Steven Horner - Latest Comments

Re: Walking Mt Toubkal - StevenHorner.com

WildGooseAdventure TrailRunMor — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 05:08:08 -0000

Hi guys
It looks like you had an amazing adventure on Toubkal.
I just wanted to make you aware of the fact that we now have full GPS tracks and route descriptions available for both of the main routes up Toubkal, if you are interested. These are suitable for walking, trekking and running and you won't need a guide if you can use a GPS.
http://trailrunmorocco.com/...
All the best

Re: Aonach Eagach & Two Potentially Dangerous Errors

Rich Parker — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 05:03:28 -0000

Interesting account. The descent from the col just east of Sgorr nam Fiannaidh is not too bad, tortuous for those not 'scree-fit' but quick and non serious. Most 'guides' have some sort of qualification, but not all! And some, these days, are operating out of remit. To get someone who won't make that sort of error look for a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors or British Mountain Guides, you will go out with a professional.

I'm glad you had an adventure and not an epic! I was a member of Glencoe MRT for a number of years and my lasting impression is that of all Lochaber's classic ridges the Aonach Eagach has seen a disproportionate number of mishaps..

Re: Walking Mt Toubkal - StevenHorner.com

Michael Bradnick — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 04:55:25 -0000

Ok thanks so much!

Re: Walking Mt Toubkal - StevenHorner.com

stevenhorner — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 01:03:26 -0000

Not sure why the download didn't work for you, it still works for me. I have emailed you the files.

Re: Walking Mt Toubkal - StevenHorner.com

Michael Bradnick — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 18:47:07 -0000

Hi Steven this is a really good guide here but when I tried to download the KML files from the website stated, the files did not download. Is it possible for you to upload them on this page? Thanks a lot.

Re: Walking Mt Toubkal - StevenHorner.com

David — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 09:21:22 -0000

Superb Winter trek in the High Atlas
I recently too part in a trek with Guide Hamid through the foothills of the Atlas to the summit of Toubkal.

This was the second time I have ascended this mountain and both times I was safely taken to the summit with Hamid.

He is a great guide and is company is very professional and versatile to the trekkers needs.

I will definitely do another trek with Guide Hamid but a different mountain next time.More info visit: http://toubkal-atlas.about....

Re: Walking Mt Toubkal - StevenHorner.com

Matt Timblin — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 07:58:55 -0000

Great breakdown of the route Steve. Am heading there next week. One question; did you find wearing approach was sufficient for the ascent at this time of year or did you find boots more suitable

Re: MLD Trailstar Pitching Guide - StevenHorner.com

Steven — Mon, 02 May 2016 09:44:03 -0000

It is incredibly easy! Thank you for the instructions. Just bought one and still learning a lot about tarps. I am also commenting to say the search on your blog is broken, it redirects directly to Google. Thanks for an instructive blog!

Re: Walking Mt Toubkal - StevenHorner.com

stevenhorner — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 02:07:32 -0000

Hello, I can remember having problems trying to find out how to book. I ended up booking via this email address: contact@refugelesmouflons.com

I was slightly worried I would get there and it be full and not have my booking, but they did. Although we changed it to a private room in the end, really didn't feel like sleeping in the dorms with the loud people who were there at the time.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Re: Walking Mt Toubkal - StevenHorner.com

Karen Inkster — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:47:39 -0000

Hi Steven. Your description sounds great. I am going in May and can't wait! Can I ask how you booked the refuge? I'm struggling to book it prior to going?
Thanks
Kare

Re: Aonach Eagach & Two Potentially Dangerous Errors

Tullochgorum — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 07:53:37 -0000

Hi folks

Please be wary of the Clachaig descent. The edge of the gulley can be overhung by heather and not visible. A family friend died there some years ago, in good visibility. It's just not worth the risk...

Re: Kitty's Wood PRoW Success - StevenHorner.com

Jonathan Craddock — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 16:39:44 -0000

Despite there being more to be done, it's still sounding like a really good achievement so far.

Re: The Roof of Britain by a Knife Edge - Ben Nevis

brad cain — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 08:00:56 -0000

I recently did this route, and enjoyed reading your account- we experienced many similar things!

http://bradscorner1.wordpre...

Re: Aonach Eagach & Two Potentially Dangerous Errors

Marvin Maxwell — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 08:29:39 -0000

I tried this last year in December starting from the Clachaig Inn and walking up the scree. I got half way along the ridge, unsure wether i could make it any further i decided to do something even crazier and descended from the midway point of the ridge down to the A82! Very stupid. I now pencil in all my routes, visit Munro Magic and plan plan plan before each hike.

Re: Aonach Eagach & Two Potentially Dangerous Errors

stevenhorner — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 15:06:41 -0000

Thanks. I looked at the direct descent from Sgorr nam Fiannaidh which I think would have been even worse than the Clachaig descent. The longer and safer route between the Sgorr nam Fiannaidh and the Pap of Glencoe is definitely the way to go, its probably faster too.

It's worrying that a guide took the wrong route like I did, isn't that the reason you pay a guide. It is a fantastic route, was just thinking I need to go do it again. The only downside is walking back to the car at the start.

Re: Aonach Eagach & Two Potentially Dangerous Errors

Stewart — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:56:06 -0000

A good account. I crossed with a local guide last year who hadn't been there for a few years, He took the inviting bypass too and it was as worrying as you describe. I guess it just looks inviting. He told me that the Clachaig descent was nasty and suggested a direct descent from Sgorr nam Fiannaidh to the road, but warned it was also slow and horrible so I put my foot down and we went via the long, safe route. I think the AE gets its grade (3) from a combination of length, commitment, exposure and slipperyness in the wet, as the scrambling is barely of Moderate difficulty. Good route though isn't it!? :-)

Re: Mountain Leader Training - StevenHorner.com

Jaakko Heikka — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 16:31:21 -0000

The Finnish course is cheap as we have basically free education (read: high taxes) in Finland and Wilderness Guide (or the Finnish and Swedish equivalent for the word to be precise) is legally protected profession which means the courses are mostly arranged with public money. In addition to the full-time one year courses there are part time two-year courses that can be done while working to support living.

I think that on paper the FInnish system would prefer the students to have previous working experience from guiding (any sort of guiding) and adequate outdoors experience, though I feel this is rarely the case and many learn the basic skills on the course. Of course not all pass in the end but surprisingly many do.

I'm not sure if this full time outdoors is a good idea or not but at least I will give it a go for a few years...

Re: The Most Visible Mountain & New Mountain Classifications

stevenhorner — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 05:38:30 -0000

Thanks Daniel, I had the same thought. Unfortunately in the last couple of years on my Munro trips I have rarely seen anything more than a few feet in front of me. Working out the Horners and Tracis only makes this more frustrating, because I now know what I am actually missing.

Re: Mountain Leader Training - StevenHorner.com

stevenhorner — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 05:33:45 -0000

I read quite a lot about the Finnish Wilderness Guide Program when Hendrik did it. I looked up the school he was in , along with reading some of the information available and discussed a little with Hendrik. I was actually surprised how cheap the course was, although you would need to have the money to support yourself while on the course.

The UK based Mountain Leader qualifications expect you to gain a lot of experience yourself and prove it. They teach the skills you need on the training I went on, although you should have already been able to prove you had a good range of skills and experience before going. It is a lot tougher when it comes to actually passing the qualification which could be seen with the assessment group that was running when I was there, only 1 passed. It was very clear to me when I first met the attendees on the assessment that many of them had no idea what they were doing. One turned up with totally inadequate gear and another refused to get out of their tent in heavy rain. I don't think either paid for the assessment themselves, otherwise you would make sure you got out of your tent if you had just paid over £400.

I decided not to go ahead with the actual assessment at least for the moment because leading is not currently where my heart lies. I enjoy taking family and friends out, but doing it full time for a living does not appeal.

Re: Mountain Leader Training - StevenHorner.com

Jaakko Heikka — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 12:41:01 -0000

Great post, Steven! I feel there are many similar aspects to the Finnish Wilderness Guide programs (although those generally last for a full year): not all have the initial experience needed (or that would at least help a lot) and most do not plan to work as guides after the course. The latter leads to situation where there are plenty of qualified (and not always very experienced) guides doing guidign as a hobby for free... But it's not necessarily a bad thing, at least it makes those trying to make a living to try harder.

Re: The Most Visible Mountain & New Mountain Classifications

Daniel — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 06:04:29 -0000

A great new classification system Steven. Its serendipitous that the peaks which are Horners are a "mountain that is pointy, quite high and not surrounded by too many high mountains" i.e. horn shaped ;-)

Re: The Most Visible Mountain & New Mountain Classifications

stevenhorner — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 16:53:57 -0000

Afraid I'm predictable. Although not sure about a book. I may have the time next year to work on one but have a couple of projects that may come first. Walking these is a priority though.

Re: The Most Visible Mountain & New Mountain Classifications

Hendrik Morkel — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 12:30:17 -0000

I thought you'd be calling them Horners, and how right I was! So, that's a Guide Book then coming, right?!

Re: The Most Visible Mountain & New Mountain Classifications

tookiebunten — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 07:49:01 -0000

You'll manage that I'm sure!

Re: The Most Visible Mountain & New Mountain Classifications

stevenhorner — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 07:19:19 -0000

Thanks Tookie, walking them all will be the first challenge never mind writing about them.