Climbing runs through my life like a chord. The highs, lows and lucky days have made for a rich journey, where nothing is quite like it seems and covid-19 gives pause for a new reflection
Read More
I have only memories of some my most enjoyable and richest experiences in life. I might’ve forgotten (or ignored) my camera, phone and watch. Does everything need to be shared? Does everyone need a GoPro on their ice axe to capture the ‘extreme’ selfie?
Read More
After climbing the Frêney Pillar on Mont Blanc with Tony Stone, I reflected on my progress, free climbing ideas, style, and why it all matters.
Read More
The Mountain Equipment Tupilak Atmo is ‘almost’ the perfect alpine climbing jacket, in my opinion. Here’s why.
Read More
Covid and climate change are deep concerns to our liberty, health and ability to go climbing - both here in Europe and around the world. But there’s hope on the horizon, and I’m motivated to do my part to help make positive change.
Read More
A piece of writing about the encroaching fear that comes with the night, and bivvying in the mountains. A storm caught Pete Graham and I near the top of the Walker Spur (Grandes Jorasses) during a winter ascent. We slumped onto the only ledge we could find for a long, cold night…
Read More
A short piece of writing about the ritual of coiling the rope at the end of another climbing day: tired arms and repetitively going through the motions, stacking loop over loop…
Read More
To mark the current position of the UK’s ‘Young Alpinist Group,’ recording where it’s been and where it hopes to go.
Read More
A short piece about Deep Water Soloing the route, ‘I Ran The Bath’ (E7/7b) with Andy Moles. The route climbs above a lake in Vivian Quarry, a short walk from the village of Llanberis in North Wales. Mixing DWS and pure soloing above the mirror-like surface of the lake made for some interesting moments.
Read More
After an eventful alpine climbing trip to Pakistan, I continued the ‘duffle shuffle’ lifestyle and then spent four months in Europe (mostly) living in my van. The simple existence of climbing, and where it takes you, is great fun. From sport to alpine to trad, and then almost to the mountains - before the corona virus arrived…
Read More
An English version of my interview to the German-language ‘Klettern’ magazine. They asked me a few questions about alpinism, recent routes, the Piolet d’Or and why the Brits are rubbish considering we have no big mountains…
Read More
A short write-up of my new route (‘The Great Game’) in the Hindu Raj region of Pakistan with Ally Swinton, last autumn 2019
Read More
A few highlights from 2019. From sport in Spain, to alpine climbing in Canada, the Alps and Pakistan… and then back to Spain.
Read More
A short piece of writing which delves deep into climbing, risk and reward. Climbing is everything, right? But what’s the point of it all?
Read More
Conan the Librarian (E6 6b) defines sea-cliff climbing at Gogarth - which is a defining part of UK traditional climbing. The route climbs from sea level to the top of Wen Zawn, via some of the steepest, wildest, juggiest, loosest rock. It’s just the best type of adventure you can have, and one of the routes I’d saved for a very long time. Together with Ben Silvestre, I’m glad we saved the route…
Read More
A short piece of writing about onsighting Authentic Desire, an E7 6b at Cloggy, with Alex Mason. I lured myself on with numerous optimistic, non-committal ‘maybes,’ until I was lay-backing the knife-edge arête and gunning for the top. Worth doing, and the route certainly lives up to its name.
Read More