Another Gold Environmental Award! 

November 2007 Gold Award received. For years now we have been trying hard to make our activities both on and off the hills as environmentally friendly as possible. We think we do pretty well but there is always room for improvement. You can read our Environmental Policy here.

Just to make life a bit easier for those of us with a less than perfect memory.

You can now go direct to our website via www.freetime1.com

Autumn 2008

It has rained. Unfortunately this summer is working out to be a repeat of last year's weather. August has been abyssmal!
It has been hard work trying to find a gap in the weather to climb and walking has certainly put a lot of waterproofs to the test. Despite this many folk have been out and about dodging the showers. It pays top take a light shell when you do though!

This summer's new brands, Royal Robbins clothing , Asolo boots, and Pod rucksacks, have done very well. Our buying for next Spring Summer is well under way and these companies should see a greater representation.

Coming soon will be our Winter 08 ski product. Some of the earliest items are online now. Have a look at Salomon Czar ski  and the new Tornado. Amongst much more to come will be ski boots from Nordica, Head, Salomon, and Atomic plus clothing from The North Face and Helly Hansen. Let's pray for snow!

Special Offers We have recently been making changes to our site so you can now locate all our special offers from the one page. There you will find a host of offers at unrepeatable prices many of which are only available online . So make sure to check this section regularly as our stock changes on a daily basis. So why not have a look and grab yourself a bargain today !

All Freetime staff undertake the Salomon Expert Training Programme every year. The training ensures that customers receive the best advice and that equipment is adjusted safely.

All ski bindings must be checked and set according to the users age, weight, height, ability and boot sole length. It is very important that this is done by professional and qualified technicians. If you have any doubt that your bindings may not be set or working correctly take them to a Salomon Expert Shop.

Skiddaw House bunkhouse having re-opened after a long break, is now in its second year and has already passed the occupancy totals of last year.
Located 5 miles (8 km) north of Keswick, it is only accessible on foot, mountain bike or by horse, using the public bridleways. The bunkhouse is available all seasons for individuals or groups alike, but in the the winter (from early November on) it is only for group bookings. It will be closed for the general public after the first week-end in November (we are full on Nov the 3rd), but will be open for groups until New Year, we already have a few groups booked in. These groups for the winter pay a flat fee for all 21 beds, whether they fill them or not. Then the bunkhouse will be completely closed in January and February, open again as of the 1st of March.
John Martin is always looking out for interested people to help - with work-parties, with materials or skills, and for financial support. He can be contacted on 01228 520773.
Support your local bunkhouse.
The bunkhouse is located at grid reference NY 2871 2912
More information here.

Carlisle Mountaineering Club

Anyone interested can come along without being a member. There are a number of popular meets at weekends throughout the winter.
Please note that instruction is not given.
If you are a novice contact Phil Tinning at Freetime or a meet leader for advice.

The full year's Evening Meets list is here and the Day and Weekend Meets is here.

St Aidan's Climbing Wall is a great little climbing wall. Ideal for all abilities with good angles for beginners too. The wall has a great texture and loads of natural looking features. I have just equipped the wall with brand new Edelrid ropes. Currently the routes on the wall are being rebuilt to be ready for the Autumn. We are running a Wednesday climbing club which has a lot of kids early on (5.30 to 7.30pm) and is suitable for beginner or progressing adults after 7.00pm. Qualified instructors are on hand for help and guidance.
Call us on 01228 598210 for more details.

More information can be found on the centre website.

Finished!!!
Or to be more precise, Compleated.
9th June and I was off to Knoydart. Extra days off work, ducked out of the paperwork, and?my sons'?two local football tournaments not to mention the World Cup!
Headed up to Fort William and Mallaig. Got to Fort Bill with 47 miles to go and 45 minutes to do it so a drive round to Kinlochhourn was the only choice. Fantastic weather at 27 degrees?celsius. Backpack a bit on the heavy side with 21kg of kit but a lovely walk into Barrisdale taking it easy in three and a half hours.
Next morning up-and-at'em! Ladhar Bheinn by way of Coire Dhorrcail. The prominent nose of Stob a Chearcaill was a surprise in its steepness and whilst it was a bit loose in places presented no problems. I'm not sure what a non climber would think of it though. Over the summit ridges, ups and downs at a leisurely pace and completed the round with a dip in the stream before wandering back along the good stalkers path to Barrisdale and a Wayfayrer tea finished with Chocolate pudding! No such thing as an early night up here as it hardly gets dark and the thump of the bunkhouse generator was there all night!
Up at six after a blowy, disturbed night and off walking by half past. A nice plod up to Mam Barrisdale and then south east eventually to the top of Luinne Bheinn. Darkening clouds threatened for a while and the wind was cold with a hint of rain. Toddling on with my newfound technique for preserving dodgy knees - twice as many steps at half the speed - I continued along the ridge eventually to an easy scramble and the final summit of Meall Buide and my round of Munros completed. No great celebration, just the usual food stop and a wander down over Creag Dearg and contoured round to just below Mam Barrisdale and the descent back to the tent. A change of socks and a snack, and off to Kinlochhourn. A lovely walk out with no midges in improving weather. Plenty of SIS to keep me going. Feeling tired by the time I got to the car but the satisfaction of a completed round just beginning to sink in. Only 12 Munro tops to do now, plus a few Corbetts and I wouldn't mind repeating a few Munros too. It's not the finish of anything just another waypoint.
Thanks to everyone that has accompanied me up the Munros over the years. I look forward to a celebratory ascent of a decent peak with as many of you as possible.

You can see a small collection of my Knoydart pictures by clicking here.

Phil Tinning