News
21st August
NNAS Silver Navigation Course - 3rd weekend in September - near Glasgow - 2 Days £80. If you want to get a place contact me andrew@mountaineeringmentors.co.uk
20th August
News from Mountaineering Mentors in Australia coming soon! Karl Bromelow has gone out to Oz and is going to be providing reports/info on mountain activities out there - watch this space!
22nd March
Just done a review of the new Winter Skills Handbook for UKC - here's the link:
http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=355
12th January 2007
Gear Review – El Alto Eagle Fleece Top
My first fleece top was a North Cape some 30 years ago. Coloured scarlet, the cut was baggy, the surface pilled in a week, a keen wind made you feel you hadn’t got it on, and worst of all it was prone to melting over a primus. “Fleece is fleece,” you may say, but they have come a long way in 30 years and the El Alto Eagle Fleece Top is a good example of the benefits modern materials and design.
El Alto is one of these ethical companies that directly benefit those who make them. I ignored this to be honest, because however ethical the company is, the kit still needs to work…and work it did.
I had the fleece on whilst walking and climbing and like the material for its comfort and flexibility. It’s well cut in body, arms and shoulders, being close enough for warmth whilst not restricting movement. A slightly stiffened collar keeps out the draughts and the basic black colour is practical and welcome in these days of day-glow everything. The fleece is very wind resistant and when worn with a thin thermal base layer there’s plenty of heat there, even for a skinny guy like me.
I did have an issue with the sleeve cuffs though. The ends have fold away thumb pull-overs – you know, the ones that make your hands look like Scrooge. Folded away they kept slipping/pulling down and I found them irritating. I would prefer a standard elastic cuff.
Summary? A well made fleece that is comfortable to wear and does the job, but
didn’t like the cuffs.
A further review will be done in 4 months, focusing on durability and long term performance
Andrew Mallinson
Available in both men and womens styles - in Black and Grey - S,M,L and XL.
£35.00
17th September
A new route was added at The Quadrocks near Largs in Scotland this weekend by Andrew of Mountaineering Mentors. Lichen Angel (E1 5b) climbs a shallow groove and crack system to the left of Big Corner.
Copyright Walter Robison 2006
1st September
Gear Testing - Andrew has been appointed by UK Climbing .com as an official gear tester for a range of clothing, equipment and gear. Look out for future gear reviews...
2nd August 2006
Following the formal application in July, Andrew Mallinson of Mountaineering Mentors has become an Approved Course Provider for the National Navigation Award Scheme. Andrew will now be able to deliver Training and Assessment courses at Bronze and Silver Levels.
