Tim Emmett will give a presentation at the festival. Photo: © Tim Emmett
A mass downhill race to the bar will feature in a mountain festival next month.
Competent skiers and boarders are invited to take part in the event on Aonach Mòr which will see participants heading at speed for the Nevis Range licensed bar as part of the Fort William Mountain Festival.
The five-day celebration of climbing, skiing, mountain biking and paddling will also feature talks by climber Tim Emmett and Richard Else, the man responsible for filming his joint effort with Dave MacLeod successfully tackling the massive overhang of Sròn Uladail last year.
The event, from 11 to 15 February, will mark the festival’s tenth anniversary. Mike Pescod, chair of organisers the Highland Mountain Culture Association said: “Above all, the inspirational and entertaining five-day Fort William Mountain Festival programme for 2011 promotes the mountains as an attractive, accessible and enjoyable place to be.
“It includes a superb line up of top climbers, mountain filmmakers, cutting edge outdoor athletes and adventurers.
“The varied and entertaining programme of new events and old favourites being staged in and around Fort William caters for everyone of all ages from elite climbers, hillwalkers and outdoor enthusiasts to sea- and white-water kayakers and budding cycling aerialists.”
Children and adults will have the opportunity to try out new activities and learn new skills in daily mountain skills workshops during the festival. Guides from Abacus Mountaineering, in conjunction with Nevis Range, will lead full day courses in avalanche awareness, winter walking and winter climbing.
The 2011 Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture will also be awarded to this year’s winner on the Saturday. The award celebrates outstanding contributions to Scotland’s mountains, encompassing sport, theatre, art, photography, film and literature and was first introduced in 2008. Previous winners include Jimmy Marshall, Richard Else and Hamish McInnes.
Further details and prices are on the Fort William Mountain Festival website.
