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Traversing Skye’s Cuillin Ridge in A Day

Traversing Skye’s Cuillin Ridge in A Day

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The iconic Black Cuillin Ridge dominates the landscape of Skye. Its traverse involves climbing and scrambling along the 12km ridge crest from one end to the other, taking in 11 Munros (and 22 peaks total) along the way. Adding to this the 7km walk-in and the 6km walk-out, the ascent totals over 4,000m. Whilst much of the traverse falls into in the grey area between walking and climbing, a full traverse also involves pitches of rock climbing to ‘severe’ grade and…

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Mont Blanc from the Lac Blanc, Aiguilles Rouges
Climbing Mont Blanc Unguided

Climbing Mont Blanc Unguided

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A colossal white dome set amongst jagged peaks, alpine faces and dramatic glaciers. At 4,810m, Mont Blanc is the highest point in Western Europe and looms over the mountain town of Chamonix. It has been on our check-list since our first foray into alpinism last year. We wanted to climb Mont Blanc independently (without a guide or group), so spent two seasons in the Alps accumulating as much experience as we could with our trusty guide, Ben. After a particularly…

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Monchsjoch - Zermatt
Why I Do What I Do

Why I Do What I Do

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It feels like I am constantly asked by friends, family and everyone I meet why I do what I do… Most people understand the draw of the mountains to some extent. The inherently human drive to want to explore and experience is a tale as old as time. Mountains are beautiful; they represent the last bastions of untouched wilderness and are a safe-space from pollution, over-population and the everyday stresses of normal life. It’s not unusual to enjoy spending time…

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Pastukhov Rocks on Mount Elbrus
On Top of Europe: Climbing Mount Elbrus in Russia

On Top of Europe: Climbing Mount Elbrus in Russia

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High altitude mountaineering in the bitter cold… or just a long slog? The truth is somewhere in-between. Sitting at 5,642m, Mount Elbrus is Europe’s highest mountain and one of the revered Seven Summits. It is a dormant volcano in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia, close to its border with Georgia. Although the route doesn’t involve much beyond walking, making it to the summit of Mount Elbrus presents a formidable challenge due to its high altitude and often extreme weather. We…

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Aoife on the summit of Gran Paradiso
Climbing Gran Paradiso in June

Climbing Gran Paradiso in June

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Standing at 4,061m, Gran Paradiso is the highest mountain entirely within Italy. It is a domineering, isolated and easily recognisable peak. Sat atop a picturesque glacier, the snowy bulk of Gran Paradiso is crowned by a tower of rock and a large white statue of the Virgin Mary. We bagged this classic 4000-er early in the mountaineering season and were rewarded with a mind-blowing sunset and peaceful solitude. The Chabod Route When climbing Gran Paradiso, there are two main route…

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Sunset at Old Harry Rocks
Exploring Swanage and Losing My Trad Climbing Virginity

Exploring Swanage and Losing My Trad Climbing Virginity

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Hanging suspended on cliffs above the crashing ocean and exploring the rugged Jurassic Coastline. The small town of Swanage has a lot to offer for adventurers and tourists alike. Swanage is a coastal town in Dorset and sits at the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast. It’s picturesque and historic coastlines have made it a popular summertime tourist destination, whilst its rock has made it famous amongst British climbers. Climbing in Swanage: Graduating from Sport to Trad We finally dipped…

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The road to Whitney Portal (High Sierras in the background)
Storming Mount Whitney

Storming Mount Whitney

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With an elevation of 4,421m (14,505ft), Mount Whitney is the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. We battled torrential rain, hail, tent destroying marmots, altitude sickness, a burst camelback and a high altitude electrical storm… But we successfully bagged this summit in characteristically chaotic and disastrous Tom-and-Aoife style.     About Mount Whitney Located in the stunning Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, the summit of Mount Whitney lies on the Sierra Crest and the Great Basin Divide. Most…

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The Mont Blanc Massif from Chamonix
My First Time Alpine Mountaineering

My First Time Alpine Mountaineering

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My love for the mountains was born in Scotland, but it matured on the snowy slopes far above Chamonix. The Alps are the ultimate draw for mountaineers. They offer sensational vistas and a wide choice of routes for climbers of all levels, but are far more accessible than the likes of the Himalaya or Patagonia. I spent three days in the Mont Blanc Massif as I was introduced to Alpine mountaineering.      What’s the Difference Between Mountaineering and Climbing?…

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View of Val Badia from Via Ferrata Pisciadu
Nightmare on Via Ferrata Pisciadù

Nightmare on Via Ferrata Pisciadù

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An impending electrical storm, unexpected steep snow and a night in an emergency shelter. We learnt some important lessons the hard way when our ascent of Via Ferrata Pisciadù went horribly wrong. This is how a ‘chilled day in the Dolomites’ turned into a 30 hour expedition.  What is a Via Ferrata? A via ferrata (known as Klettersteig in German) is a protected climbing route, found mostly within the Alps. The protection normally consists of a steel cable running along…

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Edale valley (from Kinder Scout)
Climbing Kinder Scout

Climbing Kinder Scout

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Dramatic edges, steep cloughs and peaty bog: the Peak District has an alluring beauty that makes up for the frequently awful weather! With a range of outdoor pursuits on offer, from rambling through to trad climbing, it is an ideal spot for a weekend getaway. Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District, at 636m (2,087ft). Its extensive moorland plateau offers charming walks for all abilities. Weekend Adventure After spending a month overlanding in the Australian Outback, it was…

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