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How To Plan A Mountain Climbing Event Even skilled mountain climbers try to familiarize themselves with their target area before heading off, so make

Climbing Blocks — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:25:16 +0000

map, read the guidebooks, ask people who’ve had experience in the area and scout a route. Once you know what to expect from the area in and around the mountain, decide on your pacing – how fast or slow you will be traveling, what time you’ll start, what kind of terrain will be involved and how far before you stop. Find out if you could use your own car to drive to the area and if there is parking available. If not, ask about shuttle services that may be provided. Get some mountain outing skills You don’t have to be a certified mountain man to enjoy a mountain outing, but your group should at least have one or two people who know something about living and surviving in the wilderness. At least have one person who has skills such as, how to navigate the mountains, start a fire or put up a tent. Make sure your fitness level and mountain skills are sufficient for your outing. Don’t attempt to go on a mountain outing hoping to get through with luck and a few basic skills. Make sure the technical skills of at least one group member exceed the difficulty level of the hike or outing. Mind the weather Consider the season when you’re planning a mountain outing. Knowing what to expect can help you organize a safer and more enjoyable trip and prevent unpleasant surprises that might occur. Check with the weather bureau about weather conditions a day before your outing and on the day itself. Never, under any circumstance, try to go on a mountain outing when a storm is headed your way. Contact the forest service They are in charge of the campgrounds and in many areas in the US, people who go out for mountain hikes, picnics or outings are required to register before heading out. They can also alert you on the hazards and dangers that you’ll need to watch out for during your outing. Dress up for the occasion It’s a mountain outing, so dress in clothes that will be comfortable and still provide protection. Wear the appropriate shoes, hats and jackets and if you’re going in winter, wear the right type of clothing that will provide sufficient insulation and protection, including gloves and snowshoes. Food and water Plan your meals during the mountain outing and bring enough food and water to last you during the trip. Have extra provisions just in case you run out. Bring your med kit Sure, it’s an outing and you’re out there to have fun, but remember you’re in unfamiliar territory. Little accidents could occur, such as cuts, bumps, scratches and insect bites. Bring a first aid kit that includes bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauzes, adhesive bandages, insect repellant, antibiotic ointment and blister pads. You might also want to bring over-the-counter medicines such as pain relievers, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic over-the-counter drugs. For insect bites and allergies, bring anti-itch lotions and ointments. Gear up Bring the necessary tools and equipment you will need during the outing. Tents and camping gears, flashlights, blankets, matches, fuel, forks, knives, can openers and other things necessary to make your trip comfortable and safe should be packed up and stored in your bags. Don’t forget to bring your maps and guidebooks and make sure you can easily access them during the trip. Fill ‘er up Make sure your car has a full tank of gas before heading out. On your way to the mountains, check out the gas stations along the way and take note of the nearest station from the parking area once you’ve reached your destination. It’s also a good idea to have an extra gallon stashed in case of an emergency. Leave something behind Before leaving for your mountain outing, leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member or a friend. The itinerary should include where you’re going, what time you’re leaving, who the group members are and what time you expect to return. Appoint a leader It could be you or somebody else who has the essential navigation and climbing skills. Get at least two or more group leaders if you have a bigger group. This will help break down the number of people to a manageable level and will make it easy to track individuals to account for their presence or absence. Before the hike, the group leader/s should count how many participants or group members he has. If the trip is long, he should do this periodically during the hike and do the counting again once they’ve reached the camp or picnic ground. Plan for emergencies Have a sound emergency route in case you need to bail out. Make sure the group knows about this and are familiar with the necessary steps to make. Above all, plan a mountain outing based on safety. You will enjoy it more if you know that you have nothing to worry about during the outing and that you can go home safe and sound when it’s over

Explore The Rating System About Climbing

Climbing Blocks — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:46:29 +0000

Climbers trying to scale a mountain need to know what its characteristics are and the level of difficulty involved for a successful climb. This is why mountains have a rating system for climbing. For beginner climbers and climb leaders, this is one of the most important technical information about mountain climbing that they should learn. The rating system is a widely accepted grading method that tells a climber the level of skill and stamina required to scale a particular mountain for free climbing. The system rating also varies from one country to another. There are several types of mountain climbing rating systems, including the Ewbank, UIAA, French and British and Irish. Ewbank Developed by John Ewbank, the Ewbank system was originally intended to provide a rating for the difficulty level of individual moves required for a climb. These days, other considerations are included, such as technical difficulty, strenuousness, exposure and protection levels. This is a system that is used in countries like South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. UIAA The UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme) is a rating system used for Austria and Western Germany. The French rating system is used in France, Italy and Spain. You probably might encounter this system for especially difficult climbs. British and Irish The British rating system uses the technical grading and the adjectival grading. The technical grading establishes the level of movement difficulties required for the climb and the adjectival grading rates the general difficulty level. It uses the same system as the French rating and grades are often prefixed with ‘F’. An adjectival rating system indicates the general difficulty assessment of a climb. Essentially, it consists of: M – Moderate D/Diff – Difficult VD/VDiff – Very Difficult HVD – Hard Very Difficult S – Severe HS – Hard Severe VS – Very Severe HVS – Hard Very Severe E1, E2, E3, E4, etc. – Extremely Very Severe. This is also an open-ended rating, although the latest climb with the hardest grade is at E11. A confirmed climb graded with the highest difficulty so far is E9. In case you’re wondering, ‘E’ for Easy is hardly used as an adjectival rating for mountain climbing. Also, if you looked in some guidebooks, you might find more detailed descriptions to rate a climb, such as ‘Mild Severe’ or ‘Mild Difficult’. These are used to include several factors that could vary such as conditions from the ground and on different elevations. The YDS The YDS or the Yosemite Decimal System was developed particularly for mountain climbing in the Sierra Nevada. It consists of the climbing grade, class and protection, although usage for the latter two varies. This is the rating system that is used in North America and often consists of two numbers. The first number indicates the class while the second indicates the level of difficulty. The grade indicates the approximate number of hours that a normal climb requires and is often used for mountaineering. This isn’t used for shorter rock climbs. Grade I – requires 1-2 hours Grade II – less than 1/2 day Grade III – one-half day Grade IV – one day climb Grade V – two days Grade VI – more than two days Grade VII – one week or more The YDS Class indicates the technical difficulty of a climb. Class 1 – indicates a mountain climb that is good for trail walking, with a small chance of sustaining a fall or injury that is fatal. Class 2 – indicates a mountain that is possibly steep and requires some scrambling, especially off-trail. A Class 2 climb can mean that a climber will need to use his hands or a tool like an ice axe for balance or to pull himself up. This class also indicates a greater chance of sustaining a severe injury, although it’s still not considered fatal. Class 3 – means that the mountain climb will require hand and foot holds and tools such as crampons and ice axes. The use of ropes may also be indicated. Class 4 – requires ropes and anchored belays. Otherwise, falls could prove fatal to the climber. Class 5 – not only requires ropes and anchored belays but also protection points, spread intermittently throughout the climb. This can also indicate increasing difficulty as the climb progresses. Class 5 also indicates rock climbing on a nearly vertical or vertical rock. The protection rating used by the YDS is often optional, but it is quite useful when trying to determine the requirement for protection quality and spacing during a climb. G – stands for Good, indicating solid protection. PG – is Pretty Good, with a few sections where placements are either non-existent or poor at best. R – is Runout, meaning some placements are spaced far apart X -means no protection and that the climb is very dangerous Some guidebooks list a rating system for a climb in extremely detailed figures, such as 4.5, 5.2 or 5.6 that’s why climbers need to study the rating systems used in a particular area to familiarize themselves. It is also important to note that improvements in climbing gear and equipment and increase in climbing standards also meant that a climb rated with a high level of difficulty may currently be recognized as a moderate climb. These are some slight changes that mountain climbers should be aware of. For successful and safe mountain climbing, it is absolutely necessary to familiarize yourself with the rating system used. Wherever you are in the world, you will know what to expect and be prepared for your climb.

Enjoying Rappelling With Mountain Climbing

Climbing Blocks — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:04:49 +0000

Mountaineering, mountain climbing, top rope, bouldering or rock climbing, whatever you want to call it, these names all pertain to the wonderful and exciting sport of reaching the peak of a goal. Experienced climbers know the adventure and fun in store in climbing a mountain. There are many trails, sites and stopovers that can definitely provide you a whole new perspective. People sometimes need a change of scenery to refresh the body and the mind. Mountain climbing and exploring the outdoors can give the right setting for such needs. This is also a good opportunity to get closer to nature. Thus, it is best for you to explore this wholesome activity. This is one good way to challenge your body. This is also a way to stimulate the mind and spirit by giving it a refreshing drive. You will do more than just mere hiking when you go mountain climbing. You will also get to learn how to work well with other people in a group, proper balancing, controlling movements, following a lead and even taking safety considerations. Rappelling is also one thing that you can only enjoy here. It will definitely be one of the best decisions you will make in your lifetime. Thus, if you are interested in learning the many ways of mountain climbing and rappelling, you must do your homework. Research on how you can start on this activity and take initiative in making this plan a reality. Some Helpful Tips for Climbing and Rappelling Activities For most beginners, this exciting sport will have to be properly prepared to ensure safety and fun at all times. Here are some points to keep in mind when you go mountain climbing and rappelling. 1. Climbing Guides First consideration is the need to take caution at every step of the way. It is best to get the assistance of a climbing guide. Basically, the guide will keep you on track. Make sure that he or she is qualified enough to take on the task. A certification by the IFMGA or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association will be a good assurance. 2. Get Proper Instruction There are many equipment, terms and techniques that you will encounter in climbing. These will come in handy as you communicate with fellow climbers and learn the various ways they do their climbing and rappelling. As such, it is best to get the right education when it comes to such things. There are instructions offered by climbing guides, groups or organizations that can cater to your level of ability. Be sure to take this opportunity. The beginners can be best taught the proper ways in climbing and rappelling through training. Indoor man-made rock walls will help in giving you a feel of what you will face outdoors. Most people find rappelling down more difficult than climbing up. If you train indoors, you can learn rappelling techniques until you are confident enough. This way, you can easily learn even if you are still trying to overcome your fears. You can also choose to get personal instruction on your rappelling abilities. The personal instructor can very well adjust to your pace and guide you in every detail that you need to focus on. 3. Have the Right Equipment Any climbing and rappelling endeavors must also be supported by the right equipment at hand. Make sure you have all the necessary things on hand. The helmet is a must to keep you head safe from any falling debris, bumps, or bruises. The climbing shoes must also be worn to keep you safe from any slippery steps. Check also the climbing package. Make sure you have all the tools needed like the food, rope, chalk, harness among many others. Make sure also that you take care of your equipment really well. For example, if you want to focus more on rappelling, you must keep the necessary things at hand. Protect your rappel and know how to use it when the need arises. By doing these things, you can easily focus on the fun experience. Conclusion Mountain climbing and rappelling may be foreign to you for now, but with the right research, preparation and training, you will definitely be one of those raving on how fun these adventures can get.

An Introdcution To Rock Climbing

Climbing Blocks — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:45:39 +0000

Rock climbing is one sport that many people fall for. Lots of individuals are interested in this activity that continues to enjoy popularity. People of all ages are curious of what they can get from this rock climbing adventure. There are various aspects in rock climbing that might attract different individuals. The athletic types might very well be challenged by the exhilarating activities involved. They might enjoy the obstacles, the twists and turns. There will also be lots of walking, thus, the body will definitely get a work out. This can also encourage people who love nature. This is one way to go outdoors and appreciate the many wonders of nature as you travel your way up the rocky slopes. Those who are seeking a change of scenery or who simply want to be stimulated, rock climbing will be helpful. It can awaken your mind and spirit. The heights can give you that effect. The Basics of Rock Climbing Rock climbing is one exhilarating sport that can require a lot from your body and skills. As such, the first thing to consider is to get the proper training to prepare you to what lies ahead. Today, there are man-made rock climbing walls that you can use to train in the metropolitan areas. It is also a perfect alternative when the weather is bad. These indoor rock climbing walls can help you learn the various climbing techniques. The safety is also ensured by the rock climbing experts who will keep you in their watch and supervision. Each wall is constructed and designed to resemble the natural setting of a rock environment. There are also different levels of difficulty so you can improve your skills step by step. Some people even get addicted to indoor rock climbing as it is very convenient and fun. Just make sure that this alternative has its own purpose, but nothing can compare to the real outdoors. There are many more adventures to enjoy in the outdoors. Some Rock Climbing Tips Here are some tips that you can keep in mind so you can learn how to make the most of your opportunity to explore the outdoors. 1. Find the right location when you do outdoor rock climbing. Not all rocks and slopes can provide the optimum setting for the rock climber. Make sure that the rock can be traversed, either vertically or horizontally. This is why it is best to have an experienced guide wherever you go so that your efforts won’t be futile. 2. It is equally important to find rocks that are stable and solid. These are the ideal rocks for your climbing endeavors. 3. Choose the locations that have favorable weather conditions. It is also good to stick to a location where trails already exist. 4. Most people think that rock climbing is very dangerous because of the danger of falling. However, most of the injuries that will be encountered are due to straining of the body parts. As such, you must do the right warm up and stretching exercises to prevent the injuries on your tendons and muscles. 5. It is also very important to undergo proper training before taking on a serious climbing activity. Train your balance skills as this is useful when you go around the various surfaces. Some people work on growing large muscles. However, it is your overall strength that will matter most. Your limbs must be able to sustain strains and your fingers must have enough strength. 6. Some people will enjoy going to areas that aren’t crowded to enjoy more privacy. However, going in large groups or being close to other people will be more of an advantage during emergency situations. It is easier to get timely help when there are many companions. 7. Rock climbing equipment is also a must to ensure the safety. There are specific rock climbing shoes that will give you the right grip especially on slippery surfaces. Helmets are important to protect your head from falling debris when you climb. It is also a good way to avoid unnecessary bumps and bruises to your head. Conclusion Rock climbing is one cool activity that you can learn and indulge in. Just take the helpful tips above and you can ensure your safety and fun.

Getting A Rope For Mountain Climbing

Climbing Blocks — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:12:06 +0000

Mountain climbing or mountaineering is one of the best physical activities for people who love nature. It can be done in the mountains, in rocky slopes or on icy peaks. The goal simply is to reach the top. The summit of the mountain will definitely be a good reward for the individual who worked his or her way to that goal. As you aim for the highest peak in mountain climbing, you can also enjoy the many adventures along the way. You get to walk various paths. You will also see and find wonderful things in nature. These factors make mountain climbing more than just another physical activity. Mountaineering makes one aware of the various elements of nature. These heights and sights are more than just pleasing. They can also be mentally stimulating and spiritually refreshing. These factors make the activity enjoyable by experts and beginners alike. Proper Mountain Climbing To reap the benefits of mountain climbing, it is very important to keep at hand the necessary guidelines on how to properly mountain climb. The challenges of mountaineering involve climbing skills, physical conditioning, navigating and perseverance. All of these have to be done properly to ensure that you execute the whole climbing experience in the best way possible. Beginners can best enjoy this experience if they have an experienced mountain guide to lead them through. The guide can ensure the safety of the adventure and know as well the right places to go for the best sights. It is also important to focus on bringing along the right equipment that will enable you to move along and reach the heights you aim for. Mountain Climbing Equipment For most beginners, it is best to learn the basics of mountain climbing when it comes to equipment. These items are more than just handy. They are the essentials to ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure in the mountains. There will be many things to learn and discover in this aspect. The equipment will have its own use, techniques, nomenclatures and caring requirement. Knowing such can be used to advance your skill for mountain climbing. The various equipments used range from the usual climbing gears, outfit, supplies, harnesses, compass, chalk and ropes. Mountain Climbing Ropes Rope is definitely one of the items on your list that you have to prioritize. Rope can come in handy in most hiking activities, but it is especially crucial in mountain climbing. Climbing the rocks or mountains will keep you safe if you have the rope at hand. Thus, you must never ever forget to have this item when you go outdoors. Here are some tips on how to properly select the rope for your mountain climbing goals. 1. It is easy to find a rope in shops. However, it is best to go to sports shops or specialty stores for mountaineering to get the right kind of climbing rope. 2. Some climbing tools are sold in packages. Rope is a basic tool, thus, it is easy to expect the package to have one. 3. Ropes are also sold separately. It is even easier to find one that suits your needs if you buy it separately. Thus, the specifications, material, texture and thickness can be easily determined. 4. A typical climbing rope must have a range of ten to eleven millimeters diameter. It should be around 50 to 60 meters long. 5. Find a rope with the right material. Most people will seek the rope that will provide the best feel to their hands. This shouldn’t be the first priority. The climbing rope will of course have contact on your skin, but there are other ways to ensure your comfort. The climbing rope that you choose must be able to stretch, especially when there is tension. This will ensure that in the event of a slip or fall, the rope will provide added protection to the situation. Conclusion Mountain climbing may just be the perfect activity for you. Explore your skills and capabilities as you discover nature around you. Just bring along the right climbing rope and you can be sure that you are safely inching your way to the top.

Know The Equipment You Need For Rock Climbing

Climbing Blocks — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:38:39 +0000

There are many heights that people want to reach, both literally and figuratively. For rock climbers, they want to reach the peak of the high summits that will give them a good view of this wonderful sight. That and many other reasons are some of the things that attract people to mountain climbing. With the busy lifestyle of this modern world, being on a mountain peak can really help one feel closer to nature. This can also help in refreshing the mind and the spirit. It can also challenge the body to reach its maximum potential in going through the natural mountain paths to reach the highest goal. The Sport of Rock Climbing Mountain climbing or mountaineering is one classic sport. For decades, this activity has been done. It used to be just a hike in the mountains. Today, it involves different combinations of snow, ice, mountain or rock climbing with a mixture of camping and rappelling. No matter what the combination may be, the one thing aimed for in this endeavor is to reach the top. All efforts and will are directed to get to the peak. As such, many people are challenged to engage in rock climbing. They know that there is so much to the adventure that they can enjoy. There might however be some people who still hesitate because of the fear that they may not be good enough or that they might not have the right skills to survive. Mountaineering or rock climbing is something that can be learned and pursued by anyone interested. All that needs to be done is to give it the right amount of time, effort and consideration. Also, one good way to keep away the fear of some people is to make sure that all the necessary equipment and safety gears that will make the whole adventure for your plans. Rock Climbing Equipment Rock climbing will entail more than just walking in the woods. Thus, bringing along the right equipment will enable you to weather out any challenges along the way. To make sure that you are properly equipped as you go on rock climbing, here are some tips to keep in mind. 1. Rope The rope is important in rock climbing. This is one item that you can’t miss on your equipment list. This serves as a security from possibility of falling. Make sure you have one. When buying the rope for rock climbing, it is best to choose the ones that have a diameter of ten to eleven millimeters. It should also be 50 to 60 meters long. 2. Harness The harness is what you wear to keep you tied to the rope. This is the ones that you wear around your body and is attached to rhe rope and it will keep you from falling when you climb on the rocks. Make sure that your harness fits your body properly. It must be comfortable enough in your waist and thigh areas. 3. Chalk and Chalk Bag The chalk is what you use to keep your hands capable of gripping firmly on the rocks or rope. This is rubbed on the hands to minimize the damp. It comes in ball form or powdered type. The chalk bag must be attached to your harness so that you can easily access it when the need arises. These two items can be easily bought at any sports shop or specialty store. 4. Climbing Shoes When you are out rock climbing, you can’t depend on the ordinary rubber shoes or boots. You need the ones made especially for rock climbing. They must fit you just right, snug but comfortable enough to let you move. 5. Helmet Helmet is one important item in rock climbing as it protects the head from any falling debris, especially the ones that fall off because of people climbing ahead of you. It also helps avoid unnecessary bruising and bumps that you might get when you bump against a wall or rock. Conclusion Rock climbing will be both safe and fun if you have the right equipment. Just keep in mind these points and you will surely learn how to enjoy this experience to the best you can.

Young Elementary Age Children Love to Play With the Best Toy

Climbing Blocks — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:52:59 +0000

With so many toys on the market today, it is sometimes hard to choose the best educational toys for your child. Educational toys are toys that help a child develop essential skills needed for success in life, including, but not limited to, thinking skills, social and emotional development, and the tools needed to learn math, reading, and writing. Something as simple as a cardboard box can be an educational toy if your child plays with it in a creative way.

When your child reaches the elementary school age, he has a strong grip on many basic skills and has begun to develop many specific interests. Friends and relationship gain extreme importance during these years as well, so our child will engage in lots of social play. Early elementary age children still love to play, but the best toys and games for this age are more detailed and more advanced than those they played with as preschoolers and babies.

Early elementary age children have mastered most large motor skills like running and jumping and enjoy sharpening those skills with lots of physical play. Their social behavior and strong value of friends means many of these games and physical activities are designed for group play. Team sports and backyard games of baseball or tag are increasingly popular during these years.

Bicycles, jump ropes, and even skates are ideal outdoor toys at this age. Encourage your early elementary age child to spend lots of time playing outside, especially with his friends. Outdoor play sets with swings and climbing features promote healthy physical development and benefit your child with fresh air and exercise. Social skills continue to develop as well as children play together and follow rules for outside games like Hide and Seek.

Young elementary age children still learn about their world through pretend play. Outdoor forts or play houses can provide hours of new adventures as children expand their imaginations with new and unusual play scenarios. Pretend play enhances language skills and social growth, and helps children gain a better understanding of their personal feelings and ideas as well as the world around them.

Dolls, action figures, and their props are usually popular pretend toys for young elementary schoolers. Take care to select dolls and play sets that reflect your personal family values. While many of today’s “popular” toys portray pop culture looks and attitudes, there are still wholesome dolls available that teach modesty and kindness.

Early elementary age children enjoy using their still-developing fine motor skills as well as their cognitive understanding to master new crafts, develop new creations, and to master fun games. Remote control cars and planes are great choices for this age. Young elementary agers may enjoy building and painting models as well, but many may still need guidance as they work on these projects.

Continue to provide your young elementary age child with a wide selection of books. Encourage him to read to himself and invite him to read aloud to you and younger siblings. This is a good age to begin selecting short chapter books to use during your daily story time. Make puppets with your child and act out his favorite stories to make reading and comprehension even more interesting.

Social board games are also great choices at this age. Games like classic Battleship are not just fun, they increase logical thinking and problem solving skills as well as promote good sportsmanship and social development. Multi-piece jigsaw puzzles are also great activities at this age. Puzzles enhance mechanical and fine motor skills, concentration, and perseverance. Young elementary age children also enjoy fun, educational computer games. Educational software appropriate for this age are available in several specific interest areas and are designed to develop a number of various skills, including math, creative thinking, and logic.

Turning Point: Fall of Liberty

Climbing Blocks — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:31:38 +0000

Contemplating alternate dimensions will melt your brain. There are theories which propose that every possibility – from the submolecular to the macroscale – leads to a new dimension. An idea that yields unimaginably huge numbers of realities sitting side by side, some just a molecule different, and others that are radically changed.

Turning Point takes a common change as its inspiration, where the Nazis do somewhat better in World War II and invade the United States. But after playing it, it’s not that nightmare dimension that I find myself dwelling on. I’m reassuring myself that somewhere out there in the multiverse there’s one where Turning Point isn’t complete rubbish.

For much of the five hours you’ll take to complete it, you’ll find that hard to believe. It manages to take one of the most explored popular genres – the Half-Life/Call of Duty-styled linear shooter – and makes a glorious mess of it at just about every stage.

Turn around…

Animation glitches? Technical errors? Performance problems? Perverse difficulty spikes? Haywire Al? Hey, take your pick. It even manages to find its own novel ways to be terrible. I can’t even choose my favorite. The fact it refuses to go to a higher resolution than 1024×768? Its collision frames often being so misshapen that when you’re forced to fight on Tower Bridge, you can’t shoot between many of the girders? Or how about if you step too close to a button, you can no longer press the thing, forcing you to step back and forth until you find the sweet spot? Such a surfeit of unriches And, above it all, there’s the nagging knowledge that if the team were given the months required to hammer out the problems and become all it could be, the resultant game would have climbed to the dizzying heights of mediocrity.

What heady heights it does manage to scale are neatly cribbed from its betters, making a half-hearted attempt at the linear-roller-coaster thrills of Half-Life 2, et al. The closest they get is the opening, where you’re disturbed from working on the New York Skyline by the Nazi attack on Manhattan. Planes fly past, blimps fill the sky, people fall to their deaths – and there’s a flicker of what the game wanted to be. It emerges occasionally later on – during the arrival at Tower Bridge (don’t ask) and the storming of the White House – but it fails due to a lack of the sense of control which Valve and Infinity Ward bring to the gaming table.

A linear game is supposed to concentrate on tricking the player into not realizing it, with subtle pointers making the player naturally do what the designer desired. Developers, Spark Unlimited has managed to fail completely at this, as I found skipping back to the objective screen being the only way to work out where I was meant to go next.

…every now and then

Bar its setting – which takes a Return to Castle Wolfenstein-esque science-fantasy approach to the Germans – Turning Point does manage a couple of more unusual features. For example, you’re able to climb obstacles and shimmy along pipes (Sam Fisher style). Also, if you get close to an opponent, you can grab hold of them, and either do an auto-kill or use them as a human shield. In certain (pre-planned) areas, the instant kill can trigger its own animation, like drowning the Hun in a toilet bowl or throwing them off a skyscraper. (An approach last seen in The Punisher). Even here though, it fails. The ability to climb some things when the game blocks passages with small piles of rubble just leaves it looking stupid. The grabbing, like much of the game, is somewhat twitchy – as far as I could work out, it’s impossible to get hold of an enemy when they’re kneeling.

If it wasn’t for the abominable Soldier of Fortune 3 this would have been the worst shooter from a mainstream publisher in recent times. As it is, this is just an astonishingly poor example of the genre. A perfect storm of cynical derivative design and slipshod implementation, the only sensible reaction to Turning Point should be to turn away.