http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/ en-us Copyright 2010 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:06:34 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Greg Boswell was busy leading an unclimbed line next to the Smirk. His second didn't fancy the potential swing from the icicle so I volunteered to get on it. 40m of steep mixed later and I suprised Greg by appearing at the belay. I led off for a short 2nd pitch finishing near the Smirk. We thought the route about VI 7 and called it 'The Grin'. I jogged back round to the base of the Smirk where Tamsin had led the 1st pitch (with Helena belaying). I tied on and managed to finish the day climbing this route also. A good day out. The Climbing Wall Award is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people take interest in climbing inside. The syllabus is wide ranging with a considerable portion set aside for the coaching of movement skills. I worked with Consett YMCA staff and we visited Newcastle and Sunderland Climbing Walls. It's great to see an organisation invest in it's staff who were all enthused to 'get out and climb'! ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/03/scottish_winter_climbing_cwa_t.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/03/scottish_winter_climbing_cwa_t.html Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:06:34 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/03/norway_ice_climbing_2.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/03/norway_ice_climbing_2.html Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:46:07 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/02/norway_ice_climbing_1.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/02/norway_ice_climbing_1.html Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:09:59 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/02/norway_ice_climbing.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/02/norway_ice_climbing.html Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:57:27 +0000 The Vallee Blanche is perhaps the world's most famous off piste run - and for good reason. Around 2800m of descent over 17km amongst an unrivalled vista makes this a 'must' for many skiers. There are a number of variations to the Vallee Blanche - the Voie Normale being the trade route of modest difficulty. There are probably a dozen variants again but the Grand and Petit Envers are the most skied. On Sunday I skied with Stu Macdonald and clients. In the morning we got one of the earlier telepheriques and were negotiating the Arete of the Aiguille du Midi in good time. We skied the Petit Envers du Plan variation all the way back to the valley for a break for lunch. In the afternoon we decided to do it all again! This time we headed for the 'Vraie' variation (or the 'Real Vallee Blanche'). Those who have seen this glacier in summer treat it with respect - it has some huge crevassess and some seasons it is not skied at all. As Stu and I had looked at it in the morning we thought we saw a way through. We approached the drop off roped up and fairly gingerly negotiated the crevassed area before having the entire bowl of powder to ourselves - a rare thing in Chamonix. Many whoops later we arrived back in the Valley feeling smug but tired.]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/02/chamonix_off_piste_-_vallee_bl.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/02/chamonix_off_piste_-_vallee_bl.html Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:19:34 +0000 Hotel La Barme where we enjoyed the sauna, jacuzzi and incredible food there. During the week we mixed it up and did a variety of instruction with both Louise and John on the 'sharp end' as well as climbing a whole load of routes from WI3 to WI5. We managed to climb every day (we were getting a bit tired by day 6) and even went for an afternoon's ski in Valnotey on an 'easier' day. For me, Italy has been fantastic to work in. The culture here is laid back and focussed on the finer things in life - without the razzamataz or cost of Chamonix. One of the highlights for us was the discovery of a small cafe in Cogne which served us our daily post climb hot chocolate and cake - for two and a half euros. I'm already looking forward to next year in Cogne! ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/02/cogne_ice_climbing_3.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/02/cogne_ice_climbing_3.html cogne ice climbing Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:27:17 +0000 Hotel La Barme We climbed loads during the week including the classics: Cascade de Lillaz, Flash Estivo, Patri Left and Right Hand and Fiumana di Money. In Chamonix we climbed Moby Dick, Cremerie and the gem 'Micro Goulotte' because we were missing the Scottish experience. I've also managed to get out with Ali, Siobhan and Dirty Rich. We skied the Col de Floria in the Aiguille Rouges before touring down the Berade valley in excellent powder. ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/cogne_ice_climbing_2.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/cogne_ice_climbing_2.html Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:53:05 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/cogne_ice_climbing_1.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/cogne_ice_climbing_1.html Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:29:07 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/mlta_winter_workshop.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/mlta_winter_workshop.html Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:37:25 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/cwa_training_-_newcastle.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/cwa_training_-_newcastle.html CWA training Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:31:49 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/scottish_winter_climbing_6.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2010/01/scottish_winter_climbing_6.html Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:12:21 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2009/12/scottish_winter_climbing_5.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2009/12/scottish_winter_climbing_5.html Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:37:41 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2009/12/scottish_winter_climbing_lochn.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2009/12/scottish_winter_climbing_lochn.html Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:13:15 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2009/12/scottish_winter_climbing_4.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2009/12/scottish_winter_climbing_4.html Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:21:49 +0000 ]]> http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2009/12/skiing_cpd_xmas_parties.html http://www.ictgateshead.org/tim/2009/12/skiing_cpd_xmas_parties.html Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:30:02 +0000