Articles

Look out for articles published monthly in this new section of our website. Upcoming articles will range from instructional, gear reviews, interviews and more general discussion pieces about travel, mountaineering, trekking and skiing. We hope you find these articles interesting and useful. Please contact us if you have any feedback or would like to see a particular topic covered.

Ski New Zealand trip report

(October 2011)

Our September Southern Hemisphere ski trip was to New Zealand this year, and the team arrived back last week. Here is a report (with some stunning photos) from Jim Blyth.

"Every year Jagged Globe skiers can top up their turns after the summer by joining a trip to these destinations. New Zealand was this year’s choice coinciding nicely with the 2011 rugby world cup. The country was in party mood and a great combination of good weather, great snow and some rugby fun ensured a memorable experience for the team and ski guides Jim Blyth and Gary Kuehn. Gary lives to ski and is probably the most active ski mountaineer in New Zealand at present. He just loves his turns..." [read more] or [read more about Ski New Zealand]

2011-12 new trips article

(May 2011)

At Jagged Globe, we are always motivated to expand our range of climbs and treks, to visit new areas and to offer something different. Even with well-known peaks like Mount Ararat, we look at how we might do it differently. For example, on this trip, we acclimatise in a quiet and interesting mountain range, prior to travelling to the main objective. Here are some new Climbing and Trekking trips for 2011-12, that have yet to be featured in any of our newsletters or updates. We hope that they might be of interest... [read more]

Kangchenjunga Circuit article

(January 2011)

We are organising a trek to Kangchenjunga North and South Base Camps in October 2011. This trek is now filling up, so if you would like to fine out more about it, please call Tom Briggs on 0845 345 8848. Tom wrote a report of his initial recce of this trek in October 2009. You can read that here. Our itinerary treks to north Base Camp at Pangpema, before crossing the Mirgin La and heading up to the south side of Kangchenjunga. This provides a better acclimatisation profile and easier days than doing the route in the more traditional, opposite direction. [read more] or [read more about Kangchenjunga Circuit]

Bob Creswell 1948 to 2010

(August 2010)

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Bob Creswell on 21st July 2010. Bob had been suffering from a brain tumour since October 2008, when it became apparent that all was not well during a rock-climbing weekend in North Wales.

Bob was a friend and the most prolific of Jagged Globe's climbers. Since 2003 alone, he had been on 17 expeditions and courses. His climbing record with us goes further back to the Mera Peak and Mingbo La Expedition of 1993. Bob crammed an awful lot of mountaineering into his life, considering he reached the highest levels in his career as well. We will miss him deeply, as a friend and as a climbing companion.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on 23rd October. Donations, if desired in his memory, made payable to “The Himalayan Trust (UK)”, sent to Mary Lowe, Danewood, High Lane, Upper Holloway, Matlock, Derby, DE4 5AW. Please include your name & address for Gift Aid recovery.

[Bob Creswell - Obituary]

Feedback from Spring Nepal 2010 Treks

(May 2010)

We have had some really excellent feedback from some of our Trekkers this Spring. Here are a few comments from those taking part in Everest Base Camp Treks:

“All food served throughout the 20 days either by Lodges or by our Sherpas was of a consistently high standard.

Paul performed exceptionally well as a Trek Leader, instinctively guiding and advising. His experience was a valuable asset to a successful trip. The local Sherpas & guides should not be overlooked as their skills, without doubt, enhanced the experience for us all.

Jagged Globe answered my specific queries regarding acclimatisation and success rates. Upon scrutinising Jagged Globe and comparing other companies offering similar products, it was a clear and easy decision to select Jagged Globe by their offering of a far superior product.

The Everest Base Camp Trek far exceeded my expectations and the sheer beauty of the Himalayas took my breath away, literally.”

PW, Everest Base Camp Trek, Spring 2010

Kilimanjaro - new photos and words

(February 2010)

Dave Pickford is a freelance writer, photographer and expedition leader. He has just returned from leading a group of 14 trekkers to the summit of Africa's highest mountain. Dave has written a few words about Kilimanjaro, and we've posted up some of his excellent photos. See the Articles secion of the website... [read more] or [read more about Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Glades]

Kangchenjunaga Reconnaissance - report & photos

(November 2009)

6 Oct: Now with more photos. Tom Briggs has written an account of his recent trip this October to Kangchenjunga North and South Base Camps. Check out the articles section of the website to see how he got on... [read more]

Manaslu - a photographic journey

(May 2009)

Sarah Ingolfsdottir is a photographer who accompanied Matt Parkes during a reconnaissance [written report] of the Manaslu Circuit in April 2009. Here she shows some of her excellent images of the people they met on their journey... [read more] or [read more about Manaslu Circuit]

NEW: Ski Mountaineering : An Introduction article

(March 2009)

Tom Briggs has just returned from two weeks ski mountaineering in Chamonix and Gran Paradiso, Italy. Here he tackles some of the common questions of the potential or beginner ski mountaineer. Just what is ski mountaineering and how good a skier do you have to be to give it a try? What gear do you need and what can you expect from a week's ski touring?

During the spring months, there’s still too much snow around in the Alps to be able to climb on foot, so skis are the logical method for moving round the mountains... ski touring is incredibly liberating – you might have the whole of an untracked high mountain valley as your play area. You cover a range of ground at a speed you could never imagine on foot. This allows you to really experience all of the mountain...read more

We currently have 1 place remaining on our Ski Haute Route 3 - 11 April 2009. [read more] or [read more about Ski Haute Route]

Climb Magazine Offer

(April 2008)

Climb Magazine are offering Jagged Globe News readers a special discounted subscription rate:

UK - £30.00 / 1yr subscription (12 issues)
Europe - £45.00 / 1yr subscription (12 issues)
Rest of the world - £65.00 / 1yr subscription (12 issues)

(These prices are discounted from the RRP which is £42.00, £72.00 and £96.00 respectively.)

To subscribe, please visit the Climb Magazine website and enter one of the following codes during the application process:

UK - EARLYUKONE
Europe - EARLYEUONE
Rest of World - EARLYROWONE

[read more]

Kilimanjaro porters update

(February 2008)

Back in November, we pledged that we would send out 300 fleeces and waterproofs to Tanzania to help equip the porters that work on Kilimanjaro. The first batch of these have arrived on the mountain (see photo). Simon Lowe has just returned from a recce of the Western Breach (now re-opened). Amongst other things, he notes that porters are still to be seen on this difficult scrambling route.

"I had always thought and continue to believe that porters should not climb the Breach. I find it immoral, reprehensible even, that western trekkers who are asked to sign a waiver indemnifying the national park for injury as the result of rock-fall in the Breach are prepared to take porters here – just so they can have the comfort of a chemical loo (among other things) waiting for them in the Crater...read more

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Glades article

(January 2008)

To accompany Mathew's images, he has written an in-depth report of the Lemosho Glades Trek.

What I enjoyed the most from this route on Kilimanjaro was the constantly changing environment, which provided such interesting trekking each day. On some days the setting changes dramatically two or three times, leaving you wondering what the next camp will be like. [read more] or [read more about Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Glades]

Ama Dablam update

(November 2007)

Expedition leader, Steve Bell, has called in from base camp on Ama Dablam. Our team spent Saturday night at camp 1 (5,700m) and had a foray onto the ropes towards camp 2 yesterday. They are all doing well, despite a few headaches. They now plan to have a couple of rest days back in base camp before moving onto the mountain, with the aim of summiting around 2nd/3rd December.

A typical climbing strategy for Ama Dablam is posted in the articles section of our website... [read more]

NEW Expeditions & Treks for 2008

(November 2007)

This article gives an overview of our new Expeditions & Treks for 2008. They include:

Kilimanjaro - Lemosho Glades Trek
High Passes to Everest
Everest Base Camp & Island Peak
Everest Team Trek
Rush Peak & The Hunza Valley
Greenland Icecap Crossing

[read more]

Off Piste Skiing Tips

(November 2007)

With winter just around the corner and the first snows already fallen in the Alps, it's time to think about skiing again. If this winter is anything like last year, then despite the doom and gloom of the media, there should be good skiing to be had right through the season. Jagged Globe runs 3 levels of Off Piste Coaching courses in The 3 Valleys, Tignes and Verbier.

To get a head start, here is a new article with some top tips to help keep you ‘head up and feet down’ in the powder... [read more]

Mingma Sherpa interview

(November 2007)

Born in 1970 in the Rolwaling Valley of Nepal, Mingma Sherpa has climbed Everest 12 times and 19 8,000m peaks in total. He and his brother Pasang are acknowledged as two of the strongest Sherpas on the south side of Everest. In 2007, they regularly carried loads for the Caudwell Xtreme Everest expedition (which Jagged Globe organised) from base camp to Camp 4 on the South Col, before descending to Camp 2 in the Western Cwm for their dinner. That’s 2,600 metres of ascent, which most climbers normally take 3 days to complete. Here's an interview... [read more]

Rush Peak & The Hunza Valley - Reconnaissance report

(November 2007)

In response to requests for a short duration trek in the Himalayas, Jagged Globe will introduce the 16-day Rush Peak & The Hunza Valley trek in 2008. We believe that this fairly demanding trek in the Hunza Region of the Karakoram is one of the best short treks in the Himalayas. Jagged Globe Leader, David Hamilton did a reconnaissance of the trek in September 2007. Here is his report... [read more]

The Seven Summits Challenge

(November 2007)

We are frequently asked, "How do I go about climbing the Seven Summits?". Here is an example four-year programme, assuming you start the challenge with no previous mountaineering experience. This programme might also be applied to someone who aspires to climb Everest... [read more]

Ama Dablam climbing strategy

(November 2007)

Our 2007 Ama Dablam team, led by Steve Bell, will arrive in Kathmandu on 12 November. We've just heard that conditions are good on the mountain, with teams summiting in the last few days. We've posted up a new article, which describes a possible climbing strategy for Ama Dablam. It shows how teams make an 'Expedition style' ascent of a peak such as Ama Dablam... [read more]

New article - Getting started

(November 2007)

As some help for those who may be interested in trying mountaineering or climbing for the first time, and want to know how to get involved, we've published a new article - 'Getting Started'. It helps explain the transition from walking to scrambling and winter climbing... [read more]