It seems fitting that our 100th blog post should be about Alex featuring in the celebratory 100th of the legendary Japanese climbing magazine Rock & Snow. Alex’s photo of Toru Nakajima climbing the Millstone E8 was featured on the cover of the issue. This issue also included Alex’s account of Toru’s incredible tour of […]
‘Hard is Easy’ GriGri Videos Over the last few months I’ve had climbers on my Climbing Wall Instructor and Rock Climbing Instructor training and assessment courses mention the ‘Hard is Easy’ YouTube channel. The chatter especially mentions the Hard is Easy GriGri videos and in particular the videos on GriGri slippage and failure. Ben has […]
Winter climbing partners never move fast enough! From my perspective I have just completed a lightning fast accent on a thin runout smear of ice then undertook the cleaning of iced up cracks with poise and precision to build a structurally satisfying anchor. All this done in record breaking time. Why then, is my partner […]
Figure of Eight Knot with Follow Through In the late 80’s there was a fashion for poking and threading the tail of a Figure of Eight knot back through the body of the knot. It looked neat and myself and few other young climbers and instructors starting using this variation. Then word got around that […]
Hurrah! we are happy to announce that we now run the Climbing Wall Development Instructor (CWDI) training courses and assessments. You can book your CWDI here, or read on for more information… What is the CWDI? The CWDI is a nationally recognised qualification, administered by Mountain Training. In this course, you’ll learn to help other […]
Joe shares advice on how to choose the right nuts, cams, slings and karabiners for your first trad lead rack. First Trad Rack With the enormous range of climbing equipment being manufactured today knowing where to begin when assembling your first trad rack can seem a bewildering task. A huge amount of information is available […]
In preparation for the climbing season ahead, Hati talks us through how to clean your cams for rock climbing. Pumped out of your mind, slightly regretting your choice of warmup and acutely aware that your last runner is closer to the ground than you are, you fumble around your harness for the right piece. The […]
Having completed her RCI assessment just after lockdown no. 1, Hati shares her tips for blowing away the cobwebs and getting back into the habit of consolidation. Is this how hedgehogs feel come Spring? Do they groan with irritation at their 7am alarms and stumble round their nests in search of distractions, procrastinations, and anything […]
The excitement of the festive season has subsided, dry January is starting to wear you down and the days still feel all too short. How oh how do you make your way through the longest month of the year? Plan a rock climbing trip of course! Escape London, escape Manchester, escape your boss or escape […]
There isn’t very much to say about chalk bags. You put chalk in, tie them round your waist and go climbing. a chalk bag is a simple item of equipment. However I found myself really liking this one and have felt compelled to write a few words. Built to Send are a small, UK based […]