Midlands mbased Debbie Corbett, after 4 short visits the Parisella´s Cave, Llandudno. completed Rockatrocity, Font 7C on the 10th of March. It´s thought that this is the first female ascent. On the same day 22 year old Stu Watson, fresh from winning the Manchester Climbing Centre Bouldering competition made the fourth ascent of Voyager, Font 8B, at Burbaneg North. Source: UKBouldering A dramatic bid was made this week by lawyers to stop the Public Local Inquiry into the controversial proposals for a gigantic power line running down the spine of Scotland from the Highlands to the Lowlands. A legal submission was submitted to the Inquiry at Perth that, following completion of the applicant?s evidence, the Reporters conducting the inquiry should recommend refusal now, without hearing further evidence. A major flaw has been found in the case presented by the applicants showing that the regulator, OFGEM, has failed in its statutory duties with regard to considering environmental impacts and sustainability of the development. ?These are material considerations and our legal advice is that, as a matter of law, Scottish Ministers cannot grant consent unless they take these into consideration?, said Helen McDade of the John Muir Trust and convenor of the Beauly Denny Landscape Group of objectors. ?There is no evidence that OFGEM carried out its statutory duties as regards environmental matters and sustainable development and therefore the application is fatally flawed?. Davie Black of the Ramblers Association added; ?This is just another nail in the coffin of this flawed proposal. The level of disregard shown to the legislative and planning process is offensive; especially when we are considering a project that will be the largest industrial development seen in the Highlands. We believe that the application can no longer succeed and that to pursue it would be a waste of time and public money. The inquiry should be brought to an end now? The Beauly to Denny powerline proposal and associated wind power developments have been highly controversial from the outset. The 220 km route, with 600 pylons (up to 60 metres in height ? equivalent to Scotts Monument) evoked over 17,000 objections. David Gibson, Mountaineering Council of Scotland explained; ?The level of objections illustrate the intrinsic value people place on Scotland?s mountain landscape heritage. This challenge highlights the cavalier attitude that the applicant and OFGEM have taken with regard to their environmental and legal responsibilities.? 
Indus Films sent us the following press release: Expedition AlaskaCalling all adventurous biologists, environmental scientists and ecologists. We are looking for a group of scientists to join us on a 3 month expedition to one of the most remote parts of the planet: Alaska. If you think you have what it takes to present natural history on TV while sea kayaking, diving, climbing, mountaineering or glacier caving then email sally@indusfilms.com and tom.swingler@indusfilms.com or call 02920 399 555.
