2014 Fort William
19th - 23rd February
Presented by
www.mountainfestival.co.uk /fort.william.mountain.festival
@FWMountainFest
/FortWilliamFestival
Welcome Welcome to the 2014 Fort William Mountain Festival, five days of inspiration and entertainment, action and adventure. If this is your first visit to our Festival, we very much hope you enjoy the experience, we’re certainly happy to have you with us. For those of you who are regular supporters of what we feel is a quality & action packed Festival ... ... thank you for your continued support! Staged in and around the Outdoor Capital of the UK, the 2014 Fort William Mountain Festival is set to bring you inspirational speakers, adrenaline fuelled films, adventure film screenings, ski mountaineering, hill running races and mountain skills workshops. Join us for a celebration of outdoor and mountain culture whether you want to try something new or sit back, relax and enjoy the experiences of our speakers. If you’d like to get involved with the Festival itself either as a committee member, a volunteer or a sponsor, please just speak to any of the team over the 4 days of the Festival or contact us through our social media connections - www.mountainfestival. co.uk / www.facebook.com/fort.william.mountain. festival Thank you for your support… enjoy!
Lochaber Schools Poetry Competition Take a look at the hard work & creativity from local primary school children in our Exhibition Area. Their poetry display which can be seen on the John Muir Trust stand is not to be missed.
Exhibition Area Our exhibition area is open for you to enjoy from 6.00-7.00pm each evening of the festival and again during the interval. Access to the exhibition area is free and you will find a range of stands from artists, educators and trusts to outdoor enthusiasts; this year’s event showcases a well-respected local photographer: Alex Gillespie. 2014 also sees the introduction of Book Corner, where a selection of authors will discuss their recently published books. A different author will host book corner each of the four evenings. Find out how you can get involved in mountain culture through speaking to different stand holders and trying out some of our workshops throughout the event.
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FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2014
Thanks! We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their funding and in-kind support, without it we simply could not run or develop the festival. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who give their time, enthusiasm and energy before, during and after the festival – it is very much appreciated. Thanks also goes to the staff and management of the Nevis Centre who look after us so well and to the various venues throughout Lochaber who are supporting the festival this year. Last but certainly not least, thanks goes to our sound, lighting and production team, Limelight Event Services for their professionalism & quality delivery. Our biggest thank you of course goes to you, our audience, for your continued support. We hope you enjoy the 2014 festival and would welcome any feedback you may have from your experience, please email us via info@mountainfestival.co.uk
The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture is now in its 7th year and we are very proud of the reputation the Award had gained over this time. The award is presented each year at our Festival in recognition of an individual who has either promoted Mountain Culture over a sustained period of time in their given field or discipline; or perhaps they have encouraged and/or educated others to engage with Mountain Culture through their enthusiasm. They may have inspired someone like you or me to embrace something new and exciting in our own lives but they will certainly have achieved great things with theirs and we are very proud to be associated with our past recipients. We are also very grateful to our sponsors of the Award – Rio Tinto Alcan; without their support over the years, the Award would not be possible. Past Recipients include: 2008 - Hamish MacInnes, OBE & BEM | 2009 - Richard Else | 2010 - Jimmy Marshall 2011 - Ian (Spike) Sykes, MBE | 2012 - Dr. Adam Watson | 2013 - Myrtle Simpson DL We are very proud to announce that the winner of the 2014 Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture is: Andy Nisbet (right). We are also delighted to announce the launch of a Scottish “Youth” Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. The launch event takes place on 13th February with the first recipient of this award to be presented at the 2015 festival”. The following programme provides information on the main events of this years festival, however full details can be found on the website for all aspects of the festival such as the Hill Running Race, workshops including Nadir Khan’s Adventure Photography, fringe events including the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team fund-raiser plus much, much more...
www.mountainfestival.co.uk
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Festival Programme Wednesday 19th February
Opening Evening 7pm | The Pinemarten Café & Bar, Nevis Range PH33 6SQ To start the Fort William Mountain Festival in style we have organised a torchlight descent as a range of local athletes take to the hill on skis, bikes and foot and work their way down Aonach Mor. Following the outdoor entertainment you will be treated to a locally sourced four course meal with the screening of festival film competition entries and Scottish music.
Wednesday 19th February
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team - Fund Raiser 7pm | Ben Nevis Inn, Achintee PH33 6TE We’re delighted to be able to bring Joe Beaumont to the Festival this year to an event which will be a Mountain Rescue Fund Raiser. In a warm & welcoming venue which is a local favourite – The Ben Nevis Inn at Achintee – Joe will give a talk and show a trailer of his film, produced and filmed with Dom Bush about his own experiences with Mountain Rescue Team and the debt he owes to them. There will also be a chance to see some selected films from our film competition and films about some familiar sights! Once costs are covered, all remaining funds raised by the event will go to Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. Please note the Ben Nevis Inn will not be serving meals, however the Bar will be open for refreshments. Online tickets can be bought in advance for £9.00 with tickets on the door for £10.00.
Thursday 20th February
Red Bull Media House Presents ... 7pm | The Nevis Centre, Fort William PH33 6AN Top level action films presented by Red Bull Media House, “giving wings to people and ideas”. Red Bull athletes are given the opportunity to open their wings and achieve their dreams, and we will have the chance to watch their journeys with some of the best and most recent films from the Red Bull Media House. During the evening we will enjoy the screening of Tracing Skylines, a film which follows six skiers on several incredible ski adventures around the world.
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FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2014
Friday 21st February
Hill Running Highs 7pm | The Nevis Centre, Fort William, PH33 6AN Hill Running Highs will see the screening of a short film from Finlay Wild, current record holder of the Cuillin Ridge Traverse and four time winner of the Ben Nevis Race. The Dragons Back by Shane Ohly will then be shown followed by a talk with legendary runner Manny Gorman, who completed the Corbetts in a continuous round. To round off the night we will then host a Question & Answer session with a fantastic panel of athletes: Manny Gorman, Finlay Wild and Guy Steven. Have your questions ready for the panel!
Saturday 22nd February
Climbing Night
7pm | The Nevis Centre, Fort William, PH33 6AN The 2014 Climbing Night features two incredible speakers who have both won the prestigious Piolet d’Or awards for their successful expeditions. Sandy Allan will discuss the completion of the first ascent of the Mazeno Ridge of Nanga Parbat, which had previously been one of the most famous unclimbed lines in the Himalaya. Mick Fowler will then present on his experience of establishing a new line on the Prow of Shiva. Mick is renowned as an excellent speaker and is sure to entertain with his recollections of this and other climbs. Saturday evening will also see the viewing of our film competition winners and the 7th recipient of the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture formally announced and presented.
Saturday 22nd February
Bike Night
7pm | The Nevis Centre Studio, Fort William, PH33 6AN We had a think about what mountain bikers like to do when they’re not mountain biking? Watch mountain bike movies of course! We have a cracking line-up of films for you to enjoy from The Dudes of Hazzard, Cut Media, This is Sheffield and DirtTV.
www.mountainfestival.co.uk
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Festival Programme Sunday 23rd February
Best of Banff
7pm | The Nevis Centre, Fort William, PH33 6AN The Best of Banff Night is your chance to see the best in award winning mountain films from across the world. Always a sell-out, this evening showcases some of the most inspiring, creative and exciting films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Advanced booking is recommended.
Sunday 23rd February
The Dynamic Image - Nadir Khan 5pm | The Nevis Centre, Fort William, PH33 6AN A multi media presentation for those that love photography and creativity in the outdoors. The presentation is a visual feast for a photography or outdoor enthusiast; with music, video, time lapse and stills. Nadir talks about his techniques for photographing adventure sports from trail running, to ice climbing to snowkiting.
TO BUY TICKETS
Online tickets available at www.mountainfestival.co.uk or visit The Nevis Centre or Ellis Brigham, Fort William
Online www.mountainfestival.co.uk
£12.50 Adults £3.00 Children
The Nevis Centre & Ellis Brigham until 31st January
£12.50 Adults £3.00 Children
from 1st February
£14.00 Adults £3.00 Children
Note: Concessions are for under 16s only For accommodation & more info, visit www.mountainfestival.co.uk
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FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2014
Fringe Events Thursday 20th February
New Scottish Winter Routes in Out of the Way Places - Simon Yearsley 8pm | Bidean Lounge, Clachaig Inn, Glencoe, PH49 4HX “Simon describes his passion for putting up new winter routes in Scotland, and talks about partners, research, effort, and dealing with failure… all key components in his love for new route adventures. This talk will include some choice stories from our very own Glencoe – Simon is constantly updating his talk... so if you think you’ve heard the stories before... you haven’t!” Tickets £7.50, available on the door & via the Clachaig Inn. Saturday 22nd – Sunday 23rd February
POC Scottish Enduro Series Nevis Range, Fort William, PH33 6SQ Round 1 is a 2 day event with practice on Saturday and racing on Sunday. The race will take place over 4 stages around the Leanachan Forest. The stages will be a great mix of the best of the Witches Trails and some natural gold. Closing date for entries is 19th February 2014.
Saturday 22nd February
Lochaber Athletic Club - Hill Race Saturday 22nd February, Fort William The Lochaber Athletic Club will be hosting a Hill Race on Saturday 22nd Feb, leaving from Lochaber Leisure Centre in Fort William. The race will cover approximately 4 hilly miles and you can enter on the day. Please note the entry fee is to be confirmed, keep an eye on the website for further details.
Saturday 22nd February
Glencoe Mountain - Skimo Scotland Glencoe Mountain Resort, PH49 4HZ Sunday 23rd February
Nevis Range Vertical - Skimo Scotland Nevis Range, Fort William, PH33 6SQ Ski mountaineering racing combines athletic skiing with mountaineering skills incorporating technical ascents and descents. There are different types of courses ranging from vertical sprints when racers skin uphill over a set distance to courses that have short steep sections which require the racers to put their skis on their backpacks; all combined with technical downhill sections. The closing date for entries in to both Skimo events is 16th February 2014.
www.mountainfestival.co.uk
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2014 Festival Workshops Please find below a short description of each of our workshops, dates, times and locations can be found in the Table overleaf and full details can be found on our website, www.mountainfestival.co.uk/workshops Adventure Photography Workshop This workshop will explore how to photograph athletes in the outdoors, using the landscape and dynamic composition to add impact to your images. Hosted by renowned Adventure Photographer Nadir Khan you will be looking at composition, leading lines, flash techniques, body and camera position to give your images an extra dimension. The location of the workshop will depend on the weather, Nadir will provide further details (info@nadirkhanphotography.co.uk). Avalanche Awareness Workshops These workshops are for people with some winter experience who want a more in-depth knowledge of avalanches and how to avoid them. A brief theory session is followed by a full day of snow analysis all over Aonach Mor. Back Corrie Workshops The workshops are aimed at experienced skiers and snowboarders seeking a better understanding of the back country safety in relation to the back corrie area. The workshop is designed to introduce basic concepts and a basic understanding of back country skiing and it is important that individuals consider further and more formal training. The workshop will be led by a member of our Ski Patrol team here at Nevis Range. Full details will be posted on www.nevisrange. co.uk shortly. All operations weather and snow dependent. Ben Nevis Guided Walk This will be an opportunity to reach the highest point in the UK in full winter conditions with the expert guidance and care of a Winter Mountain Leader. The route taken will be the Pony Track from Glen Nevis which does not entail any steep ground but the use of crampons and an ice axe is likely to be required. If these are new to you come on a Winter Walking Skills Workshop to be fully prepared.
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Hit the Ice Hit the Ice on the Worlds Biggest Indoor Ice Climbing Wall. This 2.5 hour session aims to give a structured introduction to ice climbing technique. It isn’t a pre-requisite but if you haven’t climbed before then you might want to consider joining a Taste the Rock session before moving on to the ice to get to grips with basic ropework skills. Learn to ski or snowboard at Nevis Range Never skied or snowboarded before? Then take a time out from the Festival to head up to Nevis Range for your first lesson. You can hire everything you need at Nevis Range, and buy yourself a hat and gloves at one of Fort William’s many outdoor shops. One-day beginners packages including 2 hours instruction, equipment hire, gondola ticket and lift pass will be running each day during the festival, costing only £54 for adults and £42 for children. As its holiday time, you’ll need to book in advance, so call us now on 01397 705825. More information available on the website www.snowsports.nevisrange.co.uk. All operations weather and snow dependent. Outdoor Emergency First Aid Course This 2 day non residential course, content includes: safety, basic life support (BLS) and CPR in an easy and logical manner. The 2 days are interspersed with indoor and outdoor practical sessions, including dealing with an unconscious casualty, wounds and bleeding, common medical emergencies, shock, fractures and other trauma often found in the outdoor environment. Red Deer Safari Join Wild West for a red deer photo safari. This is a great opportunity to get close to our wild red deer. We’ll set off early to be with the stags whilst the light is still low, giving great opportunities for silhouettes and “golden hour” light. We’ll be with the deer for about 2 hours, and visit a number of locations. Advice on photography and help with your camera is available from semi professional photographer and Wild West guide Ian MacLeod who has many years experience of photographing the deer.
Big Five Safari
Summit Highlander
Join Wild West to look for Scotland’s Big Five of golden eagle, red deer, harbour seal, red squirrel and otter. Meeting in Fort William we head out along the A830 looking for golden eagle and red deer. Then south to Acharacle and along Loch Sunart where we hope to find otters and seals amongst many other species. Crossing the Corran ferry we’ll look into Inchree Forest to look for our last “Big Five” species, the red squirrel before returning to Fort William for tea.
In partnership with Snowsports Scotland, Nevis Range are running the SUMMIT HIGHLANDER competition in the terrain park on the Summit. Details to be confirmed, please visit www.nevisrange.co.uk. All operations weather and snow dependent
FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2014
Transceiver Training Areas The Nevis Range ‘Back Country Access’ sponsored Transceiver Training Area is available for use free of charge. Located within the ski area at the top of the Alpha tow it is easily accessible by either ski, board or on foot. Full instructions are available on site and Nevis Range staff may be available to provide advice to individuals or small informal groups. Training for established groups is available for a fee and requires advanced booking. All operations weather and snow dependent. Understanding our mountains through the Gaelic language Are you a keen hill walker or mountaineer? Do you understand the difference between a beinn, càrn, sgùrr, stob, druim or
Workshop
aonach? What do names like Ben Nevis, Anoach Eagach, Blaven, An Teallach, or Buachaille Etive Mòr actually mean? This short course presented by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre of Gaelic Language and Culture, will be running two hour-long Gaelic taster sessions focusing on mountain, hill and geographic feature names. Winter Walking Skills Workshop These workshops are aimed at winter novices and cover basic movement skills, ice axe and crampon use, self arrest and route choice. If you have some summer walking experience and want to find out what is involved in winter walking this is the one for you.
Business & Location
Time
Price
Hit the Ice
Ice Factor Kinlochleven PH50 4SF
14.45 - 17.15
£40
Learn to Ski or Snowboard at Nevis Range
Nevis Range, Fort William PH33 6SQ
Book in advance
£54A £42C
Winter Walking Skills
Abacus Mountain Guides Nevis Range PH33 6SQ
08.45 - 16.00
£60
Understanding our mountains through the Gaelic language.
Room G5, West Highland College UHI, Fort William PH33 6FF
11.00 - 13.00 14.30 - 16.30
£10
Hit the Ice
Ice Factor Kinlochleven PH50 4SF
14.45 - 17.15
£40
Learn to Ski or Snowboard at Nevis Range
Nevis Range, Fort William PH33 6SQ
Book in advance
£54A £42C
Winter Avalanche Awareness
Abacus Mountain Guides Nevis Range PH33 6SQ
08.45 - 16.00
£60
Thursday 20th
Friday 21st
* Please note all Nevis Range operations are wind and weather dependent, and events are subject to change.
www.mountainfestival.co.uk
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2014 Festival Workshops Workshop
Business & Location
Time
Price
Back Corrie Workshop
Nevis Range Fort William, PH33 6SQ
09.00 - 15.00
£30
2 Day Outdoor Emergency First Aid Course - Day 1
BASP Snowgoose Mountain Centre, Corpach, PH33 6JH
09.00 - 17.00
£99 (2day)
Hit the Ice
Ice Factor Kinlochleven, PH50 4SF
14.45 - 17.15
£40
Learn to Ski or Snowboard at Nevis Range
Nevis Range, Fort William, PH33 6SQ
Book in advance
£54A £42C
Red Deer Photo Safari
Wild West Safaris, Invergarry Village Hall, PH35 4HG
07.30 - 11.30
£45
Summit Highlander Competition
Nevis Range, Fort William, PH33 6SQ
Check the Festival website for details
Winter Avalanche Awareness
Abacus Mountain Guides Nevis Range, PH33 6SQ
08.45 - 16.00
£60
Winter Walking Skills
Abacus Mountain Guides Nevis Range, PH33 6SQ
08.45 - 16.00
£60
2 Day Outdoor Emergency First Aid Course - Day 2
BASP Snowgoose Mountain Centre, Corpach, PH33 6JH
09.00 - 17.00
£99 (2day)
Adventure Photography Workshop
Details on Page 8
09.00 - 15.00
£50
Ben Nevis Guided Walk
Abacus Mountain Guides Ben Nevis Inn, Achintee
08.45 - 17.00
£60
Big Five Safari
Wild West Safaris Neptune’s Staircase,PH33 7LY
09.00 - 17.00
£65
Hit the Ice
Ice Factor Kinlochleven, PH50 4SF
14.45 - 17.15
£40
Learn to Ski or Snowboard at Nevis Range
Nevis Range, Fort William, PH33 6SQ
Book in advance
£54A £42C
Saturday 22nd
Sunday 23rd
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FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2014
Scottish Award ... ... for Excellence in Mountain Culture Andy Nisbet was chosen as this year’s worthy recipient because of his inspirational enthusiasm for the Scottish mountains and his invaluable contribution to climbing through his work in writing guidebooks. Over the decades Andy has gone to incredible lengths to bring climbers a highly accurate and detailed record of the tens of thousands of climbs across Scotland in the SMC’s climber’s guidebook series. Known for his boundless enthusiasm, humour and pioneering attitude, Andy exemplifies the passion for mountain culture that this award celebrates. Andy’s life’s passion has been exploring and opening hundreds of new routes on Scotland’s mountains and sharing his unparalleled knowledge of the Scottish cliffs in his guidebooks.
Fort William Mountain Festival is delighted to announce that the 7th Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture is awarded to Scottish climber, instructor and all-round mountain enthusiast, Andy Nisbet. The award will be formally presented at the Fort William Mountain Festival on Saturday 22nd February.
With almost 1,000 new winter routes to his name he has made far more first ascents in winter than any other Scottish climber. With these first ascents, he has introduced many climbers to new cliffs and corners of the country they might not otherwise have discovered. Every climber who has picked up a guidebook to inspire and inform them owes Andy a huge debt for his commitment and enthusiasm.
Richard Else Statement of Support The Fort William Mountain Festival is hugely important and has rapidly established itself as one of the UK’s premier events. It’s not simply an opportunity for filmmakers and outdoor enthusiasts to gather and celebrate our wild places, but it serves a valuable function in raising awareness of the fragility and importance of our mountain environments. I’m lucky enough to travel extensively, both to visit and work in some of the world’s most precious places and also to participate at film festivals in Europe and North America. With that in mind, I can say that the Fort William Mountain Festival takes its place with the very best available elsewhere and provides a rare opportunity to link adventure and environment together and show their interdependency. Richard Else, Filmmaker, author & photographer.
www.mountainfestival.co.uk
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Main Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
With thanks to Cotswold Outdoor, John Muir Trust, Abacus Mountain Guides, Bill Scott Architects, Printsmith
Presented by
2014 Fort William
www.mountainfestival.co.uk