I had somewhat of an epiphany at 2120m in the Alps. It took me maybe 30 minutes to get from our lovely heated chalet at 1100m with all the mod cons. Stood on the top of Téte des saix at 2120m I’m at the highest point on land i’ve ever been on our planet. I should be feeling complete elation looking at the amazing vista which stood before me but i just didn’t. Surrounded by the alps, looking at peaks which barley drop below 3000m, why don’t I have the same feeling as crawling out of my tent in the Langdales? Why do the peaks of Scafell pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw at less than 1000m hold so much power? People! Thats what it is people and the struggle. I look around me and the vista is obscured by people of all ages who have all expended very little effort to get here. Many of which probably don’t even notice where they are. “Ooh there’s a lovely restaurant where i can eat my steak!”

Don’t get me wrong, the thrill of snowboarding from this height is exhilarating (especially in a white out where you can’t see the 200ft drop to one side ) . But i just wish people could learn to appreciate our planet rather just what you can get from it. Sometimes you don’t just want unrestricted views of Mont Blanc, maybe you just want to sometimes be on top of Mont Blanc looking back.

Anyway i digress…

Spent most of the day around Betws-y-coed outdoor shops and the Llanberis pass which is home to some of the best bouldering in the world. Set off about 6pm up the Llanberis path up Snowdon. Greeted by many a weary tourist looking to climb the highest mountain in wales with jeans, trainers and a can of Coke. Many of which helpfully told me I was going the wrong way for this time of night. Thanks! It took about three and a half hours to walk to my pitch which was just under Clogwyn Du’r Arddu (or cloggy to most people), on the shores of Llyn du’r Arddu which is a small lake which the copper miners used to clean their copper ore (which makes it a very spooky green).

All was going well when i pitched up at 10pm. Got in my tent, brewed up and made some pasta in my trusty Jetboil, took a few pics and got settled down for the night. This is where it gets interesting… at about 2:30am i woke to find my tent in my face. The wind had changed direction overnight and where once my tent was nessled behind a large boulder, end on to the wind, it was now getting everything side on. The guy gave and the middle pole of my Hilleberg snapped and went through the tent fabric. This does not make for a good nights sleep! I made the call and packed up. Everything stuffed in my sac and ready for a long walk down at 3am! It took about one and a half hours to walk out in complete blackness, with only the distant sight of MRT people scouring a neighboring hill for a lost traveller. I’m certain i saw a ufo on the top of Snowdon but it was probably nothing

I did plan to take many pics from the top in the morning. This never happened and i’ll i managed to get is a picture of my pasta in the Jetboil! I might share that with you one day!

I mean the most important thing really is how good it looks in blue.

I’ve spent many an evening at the Leeds climbing wall and the odd day out at the crag. Well I thought it about time to invest a little more in the hobby i love. Here are the begininings of my climbing rack.

I’ve heard pros and cons about the use of cordelettes but at the price they are compared to the cost of static ropes and the skill involved in equalising at the top so I thought what the heck.

With regards to passive protection there seems to be many and varied opinion out there on what’s the best and worst and good for this & that. I’m new to all this so i really don’t see much point in trying to second guess what’s good or bad. It’s all going to work to an extent and when i’m more experienced i can start making a call on my preferences.

For now I’ve gone with a 3-9 set of rockcentric hexes

Apparently these are the lightest on the market. Anything which means I have less to carry has to be a bonus surely?