George Cave

Kitzsteinhorn mist

Snow and poor visibility across the whole of Austria so we did our best to ski the X routes at Kitzsteinhorn.

A snowy hike

A welcome, but unexpectedly heavy dump of snow slowed the Lake District traffic to a gentle, sliding crawl. Getting to Grisedale seemed like a safe option so we went on a quick wintery horseshoe up to Great Rigg and down via Rydal Fell. Sadly, nobody could be bet into a double-pointer dip in Alcock Tarn.

Shivering at Gouther Crag

Just because it’s late December and 1.5° at the car, it doesn’t mean that you can’t go trad climbing. En route to a New Year's week in the Lake District, I persuaded Clay to squeeze in a quick climb. After getting lost three times on the approach, Clay bravely dodged the hot aches and ice patches to follow me up the easiest route of the crag.

Pakistan Expedition

A three week expedition to Pakistan with Clay, Ross, Steve and Karim, climbing in the Gunj-e Dur Valley north of Shimshal. Two new routes on previously unclimbed peaks.

For more photos, please see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/67hours/sets/72157685753210772/

Self Rescue Course

I'd want to do some self-rescue training for a long time, so Clay sorted us out with a guide for day to run through the fundamentals of escaping the system and rescuing hapless seconds. All Will needs to do now is learn to climb again!

Gogarth

Great weather and calm seas for my first trip down onto Wen Slab with Clay. Clay lead the long, delicate first pitch of Concrete Chimney, both handing over to me for the 3D extravaganza of the second.

Low tide was at early afternoon, so we had just enough time to abb all the way down to the base ledges of Britomartis, before Clay watched my weak little arms haul my body up the steep moves to the "smelly cave" above.