Date

Mountain/Area

Country

Activity

Details

Mar ‘11

Southern Highlands,

Glen Shiel hills &

the Mamores

Scotland, UK

Mountaineering

Early March is always a good time to visit Scotland with the lighter nights and good snow conditions so I made a visit to the fabulous Glen Shiel hills, followed by a long weekend to the Mamores <see gallery>.

A total of 10 Munros climbed on some wonderful ridges <more>.

Dec ‘10

Southern Highlands, Arrochar Alps & Crianlarich

UK

Mountaineering

The cold, snowy start to the Winter season was a good opportunity to head back up to Scotland early. Although often cloudy, the wind was light and the snow deep & abundant making for good conditions <see gallery>. Six Munros bagged in the areas around the Arrochar Alps & Crianlairch hills <more>

Apr - Nov ‘10

Peak District, S.Yorkshire, Cornwall, Wye Valley, Pembroke and N.Wales

UK

Rock Climbing

It’s been a busy rock climbing year in the UK, especially for trad with four visits to Stanage in the Peak District, and first time climbing in Cornwall and N.Wales. Importantly I climbed my first E1’s which was a pleasing milestone to reach this year. Now time to sharpen the crampons and ice axe.....

Oct ‘10

Kalymnos

Greece

Rock Climbing

Having heard a lot about Kalymnos and the fantastic rock I had to take a trip out myself to see what all the fuss was about.....I wasn’t disappointed!
Loads of routes, a lot of variety on good limestone, perfect weather, good food and friendly people <see gallery>

Apr ‘10

Southern Highlands,

Glencoe

Scotland

Mountaineering

I couldn’t resist another trip up to Scotland before the end of the Winter season. This time a re-visit to the beautiful area of Glencoe <see gallery> where some excellent snow conditions still persisted <more>.

Mar ‘10

Southern Highlands,

Cairngorms

Scotland

Mountaineering

It has been one of best Winters in Scotland for many years so I relished a trip back to the Cairngorms. The weather was amazing with a high pressure sitting over the area for the whole time! <more>. Another four munros were bagged during the trip....<see gallery>

Dec ‘09

El Chorro

Spain

Rock Climbing

Desperate to get away fromthe British rain, a short trip back to El Chorro was on the cards to beat away the winter blues. Some great climbing again in this vast, quiet area with temperatures around 19 degrees perfect for December! <see gallery>

Sep ‘09

Chamonix

France

Rock Climbing

Training in the French Alps surrounding Chamonix for an ascent of the Matterhorn. Our preparation including scramling in Brevant & climbing in Vallorcine...<more>

Zermatt

Matterhorn (4,478m)

Switzerland

Mountaineering

An ascent of the Matterhorn via the NE Hornli ridge, one of the classic climbs of mountaineering....<more>

Jul ‘09

Brenta Dolomites

Presanella (3,558m)

Italy

Mountaineering

Alpine Mountaineering in the Brenta Dolomites climbing the peak of the Presanella <watch video>.

This peak above 3,500 m is the highest in the Adamello range of mountains....<more>

<see gallery>

Brenta & Sella

Ronda Dolomites

Italy

Rock

Climbing

Rock climbing around the Arco region of the Brenta Dolomites as well as the Sella Ronda Dolomite range, taking in the famous Trenker route....<more>.

Single & Multi-pitch climbing on the Parete Zebrata around Lake Garda....<see gallery>

May ‘09

El Chorro

Spain

Rock

Climbing

Single & Multi-pitch climbing in May in El Chorro gorge....<more>.

Combined with slab climbing at Turon & the quiet rock face at Abdelajis this was another enjoyable long climbing weekend....<see gallery>

Apr ‘09

Northern Highlands

Scotland

Hiking

Munro bagging in the Northern Highlands around Ullapool reaching the peaks of Conival, Ben More Assynt, Sgurr Breac & A’Chailleach....<more>.

Although the weather was very windy the Scottish hills never fail to disappoint....<see gallery>

Nov ‘08

El Chorro

Spain

Rock

Climbing

Wonderful climbing in November in the spectacular El Chorro gorge....<more>.

The spectacular views of the gorge and the amazing winter weather made for a fantastic trip...<see gallery>

Jun ‘08

Brenta Dolomites Adamello (3,539m)

Italy

Mountaineering

A trip to the Adamello mountain range to climb the Adamello peak in the Brenta range <watch video>.

A trip to the Dolomite region around Arco with single pitch rock climbing, via ferrata & a multi-pitch climb on the impressive ‘Castelleto Inferiore’.

<more>. Visit the <gallery>

Jun ‘08

Brenta Dolomites

Italy

Rock

Climbing

Mar ‘08

Northern Highlands

Cuillins,Isle of Skye

Scotland

Mountaineering

The black Cuillins on the Isle of Skye are also known as the ‘British Alps’ <watch video> due to their precipitous slopes and sharp ridges....<more>.

In winter, the snow and soft evening light provides the opportunity for amazing photos...<see gallery>

Feb ‘08

French Alps,

Chamonix

France

Ice

Climbing

Ice climbing in Cremerie, Chamonix & the Cogne valley in Italy....<more>.

Climbs included the spectacular ‘patri gauche’ and an iced waterfall over an avalanche tunnel....see <chamonix gallery> & <italy gallery>

Gran Paradiso,

Cogne

Italy

Ice

Climbing

May ‘07

Mallorca

Spain

Rock

Climbing

Climbing amongst the limestone crags on the beautiful island of Mallorca....<more>, on faces such as Sa Gubia & Valldemossa <watch video>.

All the climbs were set within stunning scenery in varied locations around the island <see gallery>.

Apr ‘07

Southern Highlands,

Cairngorms,

Ben Macdui (1,309m)

Scotland

Mountaineering

Winter mountaineering in the Cairngorms bagging some Scottish munros including peaks in the Lochnagar range <more> in addition to Ben Macdui <watch video> the highest peak in the area....<more>.

Dec ‘06

Sierra Nevada,

Mulhacen (3,482m)

Spain

Mountaineering

A climb to the highest mountain on the Iberian peninsula, the Mulhacen at just under 3,500m on Boxing day <watch video>.

A beautiful sunny, yet cold day set among spectacular scenery in Andalucia....<more>.

Apr ‘06

Everest Region,

Kala Pattar (5,545m)

Nepal

Hiking

A three week trip to the Himalayas in Nepal....<more> Starting at Kathmandu, flying to Lukla and hiking along the famous Khumbu trail, this amazing trip culminated in the spectacularly close views of Mount Everest from Kala Pattar <see gallery>.

Mar ‘06

Southern Highlands,

Tyndrum & Mamlorn hills

Scotland

Hiking

A short weekend away in the Tyndrum & Mamlorn hills in the Southern Highlands of Scotland to climb the munros, Ben Lui & Ben Challum....<more>.

Crisp, blustery & at times very cold <see gallery>

Sep ‘03

Lake District,

Old Man of Coniston

(803m)

England

Hiking

A good days hiking on a warm autumnal day. The Old Man of Coniston is one of the great mountains to hike in the Lake District. The return trip took around 6 hours <see gallery>.

Dec ‘02

Sierra de las Nieves,

Torrecilla (1,918m)

Spain

Hiking

Situated in the Sierra de las Nieves within the region of Andalucia, Torrecilla is the highest peak at just under 2,000m high. An enjoyable, peaceful easy hike trees until the steeper summit stretch, enjoy the superb views of Ronda & beyond.

Nov ‘02

Lake District,

Scafell Pike

(978m)

England

Hiking

A second attempt (this time successful) at reaching England’s highest point.

This area is beautiful yet rugged and often affected by wet weather so be prepared. I took the route from Seathwaite taking just over 6 hours.

Sep ‘02

Swiss Alps,

Breithorn (4,164m)

Switzerland

Mountaineering

Hiking around the Zermatt region of Switzerland to Schatxplatte & the Hornli hut at the foot of the Matterhorn....<more>.

Glacial crossing to the Monte Rosa hut & summitting on the 4,000m+ Breithorn <see gallery>

Jul ‘01

French Alps

Mont Blanc (4,807m)

France

Mountaineering

A week mountaineering course based in Chamonix. Included practice on the Mer de Glace, climbing the Cosmiques ridge arete and finally, summitting the peak of Mont Blanc....<more>.

<see gallery>

May ‘01

Southern Highlands

Ben Nevis (1,344m)

Scotland

Mountaineering

Following a route up the Nevis valley, climbing up to Carn Mor Dearg and then continuing on the ridge up to the Ben Nevis summit. Even in May, the summit can be covered in Snow. This is a more interesting and less followed route than the normal tourist path.

Dec ‘00

Lake District,

Helvellyn (950m)

England

Hiking

One of the finest ridge walks in England, Helvellyn at 950m involves a traverse across the famous Striding Edge. Climbed on snow covered ground on Boxing day, the weather was bright & clear <see gallery>.

Jun ‘00

Snowdonia

(1,085m)

Wales

Hiking

A climb of Wales’ highest peak along the narrow ridge of Crib Goch. Although spoilt by the train the carries people to the top, an ascent of this mountain via the narrow ridge & descent via Y Lliwed forms a cirular path that avoids most of the crowds <see gallery>

Jul ‘99

Lake District,

Skiddaw (931m)

England

Hiking

One of the easier higher mountains in the Lake District National Park to climb, yet still it is one of the most enjoyable.

Skiddaw has a wonderful long north-south ridge.

Jun ‘99

Tryfan & Glyder Fawr

(999m)

Wales

Hiking

The scramble up to Tryfan is one of my favourite climbs and although the remainder of the circular route taking in Glyder Fawr is not difficult or exciting it is worth doing just the same <see gallery>

Apr ‘99

High Peak

(636m)

England

Hiking

No details or photos.

Mar ‘99

Southern Highlands,

Ben Nevis range (1,344m)

Scotland

Mountaineering

A week winter mountaineering course based around Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland.

A wonderful week learning the art of ice axe arrest, walking in crampons, mountain weather & digging snow holes in addition to baggin several munros.