Billionaire in line to snap up Mountain Warehouse

Secretive billionaire Mike Ashley could be in line to take over bargain outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse.According to financial pundits the chain, currently owned by private-equity investors, is sniffing around for potential buyers and the reclusive former boss of Sports Direct International is at the front of the queue.Mr Ashley currently owns outdoor clothing brand Karrimor and has a 29% share in troubled retail group Blacks, which runs the Millets, Blacks and O’Neill outfits.

2012 Olympics overspend threatens outdoor funding

Outdoor sports and activities are at risk because of the massive overspend on the London Olympics.That’s the view of the British Mountaineering Council, which is urging lovers of the outdoors to petition the Government not to divert Lottery money from non-Olympic sports.The latest figures for the 2012 Olympics put the cost of the event at £9.35bn, nearly four times the original estimate.

Mountain council meeting clashes with Kinder event

The British Mountaineering Council’s annual meeting and dinner takes place this year on 21 April.So we guess there will be no participation by the council’s top brass in the Kinder Scout celebrations which happen the same day, unless there’s going to be some very rapid driving on the roads between Derbyshire and north Wales.The BMC’s shindig happens over the weekend of 20 to 22 April at Plas-y-Brenin, the national mountain centre near Capel Curig.

Wainwright series hits mainstream TV

The BBC must have realised that walking is popular: it’s just been announced that the Julia Bradbury-presented Wainwright’s Walks will be repeated, this time on BBC2.So those who don’t have digital TV can now enjoy the short series of four in which Julia follows Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides up Haystacks, Blencathra, Castle Crag and Scafell Pike.The first will be shown at 7pm on Friday, 6 April, with episodes two and three shown at the same time the following weeks before broadcasts of men kicking balls or thwacking leather with a wooden stick intervene for two weeks, so the final episode will air after sports fans have had their fill of whatever vigorous activity their overpaid heroes are indulging in.The whole series, plus the documentary probing – albeit very gingerly – the life of the Grumpy Old Fellwalker, will be issued on double DVD in the summer..

Cairngorms 'need to rival Yosemite and the Rockies'

The Cairngorms are up against the likes of the Canadian Rockies and the Yosemite National Park in the quest for tourists’ cash.Development bosses want to boost outdoor activities in the area, along with visitor attractions and facilities.

No return to speeding on Windermere

Windermere’s speed limit will stay, authorities have decided.The controversial 10mph restriction, imposed two years ago, was challenged by a pressure group which wanted to use high-powered craft on the lake.The Keep Windermere Alive Association is hoping to overturn the limit and in the meantime had asked the Lake District National Park Authority to look at a ‘managed solution’ allowing jet skis, power boats and water skiers back on the water in some areas at certain times.But the national park authority has been advised there is no legal basis for the challenge and said the managed solution would be too bureaucratic and unworkable.

Burbage rescue for Sheffield mayor

Edale Mountain Rescue Team came to the rescue of a distinguished casualty yesterday.The Peak District team was called upon to rescue the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Jackie Drayton, from the moors in the Burbage Edge area.Cllr Drayton agreed to act as a casualty during one of the team’s regular training exercises.  She was carried by stretcher by members of the 26-strong squad.

Law on mountain locators a step closer

Climbers in an American state could be forced to carry radio locators when on mountains.Legislators in Oregon have approved the first stage of a law which would make it a legal obligation to have a mobile phone and a locator of some sort when climbing on the state’s mountains.This follows a rescue last month when three climbers and a dog were rescued from the 3,429m (11,249ft) Mount Hood after they used a locator which led search parties to them.

Lakes fell deaths highest for 17 years

Fellwalking in the Lake District is a dangerous pursuit, according to figures released this week.Right: walkers look down on Striding Edge from the summit of HelvellynRescue organisations in the district dealt with a record 28 deaths last year, the highest number for 17 years – and of the 28 fatalities, 18 were walkers, with a further 144 injured while walking.