major climbs, making it ideal for
numerous mountaineering routes and via ferratas (protected climbing
with a guide to try the real thing.
all levels of cyclists. Whether you are after alternative fun such as
routes) covering all levels of difficulty. In addition, the Nordic Walking
The Schnann Gorge is one popular draw with 40 easily accessible
llama trekking, scavenger hunts or adventure paths, Tiroler Zugspitz
and Running Arena, with its 266km of signposted routes, provides an
routes, or higher up is a climbing area around the Darmstädter Hütte
Arena is a perfect holiday destination for families, as well as anyone
ideal opportunity for exercise.
and the 3,140m-high Kuchenspitz Peak.
else looking for a fantastic summer mountains holiday.
Seefeld in Tirol
MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS IN TIROL THIS SUMMER Mountain Biking 21–25 June: Crankworx MTB Festival in Innsbruck 30 June: 9th Zillertal Bike Challenge 3–6 Aug: Ischgl Iron Bike
Walking Events 15–16 July: KitzAlp 24 in Alpbach 20 Aug: Schatzbergmarsch in Auffach 26 Aug: Karwendelmarsch in Seefeld
Road Cycling 16 June: Tour de Suisse starts in Sölden 29–30 Aug: Arlberg Giro in St Anton
Climbing 30 Aug – 10 Sept: 2017 Youth Climbing World Championship in Innsbruck For all road cycling and climbing enthusiasts: Reserve and mark the dates in your diary. In September 2018 two World Championships will take place in Innsbruck: UCI Road Cycling World Championship in Innsbruck and IFSC Climbing World Championship For more information visit www.visittirol.co.uk Book now ba.com/innsbruck
Kitbzbühel Lake Schwarzsee
034 // JUN17 PROMO
©TIROL WERBUNG / AICHNER BERNHARD
Ehrwald and Lermoos in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
other starting point of the long-distance trail, the Eagle Walk, which
THE TOUR DE SUISSE The Tour de France and Giro d’Italia are famous cycle races, but did you know there’s a Swiss equivalent, the Tour de Suisse? This year, Engadin St Moritz, 1,850m up in the Alps, is an official partner for the race and, as a stage location, it will also hold the Mountain Prize on 15–16 June. The route is part of a long-standing partnership between the three leading Graubünden region resorts also including Davos Klosters and Arosa. engadin.stmoritz.ch
ULTIMATE LAKELAND MOUNTAIN TRAIL RACE The 56km Lakes Sky Ultra™, which will take place on 15 July, has been created by Mountain Run Events as their ultimate Lakeland mountain trail race. Designed as a sky distance race with 4,500m of vertical ascent, this exposed, elevated, technical and bold race includes fast descents and soaring ridge lines. It involves classics such as Dove Crag, Hart Crag and Fairfield, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge,
MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL WILL TRY TO BREAK SLACKLINING WORLD RECORD
CatstyCam, Striding Edge, Pinnacle Ridge, High
French mountain resort Les 2 Alpes has announced it is organising a new outdoor festival running from 22 to 25 June. Visitors will be able to watch and to try out many outdoor activities – including mountain biking, trail running and slacklining – in a friendly and festive atmosphere.
skills, walking along a suspended
resort, suspended between Les Crêtes
Trail de la Fée, which is 15km long with
a series of “Experience Packages” to encourage
length of flat webbing that is stretched
and la Vallée Blanche, both at 2,100m.
a vertical climb of 1,000m, and the 3600
between two points.
Mountain bikers can take part in MTB
Summit Trail, for experts only, as it covers
and Adventure Extreme Pack, which features a
Pros and beginners will be able to
Team Up competitions, which include
35km and has a vertical ascent of 2,750m.
day’s Fun Cup racing driving experience, a “Buggy
practise in different parts of Les 2
enduro races and DH in teams of three.
The Paragliding Pre World Cup will also
Meets Jet Ski” excursion, which includes an off-
Alpes. There will be a waterline above
On Friday 23 June, the bike park will open
take place in Les 2 Alpes from 22 to 25
road buggy ride up into the mountains followed by
Buissonière Lake and a highline at
in the evening for the MTB Moon Party.
June. Between 80 and 100 professionals
jet skiing back down on the coast, as well as a day
2,600m, as well as one on the glacier
Visitors can also take part in three
will fly at the same time to give an
at 3,400m, close to the Skywalk, and a
different trail running competitions. The
incredible show.
slackline above a mattress for beginners.
Lactique Hot Trail will be on Saturday, a
A weekend pass to everything costs €45
The world’s best slackliners will be in
Les 2 Alpes will try to break the highline
1,500m race with a vertical climb of 500m.
(about £39).
Les 2 Alpes to show off their slacklining
world record with a 2km line above the
On Sunday, there will be two races: the
ete.les2alpes.com
Street and more. Participation costs £75.
MOUNTAIN ACTION IN THE CANARIES The Anfi Group on Gran Canaria have launched guests to learn new skills. Options include a Sports
trekking in the Gran Canaria mountains or a oneday windsurfing course.
VIA FERRATA OPENS ON UAE’S TALLEST A new via ferrata climbing route has opened on the
SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS
highest mountain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The via ferrata comprises three challenging climbing and hiking paths across Jabal Jais mountain. The easiest course is the Ledge Walk, which takes up
CasaSandra, a luxury and artistic boutique hotel situated in Holbox Island, Mexico, has
to four hours to complete. All guests must prove
introduced a new holiday, “The Art of Whale Shark and Fishing Experience”, for those
themselves here before moving on to the Middle
adventurous travellers who are looking for once-in-a-lifetime and authentic memories, without
Path (three and a half hours) and the Sulphur Scare
renouncing the comforts of a luxury resort holiday. Guests on the trip will meet the island’s
(90 minutes). Each path culminates in an exhilarating
fishermen and learn about the world’s biggest fish, go fishing with them and even get the
zip line back to the start.
chance to swim with the largest aggregations of whale sharks in the world. “Every year, from mid-May to mid-September, the largest aggregations of whale sharks in the world are found off the coast of Holbox Island, feeding on the waters’ rich plankton, krill and fish eggs. This is particularly amazing since whale sharks are usually considered as
MAN JOINS RESCUE TEAM WHO SAVED HIM
solitary creatures,” said Sandra Pérez, Founder of CasaSandra, adding: “It is also an incredible phenomenon because it’s one of the few places on earth where the whale sharks are not in
A 35-year-old Cardiff man who was rescued by
the deep, but on the surface of the ocean. When you swim with these enormous creatures,
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team in Wales last
you experience all kinds of emotions – freedom, fear – and sense their great spirit and interior beauty.” casasandra.com
year after he crashed on to Pen-y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons while speed flying has joined the volunteer team who saved his life. Niall McCann, who spent 38 days in hospital with a shattered spine after the accident, is back hiking and cycling, and said he felt privileged to work side-
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035 // JUN17
by-side with the rescue volunteers.
WALK THE MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS OF CRETE Cachet Travel are offering two new guided walking holidays for 2017: Walking in Central Crete and Walking in Western Crete. The weeklong itineraries are conducted in small groups (maximum eight people) and led by Cachet Travel’s MD, Ghislain, taking in Crete’s majestic mountains, spectacular gorges, ancient Minoan sites and unspoilt coastlines. Departures up to 10 October 2017.
NEW ACCOMMODATION IN THE HIGHLANDS Established outdoor hub Braemar Mountain Sports has launched a range of self-catering accommodation, Braemar Cabins, that provide all-year-round comfort within easy access of a range of activities in the Highland region of Scotland. Walking and hiking for all ability levels is available locally, and ‘Munro baggers’ can use them as a base to bag local peaks over 3,000ft (914m). braemarcabins.com
ROC DES ALPES
CLIMBING FOR BEGINNERS and find out on a mountain holiday.
in via ferrata – a type of climbing
Engelberg, a mountain resort
where you use fixed steps and
located in stunning scenery in
ropeways, open to anyone.
Switzerland, will offer what they’re
Engelberg has six diverse via
calling “Rock and Safety Days”
ferrata routes to suit the needs of
and new bike tests. It will be a great opportunity to
Those who love climbing in the mountains say there’s nothing better, but if you’ve never tried it, how do you get started and find out if climbing is for you?
on selected dates in June and
everyone from beginners to pros.
discover the Alps, the Aravis massif and La Clusaz
One option can be to sign up
September this year when local
The free-to-join Rock and Safety
on your mountain bike, whatever your ability. The
on a beginner course at your
mountain guides will introduce
Days are to be staged on 12–14
weekend, from Friday 16 June to Sunday 18 June
local climbing wall, if there’s one
beginners to the world of climbing
and 26–28 June, and 4–6 and
The family-friendly fifth edition of the Roc des Alpes mountain biking festival in La Clusaz, France, will consist of three days packed with MTB events
K I D S WO R X
2017, will be spiced up by tons of activities for
near you, but you can also take
free of charge.
18–20 September 2017.
the entire family, both children and grown-ups,
advantage of occasional beginner
The Rock and Safety Days are
engelberg.ch/en/packages-deals/
From 14 to 18 June, Les Gets in the French
including spectacular shows and games.
courses offered in the mountains
great events for anyone interested
rock-safety-days-2016/
Alps is hosting Crankworx, one of the leading international events in the world of mountain biking. Alongside competitions with the world’s
CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN
top riders will be a bevy of shows, races for the general public and side entertainment. Les Gets is the ultimate family resort with mountain biking tracks suitable for every
James Forrest (33) is aiming to climb every mountain in England and Wales in just six months to raise money for the British Mountaineering Council’s Mend Our Mountains campaign, which
POUND RISES IN VALUE
age group, so it was only natural to give the kids their chance to take part in this amazing festival. Kidsworx offers riders six years old
funds upland path repairs on mountains across
and up the opportunity to compete alongside
the UK. James, who started his challenge in
the heroes of the sport, with competitions on the Pump Track, a Dual Slalom course and their
March, will walk more than 1,000 miles, wild camp
own Downhill.
for 100 nights and ascend five times the height of Everest in his bid to summit all 446 peaks over
The Dual Slalom race on Wednesday 14 June
2,000ft (610m) and aims to raise £4,460 – £10 for
will see two participants compete head-to-head on two parallel runs with similar courses on
every peak climbed. jamesmforrest.com
“the Carry’s slope” at Les Gets.
YEAR OF SPORT IN BARBADOS
CYCLING ADVENTURE WEEK
One of the main Kidsworx attractions, the Pump Track Challenge will take place on Saturday 17 June, then on Sunday 18 June it’s the Downhill (new for 13–14-year-olds this year) on the top of
Barbados, which styles itself as “the sporting
Inghams Lakes & Mountains
In the spirit of the Tour de France,
from £26.50 per day; otherwise,
the “Ecureuils slope”. This fun track is 900m of
mecca of the Caribbean”, is proclaiming 2017
will run their first-ever Cycling
Cycling Adventure Week guests
guests can arrange bike carriage
off-camber turns, the D-95 metres.
Adventure Week from Saturday 1 to
will traverse the Col de Joux Verte
to bring their own (prices start from
Sunday also sees the Run Bike Challenge for
Saturday 8 July 2017.
(1,700m), which links Morzine to
approximately £60 return). Inghams
two- to five-year-olds, a new discipline for the
The week has been designed to
Avoriaz, passing the stunning Lac
is offering the seven-night Cycling
youngest in the centre of the village with mini-
offer cycling enthusiasts a chance
de Montriond. All of Morzine’s
Adventure Week holiday to Morzine
bikes without pedals, easy to use, even for the
to climb mountains and take in
Inghams hotels provide bike
departing 1 July 2017 from £834pp
really small. crankworx.com/lesgets.com
Morzine’s breathtaking scenery with
storage and cleaning facilities.
on a half-board basis including
a professional guide.
Bikes are available to hire locally
return flights and airport transfers.
as their “Year of Sport”. Renowned for its plethora of international sporting icons and achievements, in addition to some of the better-known events such as the Run Barbados Marathon Series in December and Sol Rally Barbados in June 2017, it will see new events including the Barbados Cycling Festival in September and the Dragon World Stand-Up Paddling Championship in October.
@LTMOUNTAINS
LESS IS BEST LESS WEIGHT. MORE COMFORT.
LESS IS BEST LESS WEIGHT. MORE COMFORT. LESS WEIGHT. MORE COMFORT.
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23.06.2016 07:36:26
62:63:70 6102.60.32
038 // JUN17
@LTMOUNTAINS
Ultra-trail running is growing in popularity all around the world and there are a growing number of events for ultra-runners to choose from - many of them staged in stunning locations with beautiful mountain venues that both add to the challenge and give you breathtaking views to enjoy as you run.
distances besides the 100km possible and this year, the fourth staging
ultra-marathons. The route begins in the Italian mountain resort
of the race, will see the introduction of a 20km version (alongside the
of Cervinia (over the border from Zermatt), and takes racers on
existing 30km and 50km variants).
rough, stony tracks over five high mountain passes, passing
“The 20km run will have a total elevation gain of 1,700m, making it an
several Italian villages before crossing the border to the Swiss
ideal ‘starter’ trail/mountain run,” say the organisers.
village of Saas Fee as it circles Monte Rosa, the second highest
www.transylvania100k.com
peak in western Europe after Mont Blanc. The various ups and downs of the course involve 8,300m of vertical ascent, equal to
Hardrock 100 14–16 July 2017
climbing from base camp to the summit of Mount Everest twice.
One of the longest-established ultra-trail runs, or “endurance run” as it
ultratourmonterosa.com
Entry costs €195 (£166).
prefers to be called, the first Hardrock race was staged 25 years ago
For those not in the know, ultra-running typically involves races that
climbing and the exact same amount of vertical descent, participants
VMM: The Vietnam Mountain Marathon 22–24 September 2017
are at least twice as long as a marathon, and they can be much more,
have 48 hours to complete the run (most do so in an average of 41
Billed as “the hardest run in Vietnam!” the VMM offers trail running
with 24-hour races of no fixed length and even 1,000km, multi-day
hours from the 6am start).
of 10km, 21km, 42km, 70km or 100km on small dirt roads and narrow
events staged. Officially, though, an ultra-run is anything longer than
Apart from the length and vertical distance on the race, this run also covers
trails past thousands of yellow rice fields in a spectacular mountain
a 42km marathon. Most are 50km or 100km long and the “standard”
high mountain terrain between a low point of 2,340m (at Ouray) and a high
region of north Vietnam.
used for comparison of event is normally the 100k.
point of 4,180m (Handies Peak) so possible altitude sickness, extremes of
The trails range from the easy 10km with 600 vertical metres of gain
The good news for those who think they might want to try ultra-
weather and tough terrain are all factors beyond “just” the very long run.
to the very challenging 100k with 4,000 metres of vertical.
running but don’t want to dive straight in to a 50k or 100k race is that
www.hardrock100.com
In the latter category, the organisers warn, “Given the altitude
in 1992: 161km long and involving just over 10,000 metres of vertical
most events have perhaps five or six different races staged on the
and general hard conditions this cannot be your first Full or Ultra Marathon,” pointing out also that very strong sun or heavy rain is
and see how much you enjoy it.
Fire and Ice Ultra 28 August – 2 September
To add to the experiences, many events are offered in flexible travel
Described as “Tougher than the Marathon des Sables” by the five
“Any participation in this unique event is completely at your own risk
packages so you can, if you wish, add in some quality time taking in the
times winner of the infamous Moroccan Desert race, Mohamad
and you will be required to sign a waiver in order to participate.”
local culture around the race venue or just relaxing on a nearby beach.
Ahansal, the Fire and Ice Ultra is staged over the same 250km
vietnammountainmarathon.com
If you do get hooked (or are already) you’ll be joining a rapidly growing
distance but incorporates many of the most spectacular, unique,
global community of ultra-runners which has now nearly reached half a
remote and pristine aspects of the Icelandic environment to the ultra-
million from only an estimated 40,000 a decade ago, and the number
runner’s feet. The Icelandic interior means the nearest road is over
Ultra-Trail Cape Town 2 December 2017
of ultra-trail runs to participate in is growing fast, too, from fewer than
100 miles away from the race’s starting point, which allows the course
Cape Town in South Africa launched its own ultra-trail event four
1,000 in 2005 to nearly 4,000 to choose from in 2017. Here are 10 top
to take in glacial/volcanic plains, lava fields and deserts of ash. The
years ago, taking place in the southern hemisphere’s summer.
choices of ultra-trail runs in the mountains coming up in 2017:
route starts in the centre and heads north towards the lush meadows
Race options are 100km, 65km and 35km ultra-trail distances, each
as it gets closer to the coast, providing a variety of spectacular,
encompassing a route through one of the world’s most beautiful
challenging terrain and natural obstacles.
cities and on to the stunning Table Mountain. Entry costs from
Transylvania One Hundred 20 May 2017
fireandiceultra.com
around £90 for the shorter race to £200 for the 100km run but
A 100km ultra-trail run that begins and ends at Count Dracula’s
through sponsorship for the race’s environmental fund. Participant
castle has something of an added novelty value – does imagining
Ultra Tour Monte Rosa 6–9 September 2017
you’re running from (but ultimately returning to) the lair of the famous
Described as “beautiful and brutal”, the 116km introduced in
maximum of 1,000 racers allowed to take part.
vampire make you run any faster, then slower? There are a number of
2016 is one of the latest additions to the growing roster of
www.ultratrailcapetown.com
same few days, so you can just tackle a 10k or 15k race to start with
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
always a possibility in the mountains.
participants also have the option to raise 10,000 Rand (about £620) categories are Open 18–39, Vets 40–49 and Masters 50+, with a
039 // JUN17
M A D E I R A One of the most breathtaking islands on the planet, Madeira offers jaw-dropping mountain landscapes, rolling hills, lush green forests, sumptuous turquoise sea and mindblowing views that leave you speechless. It’s an undiscovered island paradise filled with wonder and surprise, with another view everywhere you turn and something new to make you gasp at its glory.
island that appeal to climbers and base jumpers alike. Best of all, it’s all largely untouched by mass tourism.
These enduro events are always great from a spectator angle. It’s all about a huge festival with lots going on and a really fun atmosphere. That means it’s great for everyone, not just people into bikes. The
A Mountain Biking Destination Like No Other As you would expect on such famously hilly mountain terrain, Madeira is a paradise for mountain bikers with hundreds of different options whether
ultimate goal is to be a part of a movement that motivates and inspires the local community and island visitors together in multiple ways, promoting biking in a social and healthy way.
Sensational SUP Opportunities
you enjoy enduro, cross-country or downhill biking, and whether you’d
In short, Madeira is quite possibly the most spectacular summer destination in the world. Whether you’re into mountain biking, SUP, hiking, history, festivals or culture, it’s got everything you could possibly want to see and do, probably more. For the action-sports lover there’s endless terrain offering all levels of challenge for hikers and bikers, coastal waters that are perfect for water sports like SUP, and even sheer cliffs on the
040 // JUN17 PROMO
like to do it for one day of your visit or the whole holiday. If you want to
Madeira is a major centre for the fastest-growing water sport in the
make it easy getting organised, companies like Freeride Madeira (www.
world, SUP. It’s immense fun, anyone can do it and Madeira offers super-
freeridemadeira.com) will do everything from hotel pick-ups, bike rentals
enchanting locations to try it out, providing an awesome way to see the
and guided tours for one inclusive price. Madeira hosted an incredible
island from a different perspective. The calm waters off the coast make
bike festival in early May (ewsmadeira.com/bike-festival) with the concept
it ideal for an introduction to the sport, and there are endless stunning
of developing an Enduro World Series stage in Madeira to connect
opportunities for experienced SUPers too. The islands have several
nature, high-quality trails, international athletes and the local community.
specialist SUP schools and guides who offer part- and full-day tours and
@LTMOUNTAINS
WHAT’S ON IN 2017 The people of Madeira know how to celebrate and are skilled in the art of hosting. To offset their famous peace and tranquillity, there are a number of celebrations and an extensive entertainment calendar throughout the year.
Atlantic Festival:
Weekends in June: 3, 10, 17, 24 Atlantic Festival marks the beginning of the summer season in Madeira. This festival consists of a number of shows that take place on all four consecutive Saturdays of June. With seaside shows combining music and fireworks in the wonderful city of Funchal, it’s very popular with visitors and residents alike!
Madeira Wine Festival: 27 Aug – 10 Sep
In late August and early September you can discover some of Madeira Wine’s secrets by attending the celebrations and activities that take place at the Wine Festival. Grape harvest is one of the “must do” experiences, as you can eventually participate and actually harvest some grapes.
Columbus Festival Porto Santo: 14 – 16 Sep
In September, Porto Santo holds the Columbus Festival, an authentic historic recreation of daily life on the island lessons. Many of these tours reach unique locations in these already
You can follow marked trails such as this yourself or join a guided
during famous explorer Christopher Columbus’s life in
unique islands which are difficult to access by larger watercraft. SUP tours
group, perhaps with a focus on Madeira’s fascinating history, flora or
the sixteenth-century. Musical concerts, sixteenth-century
into the magical Garajau Nature Reserve are one such option.
remarkable bird life. The choices are quite simply endless.
market, exotic dances, games, street entertainment, exhibitions and parades stand out in the wide festival agenda. Fun is guaranteed and excitement is a constant.
The World’s Best Hiking
Incredible Canyoning
Madeira is truly a paradise island for hikers with everything possible
Madeira is one of the best destinations in the world to practise
from a scenic stroll to a multi-day high-intensity hike. There is not only
canyoning. Guides can teach everyone, from beginners up, where to
a vast variety of walking routes on offer in terms of length and level
abseil down idyllic waterfalls then swim in crystal-clear pools and slide
of difficulty, but also a diverse range of walk types, from inland hikes
on naturally carved water slides.
This is the most recent event on the annual touristic agenda
through lush vegetation to coastal paths opening up magnificent
There are hundreds of options for everyone, from first-timers to
and aims to inspire visitors to be more active in terms of
vistas that are among the best you’ll find anywhere on earth.
the most expert, but the Ribeiro Frio Canyon, with six different
exploring nature in all its aspects. In the mountains, by
One such route is the popular Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto, a truly amazing
routes in, is one of the most beautiful places in Madeira to
air or by sea, the options are many, and all people can
walk that will touch your very soul and revive your inner spirit. As you hike
practise. The highest rappel here is about 20m. The canyon is
experience a wide variety of activities that include walks,
along the many incredible views that will leave you breathless with awe,
located within the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage
paragliding, sailing and much more. It’s a great opportunity
there are vistas of both the northern and eastern coasts of Madeira.
Site and a truly breathtaking landscape.
to enjoy lots of different activities at one time!
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
Madeira Nature Festival: 3 – 8 Oct
madeiraallyear.com/en
The skiing and boarding opportunities in Japan have been a talking point in the winter-sports community for some years now. The main message you get from the pictures and videos is POWDER! Amazing, light, chest-deep powder – the stuff that skiers’ dreams are made of.
less well-publicised attractions.
But first to that incredible skiing and
Ultimate Japan Ski Safari is all about.
and you can rely on Tokyo’s food scene for
That’s the spirit behind the brilliant Ultimate
boarding, because the Ultimate Japan Ski
All of Ski Safari’s trips are completely
a last taste of yakitori, ramen noodles and
Japan Ski Safari from the experts in this type
Safari offers the very best of Japan’s amazing
customisable, and you can alter the itinerary
fresh sushi before heading home (or, if you’re
of holiday worldwide, Ski Safari.
snowsports opportunities to those who
to suit your preferences. The company has
doing the trip backwards, heading off to the
Yes, this incredible trip will take you to some
don’t want the usual dilemma when heading
created a sample two-week itinerary you can
historic ski town of Nozawa Onsen).
of the best skiing and boarding you’ve ever
to Japan – needing to choose between
view online, but you can alter it any which way
If you are a committed skier/boarder, you
had, but it will also introduce Japan’s many
the “wild north” island of Hokkaido, home
you like, perhaps spending more time on one
do really have to go to Japan at some point,
other attractions including the amazing
to world-famous Niseko, and the famous
island than the other or soaking up the culture
and with the Ultimate Japan Ski Safari ticking
cultural experiences offered by the vast,
Olympic ski region of Nagano on the main
in the cities – perhaps visiting the geisha district
every box for the perfect Japanese ski trip,
modern capital Tokyo or the ancient city of
island – they want to do it ALL.
in Kyoto and tasting your way along Pontocho
then why not now! Visit skisafari.com
Kyoto (Japan’s former imperial capital). You’ll
And they don’t want to be restricted to the
restaurant alley. You can even follow the
But – while it’s true that the powder skiing
also sample the onsen culture, particularly
slopes and the group guided tours; they want
selected route in reverse if the fancy takes you.
and boarding is mind-blowing – many of the
in the hot springs of Nagano (some of which
the best back-country guiding in Hokkaido
Tokyo is a must-visit and the draft Ultimate
growing number of people who keep going
are famously popular with the local monkey
with local experts to take them to the very
Japan Ski Safari itinerary includes your last
back to Japan, winter after winter, perhaps
population too), and enjoy the wonderful
best off-piste areas in Japan as well as cat-
(or first) two nights here experiencing Tokyo’s
not having expected to on their first trip, go
cuisine and exceptional hospitality which
skiing, touring and just hunting out the best
malls, fish markets and neon cityscapes.
for the snow but stay for Japan’s many other
Japan offers.
powder during their stay. That’s what the
Oriental Bazaar is particularly good for gifts,
042 // JUN17
042 // JUN17 PROMO
SKISAFARI.COM/ULTIMATE-JAPAN-SKI-SAFARI
T H E U LT I M AT E
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE UNDERWEAR
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WORDS: THOM AS OSCHWALD
044 // JUN17
044 // JUN17
@LTMOUNTAINS
Switzerland is famous for its mountains. Massive peaks one after another build up to an insurmountable force. But in the middle of this barren mountain world you can find some real havens – the Swiss mountain lakes. They are hidden between the valleys and will enchant each visitor at first sight. Some of them are really big, but there are also some very small ones; however, they all sparkle like diamonds between the peaks.
and a good homemade breakfast. Personally I prefer the uncertain and unsettled. That’s why I like to sleep under the stars or in a small tent which I carry with me. You have to remember that it gets really cold at night, even in summer. Long trousers and shirts are absolutely essential, even when the temperatures are around 30˚C while walking up during the day. I once made the mistake of starting a tour with only one pair of shorts and one T-shirt, and that was exactly when I fell in the water and did not have spare clothing with me. Luckily I had a warm sleeping bag; however, it was still quite chilly during the night. Since then I have preferred to save weight in other areas. For example, you can use the SUP board to sleep on and drink water from the lakes and rivers in the mountains.
The Swiss mountain lakes are a massive magnet. Not
You might be surprised that I invest so much time and
only because they are beautiful, but also because
energy hiking all the way up just to paddle for quite
they are concealed high up between the mountains.
a short period in the end. As a passionate surfer and
Many you can only reach with a lot of effort and hours
extreme paddler, I’m used to spending a lot of time on
of walking (although some are easier to reach with
the board; usually the relationship with land and water
gondolas and cable cars to assist you if you wish!).
is the other way around. So, why carry an SUP board
Sometimes I will hike up to eight hours up the
for hours up the mountain when you could paddle on
mountains just to go paddling on a lake smaller than
any other lake you could easily reach by car?
a football field when I’m up there. That might sound
I actually ask that myself sometimes, especially when I
crazy and irrational, but that’s exactly what appeals to
climb up the very last metres before reaching the lake.
me, and why I do it again and again. I never wonder
The answer is quite simple: it takes me out of my comfort
why I force myself to walk all the way up when I could
zone to where I can unwind and develop my personality.
paddle around any other lake at ground level instead.
In the words of Paul Gauguin, “The biggest challenge in
Rather, I follow my urge to escape from the daily
life is to overcome the boundary in yourself and go to a
routine and define my life afresh every day.
point you never would have thought you would ever go.”
Whether alone or with my girlfriend, it’s adventure in
Anyone who has experienced floating on a lake up in
nature that is most important. I escape from civilisation,
the Swiss mountains and felt the magic there knows
looking for thrills in my homeland. I don‘t travel far;
what I’m talking about. Some might look for the perfect
instead, I try to find the challenge in my immediate
wave; I am looking for the perfect moment high up in
environment.
the Alps. In the shadow of the mountains, I can explore
Starting spontaneously does not mean not having a
my personality, and each paddle stroke makes me feel
goal. The proper organisation of the route as well as
more alive.
ensuring I have the right gear are essential on each
About the author: Always looking for new challenges
trip. But I always like to keep a bit of uncertainty when
in sports and everyday life, Thomas Oschwald
choosing my routes. This is never based on safety but
constantly pushes his limits. Thomas’s inner conviction
always on physical considerations. The safety aspect is
brings him both small and large challenges in life. They
most important to me, but I also like to fail sometimes,
make him acutely aware of what he experiences as
and that’s why I always challenge my body in new
he breaks out of the daily routine and steps into new
ways to see if I can manage the route I have chosen.
worlds. As an extreme paddler, Thomas rejects the
Switzerland has many stunning mountain lakes.
easy path. A journey, a dream or an adventure should
Some are easy to reach by bike, others only via an
never lose its sense of uncertainty and always offer the
exhausting climb. Depending on how much time I have
chance to make the impossible possible. This pursuit
and how motivated I am, I either plan a short tour with
of new directions widens his horizons; never standing
my bike or a longer hiking trip for a couple of days.
still makes Thomas complete.
That is the beauty of the Swiss Alps – you have lots of possibilities with different degrees of difficulty close together – definitely something for everybody. I would recommend starting with a smaller tour. The
SUP on Swiss Mountain Lakes the Easy Way
weight of the inflatable SUP on your back should not
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
be underestimated. If you also take camping gear,
If you’d like to enjoy SUP on a Swiss mountain lake
the weight of your backpack can easily be more than
but don’t yet have Thomas’s experience, attitude and
20kg. So, after the first three hours of walking or biking
mountain or SUP skills, the good news is you can still
up, the load of the backpack will start to hurt your
enjoy SUP on Swiss mountain lakes without so much
shoulders. Nevertheless, I never give up, and carry on
effort getting there. Most leading Swiss resorts have
step by step, even though the muscles are tired as I
SUP rentals, and often instructors are happy to teach
get closer to my destination but also closer to myself.
first-timers or guide the more experienced on their
I often go with my girlfriend and to save some weight
mountain lakes.
we only take one SUP with us. In that way, we can split
For example, there are three stations to rent SUPs in
the gear into three bags and share the board up on
St Moritz: the Segel-Club (sailing club), the Murtaröl
the lake afterwards. Sometimes we stay over in one of
restaurant and Windsurfing Silvaplana, who also offer
the mountain huts, which are quite often located close
SUP courses, SUP tours and even yoga classes on
to the lakes – nothing wrong with a comfortable sleep
SUP boards (windsurfing-silvaplana.ch).
045 // JUN17
The superbike of all mountain bikes will be with us this autumn with a price tag to match. The Hope HB 211 is the long-hoped-for creation of Ian Weatherill and the late Simon Sharp, co-founders and owners of the iconic bike parts company for many years.
This gives Hope access to some of the world’s most talented carbon-fibre engineers, right on their doorstep. Cutting and laying up the carbon sheet is quite a labour-intensive process, but keeping production on site in Barnoldswick gives them total confidence in the quality of parts they can produce. The company also already uses CNC machinery (incredibly precise computer-controlled equipment) to create their components as a matter of course, so again they had the advantage that they have every
HOPE HB 211 Cost around £7,500
046 // JUN17
Weatherill and Sharp’s company have been making
part already available to the very highest standard,
some of the world’s best bike parts since they
except the frame.
introduced the Hope disc brake to mountain bikes
Since Hope’s existing products are manufactured
in the late 1980s. Expanding over the years, Hope
using the processes most companies only use to
Technology has become renowned in the industry for
produce their first prototypes (that is, CNC machined
being pioneering, innovative, of exceptionally high
rather than cast or precision forged), it’s not been
quality and stunning looking, and parts are still British
an unusual experience for them. The challenge was
designed and manufactured.
taking their skill at producing small batches of bike
The company now employ over 100 people, run their
components and scaling it up to production quantities.
Lancashire factory in Barnoldswick 24/7, export to
This bike uses very few current standards since it has
more than 40 countries worldwide and make pretty
been developed as a design concept rather than a
much every component of a mountain bike except
product design exercise. Maybe not the best solution
the frame, and that’s what’s about to change.
for compatibility, but when you make every part,
Making a complete bike had been a dream of
it gives you the opportunity to manufacture a bike
Simon’s for many years, and for Ian it continues to
without compromise.
be. But it’s never been about the idea of becoming a
So what started years ago as a design concept is
bike brand, but rather just to have the satisfaction of
finally being brought to realisation by September
producing a complete bike.
this year in the incredible Hope HB 211, which the
Initial ideas back in 2005 were for a welded steel
company summarise as being a “160mm travel
frame, but as technology moved on over the years,
All Mountain/Trail/Enduro style bike.” It’s British
so their ideas moved to carbon. Carbon is lighter,
designed and manufactured and looks set to be the
stiffer and stronger than steel so the best material to
superbike of mountain bikes and a mountain bike
use, giving a stiffer ride than steel.
at the very cutting edge of technology. Potentially
There’s a wealth of knowledge around carbon fibre in
the ultimate MTB, it will set you back around £7,500.
the UK, with the majority of the current F1 teams being
Register your interest in owning one of the first on
based here as well as a thriving aerospace industry.
the Hope website.
HOPETECH.COM/HB-211 @INTHESNOWMAG
LEARN FRENCH AND ENJOY ACTIVITIES The Alpine French School is running new residential summer camps which focus on learning or improving French combined with adventure activities. The summer camp is between one and six weeks long in July and August and suitable for all levels of French language. During the afternoons, activities including white-water rafting, Adventure Park, rock climbing, horse riding and mountain biking are offered. alpinefrenchschool.com
THIS IS THE AGE OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN TRAIN Llama Travel offer the opportunity to explore Peru by train on Latin America’s debut luxury sleeper train. Visit Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu, followed by a three-day luxury train journey from Cusco to Arequipa, via Lake Titicaca. It’s a truly unique way to explore the striking scenery of the Andean highlands while being treated like royalty aboard the Andean Explorer train.
IS THIS THE UK’S TOUGHEST MTB RACE?
BRITISH DOWNHILL MTB SERIES GEARS UP FOR 2017 After kicking off its 2017 season at Nant Gwrtheyrn (“Nant G”) in Gwynedd, Wales, in April and seeing Round 2 in May in Fort William, Scotland, the British World Cup, the national
sponsored by HSBC along with various
weekend will follow the same format.
10 runs or more if they wanted it with
British bike companies, moves on
“The start of practice on Saturday allows
very short queuing times.”
to Round 3 on 17/18 June at
riders not in Expert or Elite to get two
Round 4 will be on 29/30 July at Moelfre,
Rhyd-Y-Felin, Bala.
full runs in to learn the track and get up
Powys, Round 5 on 19/20 August
Race divisions include Junior Women,
to speed,” said a statement from the
at Llangollen, Clwyd, and the series
Women, Juvenile Men, Youth Men, Junior
organisers. “With a limit of 250 riders
will conclude with Round 6 on 16/17
Lowepro will see competitors trying to squeeze as
downhill mountain biking series
Men, Senior Men, Master Men, Veteran
and the same amount of uplift booked for
September at Hopton, Shropshire.
many runs as they possibly can into no less than
supported by British Cycling and
Men and Grand Veteran Men. Each race
320 riders, we saw riders easily getting
fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk
Outdoor Capital of the UK’s Fort William will be staging what’s being billed as the UK’s toughest mountain bike race on Saturday 8 July. The Fort William Endurance Downhill competition organised by No Fuss Events and sponsored by
six hours.
STAY WITH A FAMILY IN SARAWAK Take the family on a fun-packed and active wildlife adventure around Sarawak. Cycling through the streets of Kuching, families will go searching for frogs in the Kubah National Park before hopping on a jungle boat on the mighty Santubong, a haven for wildlife. No trip to Borneo is complete without seeing some orangutans, so there’s also a visit to a centre for endangered, rescued or orphaned wildlife along with beach
MORE BRITS HOLIDAYING IN UK
DUAL SKI & MTB INSTRUCTOR?
Britain’s largest outdoor retailer, GO Outdoors, has published data detailing how
If you’ve always dreamed of being a ski instructor but wondered how you’d
the British public now choose to holiday. With staycations on the rise and costs
keep busy in the summer without travelling to the southern hemisphere, an
of holidays spiralling, 87% of holidaymakers surveyed said they are happier to
all-new course for 2017 offered by Snoworks GAP could be your answer.
forgo a foreign holiday and have a family UK vacation instead. Sales of outdoor
The new four-week course running from 24 June to 22 July combines a
An apparently hungry base jumper, Quentin
equipment at GO Outdoors backed this trend, the company reported, and have
BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors) Level 1 qualification with
Lucon, posted a 44-second video of himself
doubled in the past year with camping equipment being most popular.
a MIAS (Mountain-Bike Instructors Award Scheme) Level 1 and 2 mountain
The poll of 2,878 people from a random sample, including 1,022 parents with
bike instructor qualification all in the one course. The course fee includes
children under 16 years old, revealed that parents said that they were also more
three weeks’ (half days) ski training, including performance training, teacher
in his mouth. The burger stays intact for the first
likely to take part in active outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping and canoeing,
training, race training and BASI Level 1 ski instructor exam, plus three
20 seconds or so despite the G-force on it before
when they are on a UK holiday, when compared to a trip abroad (28%) with 72%
weeks of half days of mountain bike training, including technical training,
it disintegrates about halfway through the film,
going on long walks when on a British break.
leadership skills, technician ability and navigation and MIAS Level 1 and 2
leaving Lucon with a mouthful left to chew and
More than eight out of 10 travellers said that going abroad was now too stressful,
mountain bike exams. It costs £4,950 to get the dual qualifications.
swallow after he safely lands.
while a holiday in the UK allowed them to have more fun and not feel exhausted
time too. rickshawtravel.co.uk
EATING A BURGER WHILST BASE JUMPING jumping off a Swiss mountain after taking a few bites of a burger and with the burger still clamped
when they got home.
048 // JUN17
@LTMOUNTAINS
RECORD BREAKING MOUNTAIN COASTERS If you’ve not been to a mountain resort that has one, your first question might be, “What’s a mountain coaster?” The answer is simple: a downhill roller coaster.
Longest In The World:
Nearly 50 have now been installed around the world,
Steepest In The World:
Naturlandia, Andorra
The longest mountain coaster in the world is reported to be at Naturlandia, an outdoor activities theme park in Andorra. The coaster, named the Tobotronc, is reported to be a remarkable 5.3km long, descending 400 vertical metres over its length between the park’s two bases at 2,000m and 1,600m above sea level.
mostly at ski resorts. There are several different
Mieders, Austria
manufacturers and designs (some with a single,
Mieders is a small village with a population of around
central monorail, others with multiple rails), but the
1,600 that’s close to Innsbruck, capital of the Tirol
concept is the same. You use the ski lifts that are
region. The village’s summer toboggan run at the little
popular in winter to get skiers and boarders up the
Serlesbahnen ski area is officially the world’s steepest
slopes, and in summer for mountain bikers, to bring
alpine coaster and one of the longest, too, at 2.8km.
riders up to the start of the downhill roller coaster.
The monorail-style coaster extends from the top station
While conventional theme park roller coasters need
to the base station of the gondola, leading through the
to ratchet your car up to the top of a slope to get you
lower wooded slopes of the forest, parallel to the route
moving, with mountain coasters the ski lift does the
of the cable car.
work and it’s just a case of heading back downhill, usually one or two to a car.
Fastest In The World:
For ski resorts, mountain coasters help them spread
Funbob, Italy
their business through the year, with a major summer
Most of the world’s alpine coasters have fairly similar
attraction, although most operate in winter too.
maximum speeds of around 32–40 kph, but one claims
Here are the five that claim to be the longest,
to be marginally faster than the rest with a top speed of
highest, steepest and fastest.
48kph. The Funbob Alpine Coaster in Italy is 650m long and, like Mieders, has a monorail design.
Highest In The World:
Newest Mountain Coaster:
The mountain coaster at Glacier 3000, located high
Christchurch Adventure Park, a mountain bike park
above the village of Les Diablerets, close to Gstaad in
in New Zealand, is due to get a mountain coaster by
Switzerland, begins at 2,971m above sea level and is
December this year (2017); in the meantime, Revelstoke
1,000m long. Because of the altitude, and its location in
in BC, Canada, installed a 1.4km-long coaster, “The
a glacier world of eternal ice, it’s particularly important
Pipe”, in spring 2016, which drops 279 vertical metres
to dress up warm to ride this one!
over its 1.4km length.
Glacier 3000, Switzerland
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Revelstoke, Canada
049 // JUN17
EPIC D ES T I N AT I O N S
050 // JUN17
@INTHESNOWMAG
Why not plan a trip to somewhere epic for your next adventure? The world is full of amazing destinations and it’s never been easier to reach them. The toughest part is often just choosing where to go first. Here are six of Love The Mountains amazing, epic destinations to get you started:
The Azores Way out in the Atlantic, west of Portugal, the sunsplashed Azores are a group of nine islands that leave visitors stunned by their natural beauty. With spectacular volcanos, deep azure blue lakes and pools, towering cliffs and numerous beaches, but almost entirely unspoilt with no “resorts” to speak of, the Azores are a very special place and are now on the prestigious ‘Global Top Sustainable Destinations’ too, achieving a score of 8.9 out of 10 possible points
Uganda’s Murchison Falls
The Azores
on the list, which recognises the management of the most sustainable destinations on Earth. group that stands out the most, but arguably the sparsely
are part of the Murchison Falls National Park and
populated island of Flores, just 10 miles long and 7 wide
Conservation Area. This collective area covers over
at its widest point, is the wildest of the bunch. Together
2,000 square miles (5,300 sq km) of protected land.
with the island of Corvo, which is 17.9km away, it forms
The Nile River is the source of the falls. Murchison
the most westerly group of the Azores Archipelago and
falls plummets 141 feet (43m) after squeezing
is officially the westernmost point of Europe too – next
through a narrow gorge that creates a powerful
stop North America! Despite its small size, the interior of
and magnificent waterfall. The Murchison Falls area
the island quickly rises to a highest point of 900m – more
features four of the “Big 5” species with only the
than half a mile high – and a relatively short steep hike
rhino being absent. The government is breeding
reveals an unspoilt oasis of waterfalls and lakes, 600m
rhinos and looking to reintroduce them back into
up, including the twin Lagoa Negra and Lagoa Comprida
area. Wildlife lovers will also find crocodiles, hippos,
lakes. Lagoa Negra is about 100m deep, and a beautiful
giraffes and many other favourites making this
waterfall flows right into Lagoa Comprida.
pinnacle a wonder of nature.
The Melissani Cave of Greece
Arizona’s Havasu Falls
THOMAS HIRSCH
It’s difficult to choose a destination within the island Located in the northwest part of Uganda, the falls
Indonesia’s Mount Bromo
Havasu Falls are not easy to reach, but it’s worth it. Greece is famous for many things – its ancient history,
It actually takes four to five hours just to get to the
its islands, its beach culture – but its most famous
trailhead for Havasu Falls from Lake Havasu City, then,
sights are generally ancient Greek temples and other
it is a ten-mile hike to the waterfall from the trailhead. It
buildings, not nature’s wonders.
sounds like a lot of work (and it is), but the payoff from
Greece, and its islands, is however full of many such
hiking to Havasu Falls is well worth it. Havasu Falls is
wonders, not least of which are the Melissani Caves
known worldwide and has appeared in many television
on the island of Kefaloni in The Ionian Sea. In Greek
shows and magazines. The bright blue-green water
mythology Melissani was the Cave of the Nymphs and
contrasting against the red rocks of the canyon make
it lay undiscovered, apparently, for centuries, possibly
for a truly awe-inspiring view. Havasu Falls plunges
millennia, before being found again in the 1950s.
more than 30m into a wide pool of beautiful, clear
You enter the caves by boat, with a wide, jagged
water. Havasu Falls is a wonderful destination to visit
entrance marking the entry to an old system of
on your way to or from Lake Havasu City, adding to an
underground tunnels. The whole experience is both
already exciting road trip.
exciting and slightly intimidating. But then the sky reappears as you float in to a great pool, encircled by steep rock walls which are covered in lush plant life.
Norway’s Pulpit Rock
The huge natural “sky light” allows the bright sun to illuminate the water in a vibrant turquoise that reflects
Norway is of course a country that is chock-full of epic
off the cave walls for a magical effect.
destinations, and it’s a nation of hikers, bikers and in
Arizona’s Havasu Falls
wintertime, skiers, who know how to make the most of
Indonesia’s Mount Bromo
the country’s numerous natural attractions. But Pulpit Rock is one of the contenders for the “most amazing location in Norway” title. Not for the faint-
The Melissani Cave of Greece
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Mount Bromo is a gently smoking volcano that rises
hearted, particularly those who suffer from vertigo, the
from a plain known as the “Sea of Sand” in East Java,
rock hangs more than a third of a mile straight up above
Indonesia. At 2,329m (7,641 ft) it is not the highest peak
the fjord, and there are no safety barriers at the edge.
of the massif, but is the most well known as it’s so
In fact around 200,000 people visit the rock each
stunningly beautiful. It’s actually a small active volcano
year, and there have been no deaths other than a few
inside the much larger caldera of an ancient extinct
suicides. The authorities decided that putting in safety
volcano.
barriers might actually be more dangerous if people
The name Bromo derives from the Javanese
opted to climb on the barriers to show off.
pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu creator god,
As well as the 604m drop from the plateau down
and the area is one of the most visited attractions in
to Lysefjord, visitors can also view the Kjerag peak,
Indonesia, despite the fact that it is sometimes closed
which itself is 984m straight up. The rock is located
to visitors as the volcano erupts, most recently (at time
at Preikestolen and only 25km (16 miles) from
of going to press) in 2010. Every year Javanese Hindus
Norway’s fourth largest city, Stavanger. It’s about a
congregate here for their Kasada Festival during which
90-minute hike to the viewpoint from the car park at
live chickens are thrown into the crater as an offering!
the trail head.
Norway’s Pulpit Rock
051 // JUN17
BOTH IMAGES: MARCELO MARAGNI / RED BULL CONTENT POOL
New MTB World Downhill Speed Record
052 // JUN17
Austrian biker Markus “Max” Stöckl has set a new world speed record on a mountain bike by hitting a top speed of 167.6 kph on a standard mountain bike.
“The whole project is an adventure,” he said. “This is
For two years, Markus “Max” Stöckl laid out a plan to
certain goal then you have to put it all in.”
put himself in the record books yet again.
Stöckl was a sight to behold on the bike. In a specially
And, in just 11 seconds and at a speed of 167.6 kph
designed, figure-hugging suit, he effectively had
with a standard mountain bike, whose components
rudders attached to his legs under the material and
you could buy yourself on the high street, he reached
a helmet in two parts – the first a normal helmet, the
that speed hurtling down a mountain with no name in
second aerodynamically designed to ensure the least
Chile’s Atacama Desert. Stöckl has a penchant for the
air resistance possible, the logic being the less air
record books. Brought up in the Austrian mountains,
resistance, the quicker he could go.
his thirst for speed was established at a young age,
A carbon-fibre helmet, outfit and bike were all tested
his place in the speed annals first cemented in 1999.
in a wind tunnel to find the best design and seating
In the interim, records have been set at the French
position for his latest record attempt.
ski resort of Les Arcs and on a volcano in Nicaragua,
But perhaps the most notable part of the record
among others. But, for his latest attempt – sealed
attempt is that the bike is one that you or I could put
following eight practice runs – it was the barren
together… albeit with some effort and expertise.
Chilean desert with barely anything in sight from the
“It’s a standard mountain bike so there’s no part on
4,000m highest point from which he set off. With the gravel slope of 45º deemed the perfect
the bike that you cannot buy,” he added. “Sure, it’s a
angle for his record, the 43-year-old’s pulse hit the
buy any part: nothing has been specially made.”
170-beats-per-minute mark, the wind whistling past
The preparation to get there included testing runs on
his ears on a 1,200m descent in a place 11,000km
all manner of surfaces from the snow of home to the
from his home in Austria’s Tirol mountains.
Chilean mountains, including his fair share of falls,
Speaking emotionally moments after the finish and
unsurprising with the speeds in question.
his latest record, he said: “I’m back on the mountain
Stöckl admits to being perpetually on the precipice
without a name in the middle of the desert. It’s tricky
of just one wrong move, his only protection being an
because it’s all rocky and loose at the start. It was
airbag built in to his riding outfit.
such a long time and standing up there was like we
“When above 160kph, each and every extra
already cried at the start. It was great fun.”
kilometre per hour requires an enormous effort. If
But for Stöckl, as thrilling as the successful record
you want to get an idea of the air resistance, you
attempt was, it was just as much about the two years
only have to stick your hand out of the car window
in its making.
when you’re driving at 150 or 160kph!”
the top bit of it but also travelling here with all the stuff and making our way through the middle of the desert.” His journey to 100kph and then 120, he insisted, was straightforward, but, as the descent ran out, the increased speed was harder to come by. “It’s hard to reach top speed,” he explained. “After 160, each kph is a huge effort. If you want to reach a
high-end bike with the best parts on it, but you can
@LTMOUNTAINS
GIBRALTAR’S THRILL SEEKERS TRAIL Visit Gibraltar have announced that Gibraltar’s first suspension bridge, Windsor Bridge at Royal Anglican Way, has opened as part of a new Thrill Seekers Trail. The bridge is 71m long and is constructed over a 50m gorge. It forms part of a sustainable tourism initiative to restore parts of the Upper Rock country walks and to encourage a healthier outdoor lifestyle. The Thrill Seekers Trail complements other restored paths, including Nature Lover, History Buff and Let’s Go Ape.
UNSPUNNEN RETURNS AFTER 12 YEARS The Unspunnenfest is a unique festival held in the stunning Swiss resort of Interlaken amongst the dramatic Jungfrau mountains. Staged just once every 12 years, 2017 is THE year (unless you want
NEW OUTDOOR SPORTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR WALES
to wait until the next one in 2029), and 150,000 visitors are expected between 26 August and 3 September to see traditional mountain contests in wrestling, stone throwing, yodelling and other truly extraordinary activities.
The Lightning Seeds, Scouting For Girls and Toploader have been confirmed as the headline music acts for a major new music and action outdoor sports outdoor festival
and 12 and is expected to attract up
company behind the spectacularly
to 10,000 people. According to the
successful Keswick Mountain Festival.
organisers, it was the perfect location
“Because we’re surrounded by
for the event because North Wales
mountains and water this kind
had already developed a reputation
of festival is perfect,” said Bala
as the adventure capital of Europe
Business Association vice-chair
combining adventure sports and live
and had been named among the
Heledd Roberts.
The unusual sport of volcano boarding
music that will be launched in North
top places in the world to visit in
Activities being organised include
is reported to be growing in popularity
Holy Sanctuary in Loiola to the medieval walled
Wales this summer. The Snowdonia
2017 in Lonely Planet’s annual Best
hiking, canoeing, stand-up paddle
with two locations now available for
town of Laguardia in the wine-rich Rioja Alavesa,
Outdoor Festival will be staged on
in Travel list. The event will be held
boarding, swimming, climbing and
first-timers to try it for themselves – one
the walk passes through the meditative limestone
the picturesque shores of Llyn Tegid
on a site at Gwern Hefin Farm and is
mountain biking walls.
version of volcano boarding is treated
landscapes of Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, the
at Bala on the weekend of August 11
the brainchild of Brand Events, the
snowdonia-outdoorfestival.co.uk
as an adventure sport, the other as a
Biozkonia Pass (spanning 1,200 miles) and the
WALK ST IGNATIUS WAY VOLCANO BOARDING GROWS IN POPULARITY
(very) extreme sport.
Ramblers Walking Holidays have introduced a new walk, St Ignatius Way, for 2017 – a lesserknown Spanish camino through spectacular Basque countryside. Covering 70 miles, from the
lush Cantabrian Mountains.
Volcano boarding – essentially snowboarding on a board of metal or wood over dirt and gravel down the
POUND RISES IN VALUE
tried on the Cerro Negro Volcano in
Bosch are launching a new riding mode for their
Nicaragua, which hasn’t erupted since
CX eMountain bikes which they say will ensure
1999, or on Mount Yasur in the Vanuatu
a natural riding sensation for the rider as well
Islands west of Fiji, which is constantly
as optimal support on different types of terrain.
erupting and where there is a danger of being hit by volcanic debris or inhaling toxic gas while descending. In Nicaragua, volcano boarding on
NEW MTB TRAIL FOR LAKE MAGGIORE
eMTB UPGRADES
steep sides of a live volcano – can be
728m-high Cerro Negro is offered by Vapues Tours. It takes about an hour to
Depending on the pedal pressure, the new eMTB mode provides progressive motor assistance adapted automatically to suit the biker’s individual riding technique. Rather than any mechanical changes to the CX range, the bike can be upgraded with a software update.
climb the volcano, but the descent by board can be completed in as little as
EXPLORE A VOLCANO MOONSCAPE
Mountain biking fans looking for
point of Alpe di Neggia at 1,395m.
a bus service if you want to avoid
three minutes. Volcano boarders wear
new destinations this summer
The total route includes 1,318m
this climb – you can put your bike
a protective jumpsuit and goggles,
should consider a spectacular
of vertical climb and the same of
on the bus).
and the experience costs from $25pp
new mountain bike trail that has
descent and takes five hours 20
After a winding stretch up to the
(about £19pp) depending on how
been created for spring 2017 in the
minutes to complete, usually.
Alpe di Neggia (1,395m above sea
many people take part. Gear, training,
cultural walking tour to discover La Réunion, the
Gambarogno region of Switzerland’s
The route starts and ends at the
level), you will find a breathtaking
a bilingual guide and a post-boarding
rainbow French département in the Indian Ocean.
southerly canton of Ticino.
Magadino-Vira rail station; it’s a
panorama over Lake Maggiore;
drink in a local restaurant are all
The adventurous 21.7km-long trail,
12km ride to Vira Gambarogno,
then its 8km of descent will take
provided for the price.
which overlooks spectacular Lake
where the road takes you to Alpe
you down 1,300 vertical metres on
active volcano, swimming and snorkelling from
Maggiore, starts on the shores of the
di Neggia, with an average uphill
one of the most adventurous single
a sand beach protected by offshore coral reefs
lake before a climb to the highest
gradient of about 10% (there is also
trails in the entire region. ticino.ch
Kudu Travel have introduced a new two-week
Highlights include walking through tropical forests, exploring the moonscape of La Réunion’s
and visiting historic coffee and sugar estates, botanical gardens and museums depicting the island’s fascinating history.
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WIN £250
Love The Mountains have teamed up with ChaletFinder to give one of you lucky readers the chance to WIN £250 off your next mountain holiday when booked through ChaletFinder have been advertising chalets and apartments across the world for over 20 years. Whether it’s summer or winter, skiing, mountain biking, hiking or just relaxing in the sun, ChaletFinder have accommodation to suit everybody.
DAMIAN MCARTHUR YVAN TISSEYRE
DAMIAN MCARTHUR
To enter go to LoveTheMountains.co.uk/competitions and enter your details. If you want to be entered twice into the draw then follow ChaletFinder on Instagram @ChaletFinder
Competition End Date: 30 June 2017 | Voucher expires: 31 October 2017 | Terms: Voucher can be used against any property with availability on the ChaletFinder website for any summer or winter accommodation booking | Voucher can only be redeemed by booking through the ChaletFinder office team | ChaletFinder are not responsible for any travel arrangements or hire of sports equipment | Holiday must be taken anytime from 1 July 2017 – 30 September 2018 | Competition Details: Lucky draw for data share
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IN ASSOCIATION WITH
CANYON
Endurace CF SLX Disc 8.0 FROM £3899 | CANYON.COM
No two rides are the same. When you need a bike that covers you for any scenario, the Endurace comes calling. Combining endurance-optimised Sport Geometry with a host of features designed to enhance control and comfort.
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OSPREY
Beta SL Jacket
Sirrus 26 Pack
£99.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/292511
When the rain starts to fall, simply pull this lightweight shell from your pack.
Women-specific daypack packed with
Waterproof GORE-TEX Paclite, user-
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friendly features and a trim, hip-length
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fit make this essential wet weather kit.
but integrated raincover for
HIKE
£259.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/233341
inclement weather.
MOUNTAIN HARDWARE
Lamina Z Spark
£129.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/294249 Great choice for UK camping during the warmer months. This synthetic sleeping bag is warm, water-resistant, durable and compressible.
LA SPORTIVA
Men’s Trango Tower GTX
£264.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/237017
PETZL
Meteor 4 Helmet
Designed for mountain hiking, via
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ferratas and more, this boot combines high-tenacity uppers with GORETEX,
Petzl’s signature lightweight helmet,
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the Meteor 4 is cool, comfortable and
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easy to adjust – ideal for climbing and mountaineering alike. (Size 2)
GOAL ZERO
Lighthouse Mini
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PETZL
As well as providing a great light
Reactik+ Headlamp
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PRIMUS
CampFire Cookset
£44.44 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/249028
full phone charge from its USB port.
This clever head torch automatically
For all your cooking needs; two pots,
adapts brightness to your
two lids with integrated colanders,
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frying pan with foldaway handle, all in
mode for night vision.
a handy storage bag.
SALOMON
Men’s Speedcross 4
£99.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/243844 Salomon’s best-selling off-trail shoe for the toughest conditions, it combines an aggressive sole pattern with a sleek fit and easy-to-use lacing system for a precise fit.
MSR
Hubba Hubba NX Tent £389.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/259001
The Hubba Hubba NX is an ultralight, threeseason backpacking tent. With a unique pole configuration, head and elbow room is maximised for improved comfort. The freestanding design is easy to pitch, a low flysheet and StayDry doors protect in wet weather, and it compresses down small to fit into a backpack with ease.
056 // JUN17
@LTMOUNTAINS
VANGO
Harmony Single S. Sleeping bag
£39.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/245031 Soft fabric and a roomy rectangular design make this a great choice for relaxed summer camping. Comes in a compression stuff sack.
SALOMON
Crossamphibian Swift Women’s
GARMIN
Fenix 5X Sapphire Multisport Watch
£629.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/262063
£69.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/243404 Quick-drying, breathable anti-debris mesh uppers, a collapsible heel and quick lacing for a precise fit, this can
Offering extensive multi-sports modes,
handle rock, river and sand – a truly
long battery life and fantastic in-depth
versatile summer shoe.
exercise tracking, the Fenix 5X Sapphire combines style and performance for
PATAGONIA
demanding athletes and outdoor
Quandary Pants
adventurers.
£74.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM. COM/217631
S U M M E R
SMARTWOOL
Run Light Elite
Lightweight, stretchy and quick-drying, the Quandary Pants are a superb choice for
ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/219064 £14.99
summer hiking. The nylon/ spandex blend allows plenty of movement, while the straight
Targeted cushioning provides comfort, mesh ventilation zones,
leg and slim fit add the finishing touches to this agile trouser.
aid temperature control and Indestructawool technology ensures they’ve got the durability needed to last run
SALOMON
Trail 20 Pack £49.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.
after run
COM/241030 Salomon’s popular trail pack offers streamlined looks,
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
balanced load distribution and ease of use for runnning, biking and more. Hydration bladder compatible.
£21.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/219080
£29.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/272007
Outdoor Med Crew
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
MSR
SMARTWOOL
PocketRocket 2
Top quality merino meets Indestructawool
MSR have taken their iconic model
technology to produce a walking sock
and made it lighter, smaller and able to
that’s hard to beat. Offering impressive
accommodate a wider range of pots.
durability, a fantastic fit and comfort
With a powerful burner, precise flame
from the word go, they’re the perfect
control and a tiny pack size, it’s a great
companion when you’re out in the hills.
choice for lightweight adventures.
HIKE
057 // JUN17
SALOMON
Bonatti Jacket
BLACK DIAMOND
Men’s Solution
£129.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/240701
£64.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/133020
Made from AdvancedSkin Dry, the
The Solution is a superior harness for
Bonatti WP jacket provides light,
sport climbing. Fusion Comfort Technology
breathable, wet weather protection so
distributes weight evenly and reduces pressure
you can tackle the daily run with ease.
points for comfort that lasts as long as you do.
Weighing in at just 210g, this light, breathable, waterproof running jacket effectively manages moisture and is cut for unlimited freedom of movement.
HIKE
KEEN
Wmn’s Terradora Mid WP
£109.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/287242 Lightweight support, waterproof protection, underfoot cushioning and great aesthetics make this a great mid
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT
height boot for all outdoor aspirations.
Wmn’s Chamois Pants £79.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/228319 A proven bestseller, perfect as a yearround option for climbing and trekking on technical terrain and in fluctuating temperatures.
GOPRO
Hero5
£299.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/672009
LOWE
Alpine AirZone Pro
4K video, one-button simplicity and voice control in a small, rugged, waterproof
£109.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/200251
design. Built-in Bluetooth and wi-fi and supplied with two mounts.
Adaptable capacity means this pack can switch between day hikes and lightweight overnight stays with ease. Great ventilation, comfort and support plus an integrated raincover.
OSPREY
Talon 22 Pack
£89.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/292482
HIKE
THERM-A-REST
NeoAir XLite REG Camping Mats
£134.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/230256 A true all-rounder from city commuting to exploring the outdoors, this 22-litre
Folds into a small stuff sack, weighs
capacity pack has adaptable storage
just 350g, yet really warm thanks to the
options including pole attachment,
ThermaCapture technology.
helmet attachment and bike light point.
INOV-8
Wmn’s Roclite 305
£114.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/290415 A great choice for varied terrain, the Roclite 305 provides a great fit and feel. Cushioned, supportive and really grippy.
058 // JUN17
@LTMOUNTAINS
FIVE TEN
Wall Master VCS
PRIMUS
Onja Stove
£69.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/135315
£114.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/249009
With comfortable, breathable leather
Compact, portable and stylish, this two-
uppers that mould to the foot and a stiff
burner gas stove is suitable for large
sole providing structure and support,
pots. Oak lid doubles as chopping board.
S U M M E R
these will perform at the gym, on multipitches and more. (Size 7–12)
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
DMM
Mantis/Belay Master 2 Set
£29.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/128604 Perfect for climbers building confidence on their belaying skills, the easy-to-use Mantis has been paired
with the super-safe Belay Master 2.
INOV-8
MONTANE
Spine GTX Jacket
£249.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/214039
Long Tights
£59.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/295458
The Spine jacket is a waterproof, breathable shell with a minimalist design to suit
This full-length running tight delivers
mountain runners. Tailored to be worn
outstanding freedom of movement,
over low-bulk layers, this superlight piece
next-to-skin comfort and support
includes only the essentials so you stay light
in one. Ideal for training in cooler
and mobile when the weather closes in.
temperatures, they include a zipped rear pocket and dual mesh pockets designed for storing energy gels.
ULTIMATE DIRECTION
AK Mountain Vest
RUN
£119.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/644002 From ultra marathons to endurance
LOWE
training days, this new vest has 11.5 litres
of storage, including open and zipped
Alpine AirZone Z 25
pockets and two 500ml soft bottles for the front of the harness.
£69.99 | ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/200253 Your go-to pack for day hikes, bike
ROSE
rides and beyond. AIrZone back system offers unmatched comfort and ventilation and a 25-litre capacity.
Root Miller 3
£3726.20 | ROSEBIKES.CO.UK The latest enduro specific machine from Rose, including their super trail geometry and a 29in wheel package.
HIKE
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
059 // JUN17
AMO Thunderstorm
£98 | AMOSUNGLASSES.COM
REVO Dalton
£310 | REVO.COM
Total protection to keep your eyes safe in the most extreme environment. Full wrap-
A notable higher-fashion heritage design, Dalton sunglasses are made for style within
around style with wider arms means no leakage of light from the sides. Thunderstorm is
the heritage collection from the original 1985 ranges. Revo’s proprietary High Contrast
light and comfortable with adjustable temple arms and soft adjustable nose pieces. They
Polarized lenses reduce glare and provide 100% UV protection. Revo Dalton (RE1043)
come with two sets of lenses (photochromic is recommended for trail running).
is a full rim frame for men and women, which is made of Injected Nylon.
REVO Clayton
£220 | REVO.COM
UV500 NASA lenses and integrated with up-to-the-moment styling. While they always
AMO Transformer
Total flexibility with interchangeable lenses and arms means you are prepared for any kind
sunglasses be more than just accessories but also irreplaceable assets in their collection
of light. Stylish lightweight frames and soft adjustable nose pieces, adjustable temple arms
of gear. Revo’s proprietary High Contrast Polarized lenses reduce glare and provide 100%
with three different lens options. AMO’s Transformer base frames come in a matt black or
UV protection. Revo Clayton RE1040 is a full rim plastic frame for men and women.
matt white colour with two styles of temple arms; choose lens to match with your activity.
SPY Hayes
PALA Zola
The iridescent pink marble frame and round silver flash lenses of Zola create a
road of life and whatever character-building bumps it holds. Featuring the detail- and
confident style statement that is anything but quiet – a classic festival show-stopper.
mood-boosting Happy Lens™, the Hayes is crafted from fine handmade acetate, has
The lenses offer 100% UV protection, and the sunnies come with a case woven from
smooth five-barrel hinges and includes a hard case and cleaning cloth.
recycled plastic waste and microfibre soft bag for further protection and cleaning.
£115 | ZEALOPTICS.COM
As big and bold as the era and music that ins
in this large-scale, ’80s-inspired piece. Avail polarisation, the Discord is constructed from
sturdy five-barrel hinges, six-base polycarbon
S U M
£45 | PALASUNGLASSES.COM
The perfect “driver glass”, the Hayes is for those who are driven to fully embrace the
ZEAL Magnolia
£115 | SPYOP
£105 | AMOSUNGLASSES.COM
look good, Revo sunglasses are made for active adventurers who demand that their
£110 | SPYOPTIC.EU
SPY Discord
REVO Aston
£220 | REVO.COM
AMO Typhoon £92 | AMOSU
Revo adapted NASA technology and integrated it into its own fashionable sunglass designs.
Magnolia leads us to go the extra mile on every run, hike or ride. And with our new
Revo’s proprietary High Contrast Polarized lenses reduce glare and provide 100% UV
Typhoon is a true trail sunglass with slim adj
Z-Lite thin injection process, this ultra-lightweight sunglass frame lets you push on and
protection, and its Motion-Fit frames provide unparalleled comfort and a clear field of vision.
nose pieces. AMO’S typhoon sunglasses co
focus on the view ahead through our plant-based ellume lenses, while our ProFlex
Revo Clayton RE1040 is a full rim frame for men and women, which is made of Plastic.
is recommended for trail running) and frame
rubber inlays keep your glasses in place no matter how strenuous the trail ahead is.
060 // JUN17
@LTMOUNTAINS
DRAGON ALLIANCE MountaineerX
TIC.EU
£135.90 | SHADESTATION.CO.UK
spired it, a little dissension goes a long way
Ready to face every challenge, the MountaineerX offer protection from the sun,
lable with the Happy Lens™ and Trident™
reflected UV, high impact and corrosion elements such as saltwater and sun cream.
virtually indestructible Grilamid® and features
With an interchangeable C-Temple system, leather sun shields and a rope lanyard
nate ARC® lenses and 100% UV protection.
M E R
NGLASSES.COM
system, these sunnies are ready for action when you are.
REVO Ryker
£175 | REVO.COM
SPY Deco
£110 | SPYOPTIC.EU
Like a classic art deco building, the Deco mixes materials and designs to bring an inspired industrial look to life. A handmade acetate and Monel alloy frame that’s thick from the sides while maintaining thin lines from the front creates a look that’s part steampunk, part high fashion and all you.
PALA Nuru
£45 | PALASUNGLASSES.COM
Revo sunglasses are made for active adventurers who demand that their sunglasses be
Nuru puts a contemporary twist on the classic aviator with angled mirrored lenses,
more than just accessories but also irreplaceable assets in their collection of gear. Revo’s
slender temples and flat luxe gold metal frame. It’s all about style and swagger, this
Motion-Fit frames provide unparalleled comfort and a clear field of vision. Revo Ryker is a
one. The lenses offer 100% UV protection, and the sunnies come with a case woven
full rim frame for men and women, which is made of plastic
from recycled plastic waste and microfibre soft bag for further protection and cleaning.
PALA IFE
NIKE Vision Terminus
£45 | PALASUNGLASSES.COM
£91.95 | SMARTBUYGLASSES.CO.UK
IFE’s striking round silver flash lenses are surrounded by green and black tortoiseshell
Tough yet deft, these sunglasses stay put and maintain clarity during high-action
acetate rims. Coupled with high-density stainless black metal frames, these sunnies
training or competition. Anti-fog ventilation holes in the frame circulate air flow, and
are subtle and bold all at once, providing the right amount of attitude to stand out in a
the ventilated rubber nose bridge also reduces fogging. The Terminus have the added
crowd. The lenses offer 100% UV protection, and the sunnies come with a case woven
bonus of interchangeable lenses for any light conditions. Lightweight but durable, the
from recycled plastic waste and microfibre soft bag for further protection and cleaning.
Terminus will handle anything you can throw at them.
SPY Flynn
£100 | SPYOPTIC.EU
The Flynn proves it’s possible to look forward and back – at the same time. Available with
ZEAL Incline
£115 | ZEALOPTICS.COM
ustable temple arms and soft adjustable
the Happy Lens™ or Trident™ polarisation, the Flynn isn’t just for rocking the pool party or
Incline is designed to be your partner for all-day descents. We believe you need to earn your
me with two sets of lenses (photochromic
beach. Its futuristic take on an iconic design is for taking the bold wherever you go. And
turns, so we’ve taken our plant-based Z-Resin to a new level of lightness with our Z-Lite thin
colours are in white, pink or yellow.
with a virtually indestructible Grilamid® construction, the Flynn is built to go deep into time.
injection process to bring you a sunglass that’s so light, you’ll forget it’s there. Except for the fact that our polarised, plant-based ellume lenses help you see the greens and blues of the landscape below like never before thanks to our unique blend of colour filters.
FB.COM/LTMOUNTAINS
061 // JUN17
M
I
N
U
T
E
S
JEROME CLEMENTZ Enduro World Series rider Jerome
the training is working on your technical
Clementz, twice Enduro World Champion,
skill. Travelling and riding in remote places
is a mountain-bike legend who has
with your friends is also a good way to
competed in the toughest endurance
train; spending the day out and then
events on the planet.
having a drink can’t be bad and will keep your spirits high. You need to learn from
What’s your goal for this year on the EWS?
the facts in your results of your VO2 max
JC: Have fun, stay healthy and be able to
test but you do it with pleasure and you
compete with the young and talented new
even ask for more.
generation. I still hope that I can give them a run for their money ... ! Since I’ve been
VO2max – can you describe how that
EWS Champ and twice on the podium of
helps your training?
the overall 2015/16 season, I don’t have
JC: At some point, if you want to improve
much pressure; I just hope I can give my
your fitness, you need to do it properly
best, enjoy the moment and finish every
with facts. The VO2max test allows you
race with a smile.
to build a training programme knowing at which pace you will be able to get the most
What’s been your favourite season?
out of each exercise. Once you’ve done
JC: The 2013 season will probably remain
the test and depending on what tool you
as the best one. It was the first year of
use (power meter, heart-rate monitor), your
EWS, and the level increased quickly;
coach can define the zones where you
everybody was expecting me to do well
need to be in the different exercises you
and I wanted to. Being able to win the
have to do. Without this, it’s easy not to
championship in 2013 and other great
train in the right way and get overtrained or
event this year was the highlight of my
badly trained.
career and definitely the one where I achieved one of my biggest dreams, if not
Describe your ultimate MTB road trip.
the biggest.
JC: Ultimate MTB road trip ... well, let’s start dreaming. It would be a remote
In the masterplan, you talk about fun stuff
place, maybe Canada, Chile or New
and serious stuff …
Zealand, private for the occasion where
JC: Now Enduro has a really competitive
the trailbuilders have rebuilt all the trails
field and the races are really tight; every
before you arrive. Fresh and loamy in
second counts. We are professional
the technical areas and smooth and fast
athletes, and in order to perform at
on the jump lines. It also needs to have
your best, you need to introduce some
some unridden natural trails and a long
exercises that are not especially fun: for
descent (more than 1,000m). You take
example, going to the gym in the winter;
some friends, stay in a comfy hut (not
following a training programme day by
luxurious) with a place for a big fire, pit
day, whatever the weather is; watching the
bike and good sound system. You spend
helmet camera footage of your practice
your day shuttling with a water-powered
run; or walking the stages. It’s something
car, ride until you are done, watch the
you do because you understand that it
sunset on the deck of the terrasse with a
will give you benefits in your performance.
beer then the party can start with a BBQ,
On the other side, I believe that mental
some Piscola, music and, at some point,
attitude is a big part of the game, and if you
Metallica comes and plays for your crew.
want to be performing, you need to enjoy
Then you go to bed with your girlfriend
what you do. Luckily, in Enduro, a part of
and restart the next morning.
062 // JUN17
@LTMOUNTAINS
ellume polarized Sunglasses made from plants, not petroleum. Zeal Optics’ ellume polarized lenses make your experiences richer and memories more vibrant all while reducing environmental impact.
zealoptics.com