I live in Matlock and surely it must be the outdoor capital of Central England. Many gritstone and limestone climbing sites are located within a couple of miles, including Pic Tor, High Tor, Wildcat, Willersley, Black Rock & Masson Lees. There is even an indoor climbing wall in Wirksworth - The Face at Anthony Gell School. Continue reading
Mukot Peak, 6087m, Lower Dolpo Nepal October 2015
I was thinking that it had been quite some time since I thought I had made a first ascent of a Himalayan peak. Continue reading
When you mention Mongolia, the home of the legendary Genghis Khan. The majority of people imagine big skies, wide rolling plains, yurts, marmots, horses and a nomadic way of life. Continue reading
6.30 in the morning, I was scrabbling around the house checking my kit. Then re checking for no other reason than to burn off some nervous energy.
It’s arrived! I’m excited and nervous, talking race plans and gear with my training partner and Outside colleague Matt Hood in the car. When we arrive, we sign up – me for the marathon and Hood for the half.
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Don’t be put off; there are loads of options for climbing whether indoors or out. I climb all year round and have hardly been to a wall in the last year! Continue reading
I have never climbed in the Rhinogs area of North Wales before and I have certainly never heard of Foel Penolau and Craig Galch, the two crags we climbed on. Foel Penolau is on the 2000’ contour line high above Llyn Trawsfynydd with commanding views towards Tremadog Bay and the Lleyn Peninsula. A series of short routes that pack a punch like ‘Do the Monkey’ E2 5c are well worth the effort on a good day. Continue reading
Crazy Germans huh? For some reason, Dennis insists on visiting the Peak District every year in the middle of summer. Undeterred by slopers hot and slippery, unfazed by clouds of midges thick, black and hungry, he returns, tries really hard, and falls off. Continue reading
So it's been a while since my last blog. Sorry about that. As I mentioned many moons ago, I was about to become a father and hence the climbing may slow down a little.
So now I am a father, and my daughter Isla is bloody ace, but this is a climbing blog. If you want to see one of my billion photos of her you will have to come in the shop and see me.
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Huge congratulations to Amanda Henchcliffe, one of our regular customers, for successfully climbing Scafell Pike just two years after receiving a life-saving full heart and lung transplant! Continue reading