So What Do I Carry In My First Aid Kit?

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So What Do I Carry In My First Aid Kit?

If you’ve been in the mountains with me, or you’re a regular blog reader, you’ll know that I am a minimalist when it comes to packing a rucksack. Whatever I am doing, from guiding in the Alps to walking in to a crag on a Rock Climbing Instructor course, I don’t want to be carrying any unnecessary weight. And that applies to my first aid kit too. Over the years I have whittled it down to the things I know are absolutely essential, and I’ve ditched everything else. Here’s a sneak peek into what I carry.

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9 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Herdwick Sheep

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9 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Herdwick Sheep

If you’ve spent any time in the Lake District, you will almost certainly have seen Herdwick sheep grazing on the high fells and in the fields down in the valleys. With their distinctive shaggy grey coats and appealing faces, they are hard to miss. You’re not likely to see them anywhere else in the UK, as 99% of our Herdwicks live in the central and western Lake District.

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A Personal Journey from Mountain Leader to International Mountain Leader

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A Personal Journey from Mountain Leader to International Mountain Leader

Kelvyn James is an International Mountain Leader, and he is the current Chair of the British Association of International Mountain Leaders, the Mountain Training Association Lake District rep and the former Development Officer for the Association of British Climbing Walls. He lives in Cumbria, runs his own business, Mountain Services, and he is on our team of freelance instructors. He has featured in our My Story blog series.

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Managing Risk in the Mountains #2: Heuristics & Mind Sets

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Managing Risk in the Mountains #2: Heuristics & Mind Sets

“Even though people are capable of making decisions in a thorough and methodical way, it appears that most of the time they don't. A growing body of research suggests that people unconsciously use simple rules of thumb or heuristics to navigate the routine complexities of modem life.” In our homes and work places that may not be a problem, but when we take that mindset out into the mountains where the variables can change so quickly, we can find ourselves in serious trouble. 

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How To Stay Dry Whatever The Weather #3: Walking In The Rain

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How To Stay Dry Whatever The Weather #3: Walking In The Rain

Walking in the rain? Why would I want to do that? Because it can be fun and exhilarating! And if, like me, you live in an area where rain is a pretty constant feature, you often have no choice. If you have the right kit and know how to use it, you should be able to have lots of fun whilst staying warm and dry.

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