Mountain Athlete
Having worked in the outdoor industry for several years it takes something special to really grab my attention these days. Every once in awhile though, I encounter something truly unique and this year that was the Dolomite Veloce GTX. So what is the Veloce GTX? To label this product as an approach shoe, trail shoe …
Anyone vaguely familiar with the nuances of alpine climbing will have heard the phrase 'fast and light' so many times it's enough to make your head spin. In reality though the idea is far more than just a marketing catchphrase to sell fancy equipment, fast and light is a climbing philosophy and an intrinsic part …
Continue reading "BD Ultralights: Climb fast and light without compromise"
It’s been a few weeks now since I got back from Patagonia and I have finally managed to find some time to reflect on the experience and of course the equipment. While we unfortunately did not get the weather window we had hoped for (welcome to Patagonia!), we still managed to get out in the …
Continue reading "Review: Rab Mythic sleeping bag & Alpine bivi"
This year I finally got the chance to climb on Ben Udlaidh, one of Scotland’s best but often allusive Ice climbing destinations. It was a venue I had heard so much about over the years and it always appealed to me as steep ice has long been my favourite climbing discipline. Needless to say this …
Despite it being the busiest time of year for me at work, huge snowfalls across the Alps this winter proved too tempting to resist. Winter conditions in Scotland had also been very good in comparison with the previous few years but despite this I choose a bit of lift serviced speedriding, skiing with good friends …
Last week I returned to Chamonix with my speedwing, a lot of climbing gear and a good friend. We came looking for stable weather and big mountains so we could do a mix of alpine climbing and speedflying. The initial plan was to do some climbing which would take us to a summit suitable for …
Continue reading "Intimidation: Speedflying The North Face of the Aiguille du Midi"
Last week I returned to Scotland from the Alps, to find summer is well underway. If like me you are planning on making the most of the long days this summer and getting outside, you will need a good pair of sunglasses. For many of us, this may not be the first piece of gear …
