Chinese to start building road to Everest

Everest’s remote position will soon be a thing of the past after China’s state news agency announced the regime will next week start surfacing the unmade road to base camp on the Tibetan side.The scheme, part of the preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games, involves asphalting more than 100km (62miles) of track in order to accommodate the Olympic torch party, which plans to summit Everest en route.Conservationists fear the move will lead to a rush of tourists to the northern base camp which previously was the preserve of mountaineers and determined trekkers.

Law Lords back Ramblers in footpaths case

England’s Law Lords have overturned a ruling that allowed landowners to close footpaths in an underhand way.The Ramblers’ Association (RA) successfully appealed against a decision which meant that owners could claim a footpath was not public even if no signs or barriers had been erected to warn walkers.

Clear footpath or we'll see you in court, council told

A campaign group is threatening a London council with court action for failing to make sure a footpath is reopened.The Open Spaces Society says the footpath, across Northwick Park golf course, has been illegally blocked.

Show washout puts damper on rescue team's new building

A rescue team in Yorkshire has had to ditch plans for a new building after torrential rain washed out one of its main fund-raising events.The Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO), based at Clapham, aids both potholers and fellwalkers in the West of the Yorkshire Dales and parts of Cumbria.

Rescue for Lakes walker after fall

Rescuers went to the aid of a teenager who fell in the Lake District yesterday evening.The 17-year-old girl was with a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award team when she suffered a suspected broken ankle while making her way down to Wasdale Head on the Sprinkling Tarn route.Her team members used their tent for shelter and called for help.

Search teams rescue lost Beacons walker

Rescue teams in south Wales found a man who was suffering from the cold after losing his way.Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) and their neighbours Central Beacons MRT were involved in a four-and-a-half-hour search for the man, who was described as having learning difficulties.

Dales website bosses want your views

Authorities in the Yorkshire Dales want to know what you think of their website.The national park authority says its site is important for keeping visitors up to date, but it wants your views on how useful it is, how easy to use you find it and whether its information is useful.

Thousands expected at weekend outdoor event

Organisers of a Sheffield outdoor festival say they are expecting 30,000 visitors this weekend.Cliffhanger, a new venture, will include the British Bouldering Championships, a caving obstacle course, a chance to try scuba diving, bushcraft demonstrations and an alpine beer festival.

Survey will quiz Dales Way walkers

How much is the Dales Way worth? That’s the question being posed by authorities who are surveying walkers on the route which runs from Ilkley in...