Blog Archives

21/05/2020

Mental Strength

Testing yourself is not easy and I guess that’s why many of us do it. Enjoy the challenge of pushing yourself physically and mentally but do not take it lightly. Climbing a route that has been a true mental battle is a journey deep into our psyche. It allows you to see who you really are and to learn about yourself in a way many will never know. - Kev Shields

27/04/2020

Outdoor Adventure

For me, to genuinely appreciate the attraction and meaning of adventure, we should aspire to look beyond the physical aspect of adventuring and look toward the psychological benefit that flows much deeper. - Sean Comiskey

24/02/2020

Mountaineering Boots | Buying Guide

If there was a single piece of kit that can make or break your day in the mountains it is the boots on your feet. When deciding how to buy the correct mountaineering boots you must first consider the suitability of the boot to the specific ‘type’ of mountaineering. For example, an Alpine mountaineering boot will have very different features to a High-altitude mountaineering boot. Boots are made in different fabrics, itemised into different ratings and come in ‘single or ‘double’ configuration. Depending on aspiration and the type of ground you expect to cover in your boots will depend on the characteristics you will look for when buying a pair of mountaineering boots.

07/01/2020

How to Choose an Ice Axe | Buying Guide

There are many ice axes on the market and sometimes it is difficult to know which ice axe to buy. In this ice axe buying guide, I aim to clarify their uses and shed light on how to choose an ice axe. The use and benefits of each type of ice axe are detailed including why they are different shapes and sizes and why buying the correct model is important.

09/12/2019

Crampon Guide | How to Choose

Crampons are a metal platform with varying amounts of spikes on the bottom that allow us to move more easily over snow and ice. They attach to the bottom of a winter boot via bails, baskets and straps and come in three ratings: C1, C2 and C3. This crampon guide will help you make the choice of which crampon to buy but fist you must ask yourself a couple of questions;

14/12/2018

How to navigate off Ben Nevis Summit

The number of people summiting Ben Nevis each year is in the tens of thousands. With the increase in tourism and participation in outdoor sports, the numbers attempting to reach its summit are only set to increase. In this blog, I have tried to explain what I believe to be some of the defining factors for navigating safely off the summit of Ben Nevis.

08/11/2018

What to pack for Scottish Winter Climbing

There is a unique winter climbing scene in Scotland where budding mountaineers attempt to scale classic and modern routes up the side of mountains in any conditions the weather throws at them. It takes a certain type of person; someone willing to get up in freezing conditions, often in the dead of the night to literally torture themselves in horrendous weather just to climb a mountain. OK, it isn’t always so bad, we are occasionally blessed with bright blue skies and crisp fluffy snow to play in – a rarity admittedly!