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Climbing mountains or climbing the walls

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Scottish based aspiring mountaineer always on the look out for some new adventure that will stretch and develop me. One half of a husband/wife Alpine adventure couple.
  • Mental Mountains

    Mental Mountains

    A post by Andrew Mallinson our resident expert and Mountain Guide

     

    I suddenly realized I’d been stood stock still for nearly two hours. The digital figures of the central heating timing clock in the kitchen told me that. I was stuck, not knowing what to do next, like being on some desperately difficult rock climb. Only, I’d been stuck for three years. Or rather, I’d been stuck for 30 years, forever perplexed by an apparently impossible series of crux moves on some distant soaring crag.

     

    andy cobbler

    The word “stuck” is probably wrong actually. It implies being stationary…and I hadn’t been. I’d been going down, sliding down the inside of a black funnel. Stood in the kitchen that day I realised I had reached the funnel neck – you know, that bit where it gets narrow and heads straight down. I wondered, quite dispassionately and with increasing curiosity, what it would be like when I shot down the tube and the light went out….

    As I have since realized whilst lost in the kitchen, the last residual vestige of my inner voice spoke. A connection with some apparently unrelated occurrence the previous day, someone from thirty years ago had made an electronic communication. I can’t remember who, probably a friend, once told me that an alcoholic heeds to reach the bottom in order to move forward. I was no alcoholic but I’d hit the bottom. I was dizzy as if I was drunk, but it was accompanied by tears. I needed to ask someone for help. Neurons connected with electronics.

    Texts, emails, and finally tearful ‘phone calls opened my ears to myself, to my inner voice. Two ostensibly simple questions opened the floodgates…who was I born to be ?…..what is the life I was born to lead ? Finding the answers within, (now I was listening!), revealed what I had always known but was afraid to admit for thirty years, to either myself or those around me. Massive anger ensued on an unimaginable scale, occupying every conscious moment. How could I have just wasted all that time? What was the point in changing things at nearly fifty years of age, it was too late anyway? Anger, massive anger, directed at everyone and everything, but principally me.

    I wake up in the mornings now, three months later, and look forward to every day, glad to be alive….literally. I am being me and gradually, step by step, beginning to live again the life I was born to lead. It’s not been easy, far from it. Deeply upsetting at times, the overwhelming anger was at one time consuming me. I still have the odd bad moment even now, but it is only a moment and they are increasingly few in number. Oh yes, and I’m increasingly happy again after thirty years of, at most, periods of contentment.

     

    andyclimbing

    So how did I manage to change? How did I manage to get to the great place I am now in? If I were to sum it up in in one word, it would be “belief”. Belief that it’s OK to be me and not what others wanted me to be or what I thought others wanted me to be. Belief that who I was born to be and the life I was born to lead were as valuable as any other life and just as good. Belief that everything would be OK. Belief that I could and should be happy, not for anyone else, but for me.

    And where did I find my belief? It was within me, always was. I just needed help (don’t we all?) to crank up the volume on my inner voice to enable me to hear it again. My Guide, (rather like a mountain guide), She has seen me over and through the crux moves on the rock climb. I hear my own inner guide now as I head for the top – I will get there. Belief is everything. And happiness. The journey is worth it – do it…..do it now….

    Andrew Mallinson is a mountain guide based in the Cairngorms, Scotland. For more information see http://www.mountainsummits.co.uk

  • To boldly go!

    To boldly go!

    To boldly go where no one has been before is surely every adventurer’s dream.  Be it a new route , a new mountain or – in James Tiberius Kirk’s case – a new galaxy or star system!

    In a week where the BMC and MCofS both boldly went and changed their names, and Star Trek Beyond opened in UK cinema’s (I give it a strong 4.5 our of 5 by the way) closer to home we took a bold new step and started to move out of our beloved home of 10 years to a new flat ahead of a final move later next year.

    More of that later . What about those name changes though?

    So for anyone who didn’t notice the BMC (British Mountaineering Council)  announced it was changing identity and is now Climb Britain. in a similar move the Mountaineering Council for Scotland  (MCofS) is now rebranding to become Mountaineering Scotland .

    The social media response was huge with many dissenting voices feeling that the new Climb Britain identity did not represent them as Hillwalkers or Mountaineers as they don’t see themselves as climbers.

    BMC

    Is a rose by any other name as sweet ?

    The Oxford definition of Climb is :

    Verb  : Go or come up a (slope or staircase); ascend:we began to climb the hill. Use- : the air became colder as they climbed higher he climbed up the steps slowly

    For  many in the outdoors community the word “climb” divides those who walk or mountaineer and those who rock or Ice climb . Alpine climbers being the  blur in the middle I guess. I find this argument a little ironic for today I hear many people refer to “climbing Ben Nevis” when technically they mean going up the pony track. To these hardy adventurers braving the long and winding route, often locked in mist at the highest point of the UK  was a climb but perhaps to a North Face trad climber it was a walk   – and some less than charitable people would possibly even sneer (albeit inwardly im sure for fear of being called elitist) at this pedestrian effort.

    Is it the same mountain walkers who now feel the BMC doesn’t represent them?

    One thing I take from it all – the case has highlighted the enduring passion, energy and love for the pastime and that people have a voice so should use it. For me its no biggie,  I see myself a Mountaineer (probably because I still find rock climbing very difficult!) yet often refer to myself in a truly interchangeable fashion as a climber or an Ice Climber.

    These ponderings and more have been with me as I pack up my life into boxes, like some sort of George Lowe preparing to set off for the summit of Everest. Reaching my new flat and establishing camp. Missing my home comforts, trying to find some small reminder of home – a chair, a picture hung on a wall, my climbing gear neatly stowed in its new home.

    I boldly set off up the new main street on my continuing  mission to find a good local coffee shop before setting off again to gather more boxes and carry them up the stairs to my new base camp and think to myself (as I often do at the top of  particularly long or tough route when considering the descent)      “I wish I had a Star Trek transporter! “.

    Adventures comes in all shapes and sizes, and for me I just started a new and exciting  one and with that comes first of all denial (I’m not moving!), fear (what if..?.), anger (I don’t like change , why do I need to move!) but of course finally acceptance – and in this case I’m sure happiness.

    As Vulcan Scottish Winter climbers say  “Climb long and suffer!”

     

    USS Enterprise image Copyright Paramount Studios.

     

  • Together at the summit. 

    West Lothian Mountaineering Club and friends. Aonach Eagach , Glencoe , Scotland July 23 2016.

    Left to right.

    Alan Mcintosh , Colin McColgan , Fraser Brown (front) , Robert Hastie (back) , Davey Wright , Samantha McIntosh

  • Echoes

    Echoes

    On September 23 2014 my wife and I were on Aonach Eagach ridge, Glencoe, Scotland. Its the UK’s longest, narrowest and possibly most exposed ridge so for mountaineers, scramblers and adventurers of all types its a great day out.

    Running East to West it forms the steep , mist topped North wall of the stunning and atmospheric Glen Coe or Valley of Tears. It’s history is steeped in Clan stories none more heart breaking than the massacre of the McDonald clan in the winter of 1692.

    The date of this event ? – February 13th , my wife’s birthday.

    An echo.

    I am one half McDonald, the other half McIntosh, so Glen Coe holds a special place in my heart , more than for just its  achingly beautiful scenery, its exceptional hill-walking and its famous winter climbing. The pain and loss of family is always almost impossible to bear. I can still remember my parents on one of our family summers in the highlands taking my to visit it’s memorial centre, and then onto the battlefield of Culloden to see our clan graves and the effect it had on me even at a young age.  A link to the past.

    An echo.

    September 23rd 2014.

    After a night camping, Sam and I set off with nervous excitement to tackle the ridge. We had read stories & reviewed guides, heard from others and knew it was going to be  well within our technical ability to traverse this long ridge with its many scrambles, down-climbs and those “Crazy Pinnacle” infamous for their exposure high above the valley.

    We started the day early and with sun out and little wind we set off arriving at the summit of the first top, Am Bodach early . Looking along the ridge was incredible, like nothing we had seen before and we set off eager to take it all in. For anyone who reads Dean Koontz you may recognize the name Bodach. In Koontz’s Odd Thomas stories the Bodach is a bad spirit attracted to impending death. The Bodach’s gather at scenes of death yet to happen. An indicator of whats to come for the character in those books, Odd.

    An Echo.

    At around 1pm we arrived at the peak just before the Pinnacles. A trio of sharp, rocky and spire like formations requiring some nerve, some skill and some careful route choices with loose rocks and very high exposure on both sides. Fairly straightforward for those with experience or guts but incredibly daunting for many or downright terrifying for some.

    I was sitting eating my sandwiches prepared by Samantha, taking in the view and chatting when I heard the faintest but clear sounds of rocks echo off rock as they fell. Not uncommon on a hill but not normal either.

    An Echo.

    For those who have read my previous blogs you will be aware of what happened next and that day will stay with us both for ever but for Samantha it made a deeper mark. It infiltrated her psyche, caused fear where none existed before, second guesses where before was sure footed and as a result ridges became an almost insurmountable challenge for someone who until now had been bold and adventurous in Scotland , the Lakes, the Alps and in Wales. Fear had replaced fun. The events of that day  echoed every time we were in the mountains.

    That’s why yesterday , July 23 2016 , almost 2 years on was one of the most memorable days I know we will have. We returned, Sam with mixed emotions to Glencoe – to the Aonach Eagach – and with friendly company and helping hands of great comrades Fraser and Davy we walked the Aonach Eagach once again.

    For a week before Sam was nervous, we discussed the ridge, taking a confidence rope just in case , alternative routes if it rained – every aspect and every way I could support to ensure Sam had no pressure and only positivity going into it. We need not have worried

    Start to finish, every scramble, down climb and pinnacle – Samantha did it all.Laughing and joking with the rest of us, making good route choices, moving confidently even when nervous, climbing like a boss – every ounce the mountaineer that she truly is, had returned.

    I couldn’t have been prouder of her and I know it will have helped her lay some real ghosts to rest in a place with its fair share of them.

    In an strangely poignant twist of fate as we arrived at the pinnacles we heard the distinctive sound of a helicopter and as we watched a Search and Rescue chopper came out of the north  , flew close and then moved off to hover behind the rocky outcrop known as the Chancellor. At this time i don’t know the reason but hope all was well.

    Same place, same time and here we are again with SAR as our companions.

    An Echo.

    Or a nod from someone who’s eternal home is the mountains  to say

    “Its ok, you can do this.”?

    AonachEagach July2016-41

    In all of this we never lose sight of the wrenching loss to the families of  walkers or climbers who never leave the place they love so much and while for Samantha this was a day of well earned and welcome catharsis that she should truly be proud of  I want us to remember the fallen like Lisa McDermid who never made it home in 2014 and say thanks to to all of those involved in search and rescue in the mountains.

    If anyone would like to support Mountain Rescue in Scotland, a voluntary organisation that relies on public support then visit Scottish Mountain Rescue

    AonachEagach July2016-32

    Sadly an update is that a 44 year old male walker did indeed fall from the ridge on this day and did not survive. Take care out there. Remember getting to the top is only half of the goal, coming home is what really matters. My thoughts go to family and friends.

     

     

     

     

     

  • #Turnaround

    #Turnaround

    With the news and media across all platforms again consumed by the terrible pictures of pain and fear in Europe, the US and across the Middle East & Africa I wanted to post something more to recognise the corner I’ve turned, from being an amplifier for the negativity through Facebook posts, shares, tweets and commentary to being a mirror on what’s good around us instead.

    It’s not always easy to remember there are 7 billion people (7,000,000,000) on Earth – even when there are “many” bad ones they are astronomically outweighed by the good – turn the camera 180 degrees from the shooter and see people helping one another and protecting loved ones in larger numbers – we just don’t have a media that likes good new stories !

    ‪#‎Turnaround see the goodness.

    My thoughts to all in pain and fear (in Nice but also the other places less well represented) but don’t allow yourself to be cowed into fear and depression – never lose the bigger world picture.

    Think about all those amazing people in your family and circle of friends, even the ones you’ve lost touch with or only see once a year, the ones you climb mountains with, go kayaking with, adventuring with, sitting by the fire with, smile at on a train, chat with at work, meet in a bar.

    That’s the real world.

    Count all those people – the ones you see as a positive or happy part of your life, even a neutral one. Count them, go on do it now.

    Got it?

    Now add up all the individuals who have directly impacted your life in a really , tangibly negative way.

    Individually they may seem bigger scarier or more permanent a stain on your consciousness but they are a tiny fraction of the precious, positive loved one’s around us.

    Visualise both groups as standing in a field – which is bigger?

    Don’t be an amplifier of fear.

    #Turnaround

    See the goodness, cherish it and live in it

  • Climbing the walls

    Climbing the walls

    Its been a strange few weeks and months on the climbing front.

    From sheer excitement and confidence of Ice climbing in the alps in March and the successes of Scottish winter in the Cairngorm’s (my first Grade IV lead) to a time of disruption and frustration as we pack up to begin a house move and a regression of my climbing skills.

    I’m not a great climber. In outdoor rock terms I’m not even a good climber but i was getting better.

    We were “crushing” it on the indoor walls, running up our local indoor ice walls like an axe carrying Spiderman and in the Alpine wonderland around Cogne and Chamonix we were in our element – but when I headed to the lakes for a weekend of camping and rock climbing with a friend something went wrong.

    I’ve learned climbing is definitely a mental game and eve mild disruptions to my mental state, any negativity, stress or in this case (mild) hangover just ruins my climbing – I just get the fear!

    And for me its a snowball effect, negative or positive.

    My climbing partner Davy Wright and I had a cracking 2 days at the Great langdale campsite, among other things testing stoves, camping food and a new superlight one man tent he had been sent , we had great weather, a superb pitch with a view of the crag and the pub was only a short walk away – Nirvana!

    20160528_161135

    The climbing however was more challenging. We started off up Evening Wall S 4a which while a bit tricky was fairly straightforward and I was feeling ok. Davy leading we made it up to around half way and then the going got a bit harder. I’m watching Davy lead off and the  reach an overhanging , blocky crux . A stronger climber than me he seemed to be finding it a bit tricky and while I belayed I could feel my stress levels rising. He may be able to make it but can I follow? Finally he seemed to move past it with a straddling move that frankly made me feel sick at the thought of repeating.

    I moved off, moving well then got stuck on a vertical section with no obvious way forward. After frankly a ridiculous amount of time and faffing I moved right and moved up to pass the blockage.

    Stressed and a little shaky from adrenaline , my hangover’s  dull itch at the back of my head and throat I arrived at the move Davy had finally made.

    Before I even arrived at it i had checked out. I know that.

    I am aware of how defeatist that is, but it’s reality.

    I had already decided I couldn’t do it so found umpteen ways to agree with myself .” Its overhanging, its all negative, there are no holds, its sloping the wrong way, its all blocky and I don’t grip well on blocks“… I could go on.

    I’m embarrassed to say I gave up and had to lower off -not an easy task for Davy who had to find a belay , set up an ab and rap off as well and then together we had to climb the hill to retrieve the gear.

    He was great, no judgement – “every day at the crag is fun no matter what” – but i knew it was less that great. And I knew it was my inability to manage my head , not my ability to climb that had let us down. I was relieved to be on the ground but angry at my weakness.

    Turns out we had veered onto a VS crux  (Odin) in error so I don’t feel so bad but the issue was still there.

    20160514_131912

    Fast forward to a local crag and again fear took hold. One move taking me far too long and my lack of confidence limiting the routes.

    Solution?

    Pull back, climb lower and confidently, repeat, build more confidence, celebrate every little success, accept we have off days, ask what I actually expect to achieve, is that realistic?, do I even want to climb at higher grades?

    Once again another great friend and guide , Andy Mallinson helped my with a great coaching question – “do you want to be a rock climber”?

    Answer – actually… not primarily, no.

    Mountaineer and winter/ice climber, yes.Rock?- yes for fun but I’m never going to Dave Macleod and  you know what? – that’s ok!

    Then house moves and packing up belonging took over. A few weeks pass and training takes a a hit, diet goes out the window – I feel weak, out of shape, angry at my self. Then finally  we get back in the gym, get our diet back in check and hit the Indoor wall at Ratho to spend a day “just seeing how it goes”.  No pressure.

    Result? A superb days  climbing, easily making my usual 5+ grade, doing well at 6a. Feeling confident, feeling happy – enjoying it . And when did the climbing actually start? The week before – in the gym, in the diet, talking about it, planning for it , treating it as fun not a goal.

    My heads back in the game but with different expectations and some more realistic goals that I am more happy to accept. At some point you have to do it for fun , not to hit a goal otherwise you’re going to find yourself  at home, frustrated and  climbing the walls.

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  • Forge Excitement

    Forge Excitement

    Do you have FEAR’s?

    Of course you do, we all do.

    Some are built in to protect us however many are things we create that actually hold us back and create risk in other ways.. mainly to our happiness and achievements!

    FEAR

    Forge
    Excitement
    Accept
    Risk

    Sometimes you have to stop, breathe, step to one side mentally and think about the new outcome you can achieve if you leave your fears aside. What is genuinely the worst that could happen? and is that worse than living is the shadow of fear and never reaching the potential you know you have, that we all have?

    Go Forge some Excitement, Accept there may be Risk but agree to manage and overcome it. Push past it, make the leap, take the one step, push up for the next handhold, ask the one question, make the one statement, leave the old behind.

    Go Forge Excitement!   And ….. Relish life.

    I used to be terrified of heights and being in exposed spots where I thought I could fall.

    Now? What do you think?

    image

  • Big Hex – Helping Scottish MRT

    Big Hex – Helping Scottish MRT

    For me it started with a mention about a mythical/insane climbing challenge from a friend Peter Dorrington who was getting me started on rock in early 2013. I thought “I’d never be able to do something like that” then in Spring 2015 Fraser called me and said he was putting a team together to do it and asked if I wanted to join. I knew he was a cracking leader and that Robert (Hastie) was a great man to have on a hill so decided I was in.

    Bobby Motherwell started the Big Hex challenge in 2013 to give climbers a version of the “3 Peaks Challenge” and to raise visibility and funds for Scottish Mountain Rescue. Bobby’s team was the only other team to finish the climbing routes, prior to the West Lothian (Mountaineering Club) team’s attempt.

    Our team led by Fraser Brown, successfully  completed it in 34hrs, 45mins (setting a new record) between September 18th and 19th with a total of 23 hours en route – not travelling, eating or sleeping – raising almost £4000 for Scottish Mountain Rescue in the process. In doing so we not only made the round but set a new record!

    Fraser on NE Buttress, 149 kb

                       Fraser on NE Buttress
                      © Alan McIntosh

    “That 34hrs and 45mins was in itself the best time I’ve ever had on the mountains. The challenge is tough and takes commitment but to do it with two guys who gave it their all and were still able to laugh all the way through was great.”

                             – Fraser Brown , as quoted on the UKC website where you can read the full story 

     

    The routes are (in order of completion):

    Ben Nevis, Fort William

    Ascent:  North East Buttress 300 metres (1892 Sept) J, E, B, & C Hopkinson, Very Difficult ***
    Start Point:        The North Face Car Park
    Descent:            Tower Ridge 600 metres  1892 Sept) J, E, B & C Hopkinson, Difficult ****
    Finish Point:       The North Face Car Park

    The Northern Cuillin, Isle of Skye

    Ascent:  Pinnacle Ridge (1880) C and L Pilkington, Difficult **
    Start Point:        The Sligachan Hotel
    Descent:            West Ridge (Sgurr Nan Gillean) and Coire a’ Bhasteir (Unknown), Moderate **
    Finish Point:       The Sligachan Hotel

    Buachaille Etive Mor, Glen Coe

    Ascent:  North Buttress (West Route) 300 metres (1895 July) W Brown, Rose, W Tough, Moderate *
    Start Point:        Lagangarbh (222 560) SMC Hut Just over the River Coupall opposite Altnafeadh on the A82 road
    Descent:            Curved Ridge 240 metres GB Gibbs, Moderate **
    Finish Point:       Lagangarbh (222 560) SMC Hut Just over the River Coupall opposite Altnafeadh on the A82 road

     

    The 34 odd hours were incredible – we had a brilliant time, climbed well, laughed a lot and pulled each other through. we started climbing as a team and ended as brothers.

    These guys are are a part of me now!

    Extracts from the article we submitted to UKC

  • Finding you feet

    Finding you feet

    Last weekend we were truly lucky enough to be invited to help some kids get onto and enjoy the local  wall at  The Glasgow Climbing Centre.

    The invite was from the Finding Your Feet Charity who do incredible work to support children and adult amputee’s and those born with limb deficiencies.

    We arrived at the GCC unsure of what to expect, we don’t have kids and I was an only child so have little experience with helping them try new tongs or overcome fears plus  if I’m honest they can make me nervous mostly because I’m so keen they like me and think I’m “cool” !

    I needn’t have worried.

    When Corrine , herself a quadruple amputee and organiser arrived she instantly got things running with an energy only few people really possess, everyone was clearly excited and nervous in equal measures and suddenly I realised that knowing how to climb, tie in and belay was useful and a set of skills I was actually able to pass on.

    I was buddied with Connor, an amazing little boy who was born without a thigh bone and as a result his ankle was where  you or I would have a knee. To allow for a prosthetic to make life easier in the long run he had had his foot amputated and the prosthetic fitted just 1 month ago. Such a small boy and already faced more than most of us will every thankfully have to.

    His dad Neil was with him as was his gran, and my wife Sam was waiting to be assigned her buddy so was around us taking pics and encouraging him as I showed him how the rope worked, how to tie in and explained it didn’t matter how high he went or what hold he used he was just here to have fun.

    I was so incredibly proud  to see how much he looked up to me to impart all this wisdom and  how he listened to every word as I guided hi in this strange colourful place.

    By the end of the day he was climbing away, asking to go higher, chalking up (Magic climbing dust) , clapping like a pro and pulling up higher every time. I coached his dad to be able to belay and now they a can share that together. He was an a amazing trouper, balancing on the leg which had so recently lots its foot.

    I think I had a more fun day than Connor and the confident ease with which he had me lifting him and carrying him to get up and down stairs, giving me high 5 ‘s when he made a higher climb and the unquestionable trust he put in me has made an everlasting mark on me.

    Climb when you’re ready Connor.

     

     

  • Where will the road take us?

    Where will the road take us?

    It’s something we can never know. Even knowing the route doesn’t mean knowing the journey, or more importantly the destination.

    A sunny September day, after a lovely night camping saw us on the Aonach Eagach ridge. We’d been thinking about it for a while and set out with nervous excitement knowing it has a reputation for narrow, airy exposure and some of the best scrambling in the UK.

    We set off,  we enjoyed the views across Glencoe, we relished the scrambling and the tricky down-climbing and narrow winding ridge path high above the “Glen of Weeping”. As we passed people we said hello and as they passed us, in particular one swiftly moving lady in her 50’s, we moved aside and traded the usual hill greetings.

    Our path meandered, left and right and of course down and up. We thought we knew where we were headed. We weren’t to know.

    A slip and a fall.

    An instant of a decision and the destination changed forever. “Someone’s fallen” was the call. We arrived. We saw the prone figure lying below the pinnacles . It was the lady that had passed us.

    I called Mountain Rescue. They arrived. They did what they do best. This time it was a recovery not a rescue. It was very quick they said.

    Instant.

    Sam watched it all  for a long time while I coordinated via my phone, talked through details. checked grid references, agreed to meet the police at the end of the route. Sam watched and I didn’t.  Even as she roped up and  led a group of shaken walkers over the now more menacing pinnacles. She watched and that image made a mark. Became a companion. And joins her on every route now. A sad, unwelcome companion.

    A decision to go around the pinnacles, not over. One decision.

    The journey changed forever.

     

     

     

  • Man up

    Man up

    Keep going.
    Its not hard , come on!
    You should be able to run up this.
    Stop being pathetic its just a hill!

    This is what I hear when I’m struggling on a climb or a hill or even in the gym. It’s not my voice. It’s my dad’s.

    Man up.

    As its father’s day I decided to post a short piece about my dad – Derek – who passed away very suddenly a few short  years ago.

    To say it all boils down to these things I hear him say is of course totally inadequate, and ludicrous if you knew the man we all loved who was in equal parts the soul of the party and old school gentleman.

    When I say I hear these words its not with derision, but a rueful smile he will always be remembered for.

    Like my grandfather before him he worked extremely hard, he expected the same of others and he entrusted the responsibility of the household to me as a young boy without siblings when heading off to work away from home.

    I like to think I have adopted his gentlemanly expectations. I have manners, I work hard , I respect others . And now that I’ve found the mountains I’m happy to know I’m making him proud in my physical achievements.

    On our summer holidays we would head north and spend time in the highlands and only looking back now do I realise how much he loved getting outdoors i was privileged in the true sense to experience it with him.

    He’s with me on my mountains now and I raise a glass of Speyside whisky tonight to him.

    Man up.

  • Gear vs Fear

    Gear vs Fear

    “This new micro cam will fit those small cracks on that route I was scared on, so I’ll be super confident next time.”

    This is me.

    These new quick draws are super light so I’ll be much quicker of that big winter  route .

    This is me.

    These new boots will motivate me to go higher and further for longer .

    This is me.

    How about climb well and I deserve a new cam. Actually do a big Alpine route and then see
    the value in fancy light draws. Summit 4 munro’s  in one day then think about whether I need new boots.

    Gear doesn’t make you climb well. Put your cash in your pocket or use it to travel and eat well at the crag.

    From now on this is me.

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