Latest News

4 places left on Ama Dablam 3 Nov '12

We have a good-sized team already for Ama Dablam this coming late autumn/early winter season. Please let us know if you are thinking about coming with us this year, as we have just 4 places left (though we have a couple of climbers we're expecting to join, so this could be 2 places very soon). Iain Peter IFMGA is leading our expedition to climb the SW Ridge, a route we have been successful on many times before (Iain's also leading expeditions for us to Alpamayo and Huascaran this summer). It's a stunning line on a beautiful mountain, suitable for alpinists who are comfortable on Scottish IV/Alpine AD/UK Rock VS. [read more about Ama Dablam]

Vinson 2012-13 dates and prices

We have published dates and prices for next season's expeditions to Antarctica's highest mountain. Our price from the UK includes an international flight, 3 nights' hotel accommodation in Punta Arenas, and all services in Antarctica. The photo (left) was taken in late November by David Hamilton of James Wells on the summit. If you fancy the look of that view, then get in touch! [read more about Vinson]

Aconcagua report from Adele Pennington

The weather on Aconcagua has been pretty challenging this season, with both Greg Coe's second group and Adele Pennington's team not managing to summit. Adele's team are on their way home now. They were unable to climb beyond Independencia at 6,377m due to the strength of 'Viento Blanco' (see photo from summit morning - left). They spent another night at Camp 3 at Berlin Huts, hoping that the weather would improve, but it was not to be.

You can read Adele's Trip Report here.

[read more about Aconcagua]

Another report from Colombian Mountaineer

Thierry Levenq is the 3rd team member to post a Trip Report from the inaugural Jagged Globe Colombian Mountaineer expedition. Check it out! Our next trip to this incredible area is in June.

[read more about Colombian Mountaineer]

Final places on Stok Kangri this summer

Update 30 Jan: Now just 3 places on 17 August trip: We've had a run of bookings for Stok Kangri of late (14 in the past month). This is a great introductory-level climb in Ladakh, Northern India. We have two trips going this summer, led by two really fantastic leaders. Tim Bird has been involved with Jagged Globe for many, many years and used to be our Course Director up in Scotland. Tim is a great guy and is leading the 6 July team. Ian Barker is another massively experienced mountaineer, who is leading the 17 August expedition. There are just a few places now on Ian's expedition. If you are considering Stok Kangri it's worth reading expedition leader Robert Smith's report from one of the trips last summer, as it gives a good feel for the trek and climb. Matt, Stephanie and Natalie in the Jagged Globe office have also climbed Stok Kangri, so feel free to call them for a chat. [read more about Stok Kangri]

Mount Ararat in August - guaranteed

Our 25 August trek to Turkey's Taurus Mountains and Mount Ararat is now guaranteed to go ahead on the published dates. This 2-week trip, visits a quiet mountain range in Southern Turkey, which divides the Mediterranean coastal region from the central Anatolian Plateau, prior to travelling to Ararat. This means we see more of this fabulous country, as well as being better acclimatised than if we travelled stright to 5,137m Mount Ararat. [read more about Mount Ararat]

Spectacular weather in Scotland

There have been some blue skies days and fresh snow in Scotland over the weekend.

Check out the Scottish Winter Courses Blog [read more about Introductory Winter Mountaineering]

Aconcagua summit statistics

We have started to compile summit statistics for Aconcagua, expressed as a percentage. Aconcagua (along with Denali, in particular) is one of those mountains where people tend to ask about success rates. The average on Denali is about 50% according to the National Park. We suspect it is a lot lower than this on Aconcagua, due to the 'nature of the beast'. Aconcgua, as a non-technical climb, is attempted by a broad range of people, some of whom find it a massive step up from their previous high altitude experience.

You can our read statistics for the past 3 seasons here. We notice some pretty interesting 'statistics' bandied around on the internet for this mountain, but we try to be honest about ours.

We should have some more news on our two teams, currently on the mountain, very soon. [read more about Aconcagua]

Ski Haute Route - last few spots

We are running two Haute Route tours this coming spring, on 31 March and 21 April. We have a 'shakedown' day in Chamonix, before setting off and allow ourselves 6 days to complete this classic journey. There are now just a couple of spots on each tour, which are being led by Andy Owen IFMGA. If you have completed previous ski tours and feel you are ready to have a crack at this, the most classic of them all, then get in touch! If you would like to get into ski touring/mountaineering, then there are still places on our Introductory Ski Mountaineering week in Chamonix on 3 March and Andermatt on 17 March. The 14 April course in Chamonix is now fully booked. [read more about Ski Haute Route]

Ice and Ski

Andy Owen is in Cogne, where currently the best ice climbing conditions in Europe are at the moment (see photo from last week). We've had some great feedback from climbers who were out last week with Andy and Paul Farmer. Last week was the first of our Off Piste Introduction courses in The 3 Valleys. Here's some feedback:

"Simon was an excellent instructor. His knowledge of the ski area was outstanding and he always provided manageable and relevant technical points to work on."

"The accommodation was to comfortable and of a good standard for a self catering apartment." [read more about Alpine Ice - Chamonix/Cogne]

Everest climbers' charity fundraising efforts

Phil Purdy and Jeff Crooke are climbing Everest this spring in aid of Cancer Research UK. Three years ago, they climbed Cho Oyu (see photo - left) and raised a phenomenal amount of money. This time, they hope to raise at least £50,000. Phil explains a little more about the research they are helping to fund:

"Cancer will statistically affect one in three of us. We all know somebody who has been affected by this frightening disease. It should be noted though, that progress is and continues to be made and in many cases life expectancy has doubled for those affected by this terrible illness. There are however, a number of cancers where there has been little, or no progress. I am undertaking the Everest Challenge to fund research into two of these difficult cancers. These are Pancreatic and Esophageal Cancers. Cancer Research UK are starting to make potential progress in these areas through innovative research, but your help is needed! Cancer Research UK are started to talk about tailored medicines and living with a chronic illness and not a death sentence. We all have choices and I would really appreciate it if you could give some consideration to helping Cancer Research UK by making any pledge, however small, to help this great organisation. We can make a real difference!"

Please support Phil and Jeff via their Cancer Research UK Fundraising page. You can follow their Everest climb via the 'Live Despatches' section of the Jagged Globe website during April and May. [read more about Everest South Col]

Jagged Globe Newsletter

Announcements

Scottish Winter Courses Blog

Mountain Skiing Courses Blog

Latest Trip Reports