Joshua Tree

After some extensive research (climbing every day for the past 10 days) I have come to the conclusion that this product helps keep you climbing, along with other management options. During my first few days climbing I went out to Stoney Middleton with Sam, Tom and Charlie as it was wet every where else. limestone though is not known for its wearing properties, especially in a landscape dominated by grit stone. Pull after pull on small crimps, pulling your weight onto the same point does split the skin though, this is what i had to deal with. Still it was worth it, I managed to repeat lucians undercut and toms roof again and add zippies side pull to my tick list and dropped the last move on power allowance (photos to follow when tom gets his act together).

After this the weather improved and we headed back to gritstone, climbing at Burbage south, Gardoms, The Roaches, Ramshaw and Gib tor. Along with a bit of sensible skin management I managed to keep climbing. with culminated in a great day at Gibb Tor followed by Gardoms the next day. Rather than try to describe it I'll let the pictures do the talking, thanks to everyone who had the camera and took the photos.






Top Photo: Getting ready to screw the pooch on The Fin Sit Start, this will be done tomorrow.
Middle Right: Rik Gurning Middle Left: Danny and his mighty span on Stall arete
Bottom Right Do the shoe cleaning dance Bottom Left: Me on Stall arete

Note as of today (3rd feb) the fin sit start has been done.

Valentines Gift Ideas

As the 14th Feb looms, some of us will be thinking about what we could get for our someone special.  If you don't think chocolates, flowers and all the usual gifts are what you are looking for this year, how about something that links to your love for the outdoors?

We've put our heads together to come up with some great gift ideas and have even more in the pipeline. Visit the Valentine Gift Ideas tab on our website for a full listing.

Hope you have a good one!

When the North Wind Blows

A huge thank you to Ian Parnell for a fantastic lecture, and to everyone who came and made it such a good night.

From El Cap in Yosemite to the Himalayas, to the North Face of the Eiger and beyond, we were on the edge of our seats and treated to a some stunning photographies and very funny stories.

The charity raffle raised over £130 for Mountain Rescue - thank you to everyone that entered and Ian for adding some Arc'Teryx goodies and one of his own prints to the prizes.

To hear about more lectures, workshops and other evernts, sign up for our newsletter (either instore or on our website homepage), or visit our Facebook page. We will also be posting on our blog and on Twitter so the choice is yours...

Swimming up Ben Nevis

An early morning on a Sunday, there could only be a few reasons for that, mostly climbing, more precisely winter climbing. The night before had been a mini celebration for Colin's 30th birthday, along with the celebration came a promise for Colin to lead his first winter route climb the and he decided on Castle Gully on The Ben the next day (his actual birthday). Sam and myself had both agreed to tag along for the ride and to make sure Colin didn't get himself into too much trouble.

We reached the bottom of the route at around 10, stomping up the easy 40/50 degree slope digging some avalanche pits and testing the layers as there had been a fair amount of snow recently, gearing/wrapping up at the bottom and settling in for the belay stints. The gully is split into two main parts by a large chock stone just over half way, the climbing up to there was very strait forward, just a little deep in snow. As we reached the chock stone it became apparent the pitch wasn't properly formed with no more than an inch at most of ice on the side rock which we had to climb. Naturally though it was Colins lead and both me and Sam agreed he should at least try it, and with a deep breath and a few thin moves Colin soon showed that all his up training had come into use as he scrabbled up the last 3 meters and over the lip only to dig a bucket seat a JCB operator would be proud of.

The gully above the chock stone soon got deeper, and climbing up was very much like running on a tread mill which meant a unique technique was adapted. Gaining inspiration from the performance earlier we began to dry tool our way up the side of the gully to make better time to reach the top to find a very small cornice as night began to take hold. Walking down with torches on seemed to be the norm from the past few days.

A very happy birthday Colin and a very entertaining day, business as usual back in the peak now so more fun to follow...

Ian Parnell Lecture - It's a Sell Out!!

Our Ian Parnell Lecture is on tonight and all tickets have been sold! For those of you that have been lucky enough to get a ticket - see you there.

We'll keep you posted of any further lectures and events - watch this space.

Ian Parnell Lecture is Tomorrow!

Tickets have been flying out of the door for Ian Parnell's lecture tomorrow night - When the North Wind Blows.

It should be awesome. If you still need to get yourself a ticket, check it out online or come into store.

Doors and bar opens 7pm. Charity raffle at the end in aid of Mountain Rescue.

Winter Sale Now On!!

Our Winter Sale has started. All clothing has been reduced with up to 50% off!