Archive for December, 2011
Clothing for Winter Climbing
At last there’s been major snow in the Highlands! The raw weather of the last 10 days has meant big accumulations in all the climbing areas and although at the time of writing the avalanche hazard is rated Considerable, the forecast is for a good freeze-thaw cycle to settle a more stable snowpack for an [...]
Dry Tooling At The Foundry, Sheffield
I’ve done plenty of seasons ice climbing over the last 13 years, I’ve done gully’s and ridges in Scotland and the Lakes, climbed Water Ice in Norway and in the Alps, but so far I’ve never done any of serious mixed climbing, sure I’ve torqued an icy crack on a buttress when the ice has [...]
COLD WARS – Video Profile
“The joy of climbing is a private thing between me and climbing…Our relationship is complicated” Andy Kirkpatrick The US magazine Climbing once described Andy Kirkpatrick as a climber with a “strange penchant for the long, the cold and the difficult”, with a reputation “for seeking out routes where the danger is real, and the return [...]
The Eiger – Triumph and Tragedy, and an Evening at the RGS
It is some 45 years since John Harlin fell to his death from the Eiger Nordwand in 1966, however the pain and power of the event still looms large in the psyche of Sir Chris Bonnington. On Thursday 1st December I had the pleasure of hearing him speak on the subject at the Royal Geographical [...]
ProBalm For Skin Repair
If like me, your leisure activities are tough on your skin you need to treat yourself to some skin repair. Climbing and bouldering can be particularly brutal. I’m sure you’ve all had those sessions where you feel like you left most of the skin from your fingertips on the wall. I know the guys from [...]
Merrell Outbound Gore-Tex® Jacket
The first thing my girlfriend said when she saw the Merrell, Outbound jacket was “Hmmm, it’s very girly. I think you should give it to me, it’ll suit me better”. Nice try Emma!!! What Merrell say about the Outbound Gore-Tex® Jacket Waterproof, breathable technical performance that’s ready to hike ridgelines and push ahead, the supple [...]
StoneMonkey Adrenaline Jacket
You may have read my recent review of the Dinas Supersnug Hoody from one of my new favourite clothing brands, StoneMonkey. I promised you a review of the Adrenaline Jacket too, so here it is. What StoneMonkey say about the Adrenaline Jacket Men’s warm windcheater jacket With ¼ zip fastening and drawstring hood to keep [...]
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