The OS Outdoors Show In Pictures

After a promising but crowded beginning last year, the OS Outdoors Show really came into its own for 2003. More halls, more exhibitors and simply more to look at including big watersport and adventure travel sections.

More lectures and speakers, more climbing things, more, well, everything really. Including a stuffed sheep, lots of Jordans muesli bars and some heroic poster signing from the likes of Al Hinkes and Sir Chris Bonington.

We could go on like this all day, so instead, here's some pics of what went on...

All advanced tickets for Saturday were sold with 2000 more on the door for sale on the day. Not as bad as last year, but still jam-packed...

Indoor ice-climbing with Sprayway - as popular as ever. The guys were also selling charity tees in aid of the Cherem Project, which supports a Sherpa community.

And now without the axes - there were rock walls pretty mcuh everywhere plus continuous bouldering comps as well. No excuse not to have a go.

Nancy and John of Itchy Feet who scooped the Retail Store of the Year Award in the Go Outdoors Awards 2003. "I'm thrilled and genuinely delighted" said John. The store specialises in outdoor travel kit.

Graham Thompson of Trail Magazine displayed phenomenal stamina with hourly gear clinics interspersed with constant chat with show-goers. He had his own Christmas tree as well...

Next door, Gore's Storm Cube with built in hair dryier did sterling, shocking more than one visitor with the sheer nastiness of wind chill. Mmmm...

The new Garmin Geko GPS - it really is tiny.

This Herdwick was well and truly hefted to its stand. Of course, out in the real world, farmers shoot small children for doing this sort of thing - sheep worrying they call it...

Back by popular demand, the spectator thrills of indoor adventure racing....

TGO's Cameron McNeish, one of many speakers pulling in the crowds at the Mountain and Adventure Travel theatres.

Lots of bouldering at all levels. Neat.