Hinkes backs outdoor centres which started his climb to top

One of Britain’s top mountaineers has become patron of the service he says helped launch his climbing career.Alan Hinkes with young climbersAlan Hinkes, the first Briton to top all the world’s 8,000m peaks, agreed to the post in recognition of the part played by North Yorkshire County Council’s outdoor education service in fostering his interest in climbing.

Hartell conquers Dales heat for record Fellsman win

Mark Hartell put the heat on his rivals to win the gruelling Fellsman event for an unprecedented eleventh time.Mark Hartell en route to his eleventh Fellsman victoryThe Team Vasque long-distance expert ran himself into the record books on a day when conditions were more suited to a desert marathon than the traditional Yorkshire Dales trog through mist and rain.

Two charged over girl's waterfall adventure death

A second man has been charged following the death of a girl on an outdoor activities course in Galloway.Gareth Alcorn, 24, of Coleraine, County Londonderry, appeared at Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

'Frisky' Hartell ready for Fellsman challenge

More than 350 runners and walkers will take to the high ground of the Yorkshire Dales this weekend to tackle one of the most challenging long-distance events in the country.Ten-times Fellsman winner Mark HartellThe Fellsman (it’s dropped its ‘Hike’ sobriquet) involves 100km (62 miles) of running or walking across almost every sizeable hill in the Dales national park.

Praise for couple who ran three miles to help walker

Rescuers have praised a couple who ran 5km (3 miles) to raise the alarm after seeing a man fall in a remote Yorkshire Dales gorge.Swinner Gill, SwaledaleDenise Pickard and Dave Clarke saw the 50-year-old walker summersault down the hillisde and hit his head on a rock after the fall in Swinner Gill, Swaledale.

Grant aids Tom's 150-mile solar powered kayak trip

A paddler was due to set off this weekend on a 150-mile trip up the west coast of Scotland, using solar power to provide his energy.Tom PendryTom Pendry will travel by sea kayak from Barra the length of the Western Isles.

'Clueless' walkers under fire after six-hour rescue

Mountain experts have criticised a school after a group of its students was rescued from a Lake District fellside this morning after a search involving 35 volunteers.Upper Eskdale and Great Moss, scene of the searchThe walkers were described as ‘clueless’ by a mountain rescue leader, who said the school they attend are ‘regular customers’ of the rescue teams.  The stricken walkers, from a religious establishment in the North-East, called for help at 5.30am today.

Lennox beats world's best for Three Peaks crown

Reigning king of the Three Peaks Rob Jebb lost his crown today to first-timer Jethro Lennox who beat a world-class field to win the 24-mile race across some of the Yorkshire Dales’ toughest terrain.Jethro Lennox wins the Three Peaks Race 2008The Shettleston Harrier, who had never competed in the race before, beat a field of 754 runners to take the title and a cheque for £1,000, along with the status of world long-distance mountain running champion.

Man injured in Tryfan fall

A climber is in hospital after a six-hour rescue operation in Snowdonia.Tryfan, in the Ogwen Valley The 17-year-old, from Worcestershire, was stretchered off Tryfan by members of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue team, who took him to a waiting helicopter from RAF Valley on Anglesey.