Survey aims to tick the right boxes

Wanted: men in running shorts; hairy legs preferred.The Mountaineering Council of Scotland put grough on to a survey in which the ticks are more than the usual instance of just filling boxes.The Heather Trust – that’s a trust interested in heather moorland rather than named after a woman of that name – is conducting research into ticks, the annoying little beasts that attach themselves to various bits of our anatomy and feast on blood.The trust says there’s anecdotal evidence that their prevalence is increasing and wants to find out it that’s true.

Hill runners need new officers

Scottish Hill Runners need nominations for the posts of convenor, secretary and treasurer in advance of their 2007 annual meeting on 11 November at Symington Sports Centre, following the Tinto Race.

Mountain council needs a whizz kid

If you’re hot with a PC and know your databases from your dongles, there’s a job you may be interested in.The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is advertising a vacancy for an IT and database co-ordinator at it Manchester HQ.The post pays between £24,474 and £29,891, depending on your experience.

Mountain marathon dates announced

Organisers of the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon have announced that the race will take place next year on 9 and 10 June.Cryptically, Martin Stone, in charge of organising the event, says he expects it to take place further south than this year’s event.

Park planners want better access for Ennerdale

Planners in the Lake District have rejected the idea of promoting one of its remotest areas as a wilderness.Members of the Lake District National Park Authority say they do not want to see a ‘Wild Ennerdale’ brand created, but do want to improve access to the area.The authority’s recreation and tourism advisor Helen Houghton said: “Ennerdale forms part of the wider cultural landscape of the Lake District, which may be put forward for World Heritage Site Inscription.

Underwater swimmers come to aid of mountain team

Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) is £8,500 better off after its annual Kern Knotts fundraising weekend.The sum was boosted by the first ever full length swim of Wast Water, underwater.

Harness recall notice and battery advice issued

Two manufacturers have issued warnings about their equipment.The first, and perhaps most urgent, is from climbing gear makers Black Diamond who have put out a ‘stop using until inspected’ instruction on some of their climbing harnesses.The models affected are the ‘Speed’ range – Focus Speed, Gym Speed, Momentum Speed and Vario Speed harnesses along with the Wiz Kid.

Cozmo says The North Face is Cool

You may have noticed that grough tends to fight shy of the usual brand recommendations and exhaustive gear reviews.We have neither the time nor the money to fritter on comparing fifteen makes of water purification systems or enlightening you on which expensive waterproof makes you sweat the most (they all make me sweat – Ed).The CoolBrands Council's website (right)So it is with trepidation that grough dips its boot-clad toe in the murky waters of outdoors brands.

DJ to deliver AW lecture

Radio 2 DJ and upcoming grumpy Stuart Maconie will deliver this year’s Wainwright Memorial Lecture.The Lancastrian, better known for his cameos in Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights and numerous appearances as a Rent-an-Opinion on Channel Four’s The 100 Best series, Maconie will no doubt be recounting his more fell-oriented pursuits.Falling far short, in grough’s opinion, of being a Grumpy Old Man at only 46, Maconie is a fan of the fells, and has reputedly more than 200 Wainwrights under his Vibram.