Finally after weeks of counting and recounting the votes, the
results are out, the 2005/06 OMscars, better known as the
OUTDOORSmagic annual reader awards, nominated by you and voted for by
the membership of OUTDOORSmagic.
A couple of the categories were fierce close - the pack brand and
online retailer winners triumphed by only a handful of votes in each
case, others were more clear cut. Congratulations to the winners,
speaking of which, the lucky OMers who won a selection of Field and
Trek Stormlite kit are listed in an article of their very own.
The big white envelope is in my hand so here, without any more
blathering are the winners...
BEST CLOTHING BRAND
Winner - Mountain Equipment
Runner-Up - Berghaus
Manchester's own no-nonsense mountaineering brand held off the challenge from the North East's own germanically-hued multi-faceted outdoor giant thanks to some reliable, well-designed kit.
BEST TENT BRAND
Winner - Vango / Force Ten
Runner-Up - Terra Nova
A well-earned win for the Vango / Force Ten guys who are 40 years old this year and produce a massive range of tents from the classic ridge designs right through to massively strong modern geodesics as used by Alan Hinkes. And an honourable runners-up spot for Terra Nova.
BEST BOOT BRAND
Winner - Scarpa
Runner-Up - Salomon
Boots are all about fit and it seems that Scarpa's broad, UK-compatible fit is the choice of a lot of OUTDOORSmagic members with Salomon finishing strongly for a slightly unexpected second place.
BEST PACK BRAND
Winner - Berghaus
Runner-Up - Lowe Alpine
A close one this, but Berghaus just shaded Lowe Alpine in the pack category thanks to a mix of workman-like standards and innovative design in the form of the fascinating and effective Bioflex back system.
BEST ONLINE
RETAILER
Winner - Field and Trek
Runner-Up - Cotswold Outdoor
Another desperately close contest in the online retailer category with Field and Trek just pipping Cotswold Outdoor to the title. An honourable mention too, to Alpkit who finished a strong third despite their relative youth.
BEST SPECIALIST OUTDOORS
SHOP
Winner - Needlesports, Keswick
Runner-Up - Gaynors, Ambleside
Interestingly our best regarded bricks and mortar shops both come from the Lakes suggesting that for spot-on service, Cumbria's the place to go. Keswick's Needlesports took the crown over Gaynors though, well done.
BEST OUTDOORS CAFE
Winner - Pete's Eats
Runner-Up - Cairngorm Mountain Cafe
Voted the quintessential outdoors caff again, Pete's isn't just a handy place for a post mountain snack, it's an institution and the only place to chill when Llanberis is engulfed in classic north Welsh murk. If you haven't been to Pete's, you're missing out... A worthy winner.
BEST CAMPSITE
Winner - Wild camping ;-)
Runner-Up - Wasdale NT site
No doubt where OMers would rather be then, on their own, camped by a deserted mountain tarn, far from the hustle and bustle of organised valley sites. And even the runner-up, the National Trust site at Wasdale, has a gentle undercurrent of remoteness.
BEST NEW PRODUCT
Winner - The Alpkit Range
Runner-Up - Petzl Tikka XP head torch
Sourcing direct from the factory and selling direct from their own web site, Alpkit produces great, no-nonsense, high quality kit at unbelievable prices and next day delivery thrown in and you seem to approve. Runner up, the Tikka XP is a brilliant combination of lighting power and light weight.
BEST OUTDOOR PUB
Winner - The nearest one
Runner-Up - Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Not fussy eh? As long as it's a pub and serves beer no-one really seems that bothered though if you were in Langdale, the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel would probably get your custom...
FAVOURITE UK
DESTINATION
Winner - Lake District
Runner-Up - Glen Coe
It's got it all from classic ridge walks, through scrambles and ambles to some of the best multi-pitch rock routes in the country and it's beautiful too. Of course, if runner up, Glen Coe, could be moved a few hundred miles south, it might be different ;-)
FAVOURITE INTERNATIONAL
DESTINATION
Winner - New Zealand
Runner-Up - The Alps
It's kiwi-appeal as it snatches the prize of dream destination for longhaul OMers thanks to a mix of fantastic tramping and brilliant alpine climbing. Speaking of which, the stalwart Alps come ins second ahead of Nepal or South America.
OM PERSONALITY OF THE
YEAR
Winner - Alan Hinkes
Runner-Up - Pod Bob Cartwright
In the year when he became the first Briton to climb all 14 8,000ers, it was perhaps a forgone conclusion that Alan Hinkes would win the personality vote. He got to meet the queen too. Meanwhile Bob Cartwright's outdoor podcasts gained an appreciative audience. An honorary mention to Steve Perry now, who's self-powered winter Munro round is an extraordinary achievement.
