Do you prefer a zip neck or crew (round) neck on your thermal top? Zip necks allow for a bit more temperature regulation but cost £5 – £10 more than a standard unzipped thermal long sleeve top. Which do you prefer?

The down ranges of Extreme, Xero and Dreamcatcher are 20% Off RRP

The synthetic ranges of Moonwalker, Starlight and Sleepwalker are 50% off RRP

We do not have a complete spread of sizes and weights in the sale, just what’s left from last summer, but have a look because the bag you want might be there.

Recognition of what great events James and his team put on.

If all sound that sounds too much, start with a friendly little Open 5

Arcteryx has come to Facewest this spring. Today we had the climbing harnesses delivered but tomorrow we should have most of the shell and softshell with a few stragglers after that. For this spring we have concentrated on their lightweight shells for our ski touring, weight concious and summer alpine customers. Arcteryx still make a good range of shells in Gore Tex Paclite which ME and Marmot don’t use much any more. We have both membraned and non membrane jackets from their softshell range and a selection of non membraned pants in different fabric weights.

All Arcteryx Spring/Summer 10 Products.

Arcteryx Climbing Harnesses

The stock will go onto the site tomorrow but I know it’s in the warehouse now, so you can order it now if you wish.

Our latest review:

Fantastic service, very fast delivery and great advice!

Stuart, provided myself and my team with great advice for our alpine race in April 2010, www.pdg.ch. The kit arrived the next day and worked fantastically on our training week in Switzerland. If you want straight talking advice from someone who knows what they are talking about then Stuart at Facewest is your man!

Although I am mentioned by name for the advice, I didn’t receive it into stock, pack it or send it so it really is a team effort to make these things happen.

Thanks and keep them coming.

So if you’re looking for a specific product and we’re not stocking it then have a read and drop Tim an email, he should be able to help you out.

The winter started with a winter ascent of Bowfell Buttress (V) which was third time lucky for me (having been thwarted by conditions and crowds in the past) and it turned out to be an excellent sustained, but no-where too difficult climb which I would recommend to all. The new years trip started with Beinn Udlaidh a lower level crag in the Southern Highlands that holds loads of ice in a good cold snap, which we did three climbs on. New years day saw an abortive attempt at the Blue Riband then changing plans for the traverse of the Aonach Eagach. Following that I did a solo day on Stob Coire nam Beith and finally a day on Creag Coire an Dotaidh.

On Beinn Udlaidh

The next weekend we headed over to Snowdonia; Saturday climbing on Clogwyn Du’r Arddu making a winter ascent of Jubilee Climb (V) which was great fun. Sunday I was feeling ill, yet we headed to Ogwen to try the Devil’s Appendix however with other teams on it, so we climbed 3 nice IV & V’s instead. After couple of weekends where other things got in the way I headed up to Scotland again where day one we climb on Beinn an Dothaidh, where we climbed Pas De Deux (V), The Skraeling (IV) and Taxus (III) which was a really fun day. The Sunday was spent on Creag Meagaidh where we had a good day climbing Missed the Post (V) and Diadem (V), although we had forgotten what a slog the walk out feels!

On the top pitch of Eagle Ridge

Finally last weekend was spent in the Cairngorms, climbing on Lochnagar on Saturday and Creag an Dubh Loch on Sunday. On Lochnagar we started with Polyphemus Gully (V) that had wonderful ice on the first hard pitch, however the top pitch was mainly incredible thick hoarfrost meaning I had a very run out scary lead. For the second route of the day we headed for Eagle Ridge (VI) as it had footprints on, it turned out to be an excellent route with spaced gear and lots of neve on. Feeling please with ourselves after our first day we went into Creag an Dubh Loch on Sunday because our friends had climbed Labyrinth Direct on the Saturday; however all the ice was melting fast, so we ran up Hanging Garden Route (V), then returned to the car early. The conditions this winter have been awesome and they look set to stay that way for a while yet still! This really is the best winter (for winter climbing) I have known.

So if you’ve used any of these:

• La Sportiva Miura Velcro
• La Sportiva Miura Lace Up
• La Sportiva Katana
• 5.10 Anasazi Verde
• 5.10 Anasazi Velcro
• 5.10 Anasazi Lace-Up v2
• 5.10 Siren
• Red Chili Spirit
• Red Chili Spirit Velcro
• Red Chili Spirit Lady Velcro
• Mad Rock Frenzy EZ
• Mad Rock Flash
• Mad Rock Phoenix

Then complete our survey for your chance to win.

Cheers,
Sam