FHM photo shoot

Was approached last week to be part of an adventure athletes article which will be in January's issue of FHM.

I headed to Soho to FHMs head office and had an interview with freelance writer Mark Bailey. Great interview which was followed by a photo shoot. I got dressed up in full summit gear and had a full on shoot, axes out, crampons on and even got the tent out. There should be a warning that comes with the down suit, do not wear inside, especially under those studio lights, I started to boil!! I would just like to add that smells were coming out of the down suit I thought I'd left in the himalaya

Got some great shots with arctic swimmer Dan Martin and polar explorer Henry Cookson.

A great afternoon and a big thank you to all involved. Looking forward to see January's issue out first week of December. Who would of thought I would be in FHM.

In search of something new

In search of something new Tommy and I headed down to a area called Blackmore Fort. We made our way right down to the waterfront and went in search of new boulders that have never been climbed before.

We stumbled across a boulder quite early that looked good. We set up camp got the chalk out got the shoes on and started marking possible hand holds. Then opened the mat trying to get as much protection as possible. The landing in this area was ridiculous. Definite brake your ankle territory. We even moved a few rocks around trying to level out the drop zone.

At the start we could barely get of the floor, then move by move we strung it together. Tommy got the first assent and called the route "First Blood" as attempting this route made him draw blood!! brutal bouldering.

We then had a scramble around and decided to take a walk in search of something inspiring. Without much luck I must add.

We where scrambling over some pretty sketchy ground and found nothing that caught our eye. We made the decision to move up onto the headland and climb some problems from the book. I managed 7 routes in total in the range of V0 to V2. Nice climbing tho.

It was a great day out and Tommy well done on the first assent. My arms are to short for the 3rd move.
It's a problem being short!!!

On route to Portland I was inspired by a mask, check it out!!!

My new mask...... Awesome

Tommy's new climbing partner

Today's routes

A few more of today's problems

Tommy Harris (My Camera Man)

A few more pictures from the weekend

Reflections on Making a Dream a Reality

A spot of bolt clipping

Checking the weather all week and only seeing the rain icon on the iPhone was kinda getting to me, another week not getting out on the natural rock, very frustrating.On Saturday morning I check, hoping for some good news and the weather has turned for the better. I confirmed with Tommy and we agree bolt clipping at Winspit, Swanage is on.

We headed straight to the crag and set up camp underneath two nice 5a routes. One called "plaice a bolt" and the other "fishy business", perfect for getting back into leading. I thought they were really nice routes that challenged me, I felt I was putting good sequences together and climbing well, the conditions were perfect too.

Now warm, Tommy encouraged me to attempt an on-sight of a 6c "silver bream machine", a big jump in grade, but I was feeling rather psyched and confident. I got 3 1/4's of a way through the route to a point which from the ground looked like a let off for a bit of rest, but Nope! After this section it was the crux and I was pumped and could not pull off a crimp to the finish of this route. To me the top section looked blank, I tried but to no avail, I was off. Tommy managed to get up it, finding a little under cup that I missed. Next time it's mine.

We then went and played on another 6c "gorilla tactics", by this time I was out of gas. Tommy had a good go at it screaming and shouting his way to the top, managing to finish the route, next time mate without a rest!!!!
Less bouldering and more bolt clipping is the plan now, as my endurance on longish routes needs to improve. I feel I'm climbing well and positioning myself a lot better on the wall. It's just a case of climbing more and more and building confidence and endurance.

A nice day out with some nice routes done, nice weather and good company.
Just a mention all photos were taken by Tommy's daughter Alisha Harris, awesome work.
Back in Guildford my fiance Natalie was on a climbing course at Craggy Island. Natalie seems to love climbing which is a result, maybe we can spend our honeymoon climbing the Matterhorn or Eiger!!!
It will be nice to share this sport that I have become so fond of with her.
A new climbing partner and one that's a lot better looking than my present one!!! (that's you Tommy)

Simulated image of landing into Lukla Airport, Nepal

I found this and thought it was well worth sharing. The approach into Lukla Airport to the entrance of the khumbu and the start of the trek to Everest base camp.