Ueli Steck’s ridiculous mountaineering career
If you read the title of this post and think I’m about to slag off the Swiss climbing superstar, famous for his speed ascents in the Alps and Himalayas, then you should know upfront that I’ll be doing...
View ArticleChillaxing on Cholatse: a return to Nepal
Last year was the first since 2005 I didn't go to Nepal, so in 2014 I'm making up for it by going twice. By the time you read this I will be heading to the Khumbu region to attempt 6440m Cholatse. It's...
View ArticleWhen is a summit not a summit?
Last week I managed to reach the summit of 6440m Cholatse in Nepal, which has a reputation for being one of the country's most challenging technical peaks. But there's a bit of a twist, and if you look...
View ArticleCholatse 11, Ama Dablam 0 (Everest arrested for streaking)
If ever I used omens as a means of determining my next holiday destination, then it's likely I would have spent this autumn sunning myself on a beach. Luckily I'm not superstitious, and my climb of...
View ArticleSouthwest ridge of Cholatse: the videos
Last week I posted a trip report about our Cholatse ascent that was so long I imagine a few of you couldn't be bothered to read it. Luckily for those of you who prefer to watch a bit of action I also...
View ArticleCreative peak bagging is the way forward
Last year was an unusual one for me. There were few real plans, and my travels ended up evolving out of necessity and opportunity, but I kind of liked it that way and I believe a combination of loose...
View ArticleFarewell Samuli Mansikka, the fearless Finn
It's time once again to pay tribute to a friend who has sadly lost his life in the mountains. Last week Samuli Mansikka stood on the summit of Annapurna, his tenth 8000m peak, but he did not return....
View ArticleDeath of the Nepal trekking peaks?
“I feel that the full potential of these eighteen mountains has not been realised.” Jimmy Roberts, Foreword to The Trekking Peaks of Nepal by Bill O’Connor Earthquakes, fuel strikes and the usual...
View ArticleHow to verify a Manaslu summit claim
There was another big controversy on 8163m Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world, this year. It was widely reported that record numbers reached the summit during a two-day weather window on...
View ArticleA peek inside the Himalayan Database, the archives of Elizabeth Hawley
A couple of weekends ago, I did something I’ve been meaning to do for a while: install the Himalayan Database on my computer and play around with it. The Himalayan Database is a comprehensive record of...
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