Little Tryfan – the Severe climber

Bouldering in Fontainebleau with a Toddler

The woods around Fontainebleau have a reputation as one of the best places in the world to boulder. Thousands of sandstone boulders, with tens of thousands of boulder problems, scattered about a pretty forest that covers some 300 square kilometres. Fontainebleau also has a reputation as being a great place to take kids. That’s a … Read more Bouldering in Fontainebleau with a Toddler

Climbing a Cathedral and Ringing the Bell on the Klettersteig Pfeilspitzwand

A little over half way up the Klettersteig Pfeilspitzwand there is a brass bell hanging from the rock. If you want to ring the bell, then you need to take a detour that traverses the face of the buttress above a sheer drop. There’s a slightly tricky step to negotiate, before you stand on a … Read more Climbing a Cathedral and Ringing the Bell on the Klettersteig Pfeilspitzwand

A Little Bit of the Eiger – the Rotstock Via Ferrata

“All the Grindelwald via ferrata are closed.” The woman at the tourist information office said these words in a firm, brisk tone that indicated that she didn’t realise that I would find them disappointing. I knew that there was a risk that the long, cold winter might mean that some mountain routes would still be … Read more A Little Bit of the Eiger – the Rotstock Via Ferrata

My Climbing 2015 in Pictures

My Climbing 2015 in Pictures

December 31, 2015August 22, 2016the Severe climber

Alice coaching me on how to climb using the open hand technique.

Alice coaching me on how to climb using the open hand technique.

Me starting a problem on Badger Rock.

Me starting a problem on Badger Rock.

Longsleddale.

Longsleddale.

Autumn colours on the fell on Goat Crag in the Lake District.

Autumn colours on the fell on Goat Crag in the Lake District.

Me climbing back along the traverse that leads to the bell on the Klettersteig Pfeilspitzwand.

Me climbing back along the traverse that leads to the bell on the Klettersteig Pfeilspitzwand.

Me climbing a ladder of stemples on the Klettersteig Knorren.

Me climbing a ladder of stemples on the Klettersteig Knorren.

Valerie and me on the summit of the Knorren.

Valerie and me on the summit of the Knorren.

The Zillertal seen from the descent from the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

The Zillertal seen from the descent from the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Me climbing the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Me climbing the Klettersteig Huterlaner.

Me climbing Crack 1 on Tryfan Bach.

Me climbing Crack 1 on Tryfan Bach.

Me climbing JT (V0- 4b) at Robin Hood's Stride.

Me climbing JT (V0- 4b) at Robin Hood’s Stride.

Me climbing Pink Arete (V0- 4b) at Cratcliffe.

Me climbing Pink Arete (V0- 4b) at Cratcliffe.

Climbing in the rain at Stanage.

Climbing in the rain at Stanage.

Still getting rained on.

Still getting rained on.

The summit of Mam Tor.

The summit of Mam Tor.

Climbing at Buthiers Piscine, Fontainebleau.

Climbing at Buthiers Piscine, Fontainebleau.

Me climbing problem number 6 on the orange circuit at Buthiers Piscine.

Me climbing problem number 6 on the orange circuit at Buthiers Piscine.

Me climbing problem yellow 28 at Buthiers Piscine.

Me climbing problem yellow 28 at Buthiers Piscine.

Me climbing boulder problem 26 on the yellow circuit at Rocher des Potets.

Me climbing boulder problem 26 on the yellow circuit at Rocher des Potets.

This is how I found my knee when I unwrapped the bandages 48 hours after the operation.

This is how I found my knee when I unwrapped the bandages 48 hours after the operation.

A Trad Day

A Trad Day

August 1, 2015August 22, 2016the Severe climber

I finally got a chance last weekend to do my first trad leading since my injury and surgery. After getting frustratingly rained off Stanage a few weeks ago, it was great climb in sunshine on Tryfan Bach. A day of climbing on Tryfan Bach’s beautiful slab, its with well-protected, low-grade climbs, was just what I needed to get reacquainted with leading trad and to clear my head.

Me climbing Little Tryfan Arete on Tryfan Bach.

Me climbing Little Tryfan Arete on Tryfan Bach.

Gwern Gof Uchaf campsite and the Ogwen Valley seen from Tryfan Bach.

Gwern Gof Uchaf campsite and the Ogwen Valley seen from Tryfan Bach.

Me climbing Crack 1 on Tryfan Bach.

Me climbing Crack 1 on Tryfan Bach.

Tryfan Bach.

Tryfan Bach.

Me on Tryfan Bach.

Me on Tryfan Bach.

Tryfan Bach.

Tryfan Bach.

Tryfan Bach (AKA Little Tryfan) and Tryfan (on the right).

Tryfan Bach (AKA Little Tryfan) and Tryfan (on the right).