Cuatro Dias
2014
I realised this evening that every day this year has been amazing. I know that we are only 4 days in but it is a hell of a good start. The big news for me is my new role working for one of the most respected outdoor distributors in the UK, the Mountain Boot Company. My remit covers many different areas including sponsered hero or brand ambasador for three of the best brands in the business Scarpa, Edelweiss and Grivel. I have also taken on the role of team captain for these brands meaning i get to work with some of the best climbers around, with the likes of Dave McCloed, Tim Emmett and the newest Scarpa and Edelweiss Athlete, the uber strong Ed Hamer. In the words of Tim, it looks like there are some spicy times ahead. My final role with MBC will be retailer support via boots demos, staff training and hopefully some interesting events. Infact the first demo of the year will be at the 4th Blokfest event on the January 19th at The Depot in Nottingham. Check out some more Boot Demo dates and venues below.
Scarpa Boot Demos
Blokfest Jan 19th Depot Nottingham
The Arch Jan 20th London
The White Spider Jan 25th London
The Castle Jan 29th London
The Crag Feb 9th Stowmarket
On new years day I headed over to Sella to check out Sam and Rich Oranges new house. They never cease to amaze me with the drive and passion for all things fun. Sams latest pass time is collecting horses, already she is on 4 and quickly catching up to my 6. We left Sam to her ponies and with Rich we headed up to the less frequented wall of Elefante. Three 60 meter routes later we left happy and looking forward to a return visit to give some of the harder Mark Edwards routes a go.
Day 2 was a visit my favourite crag on the Costa Blanca...sadly I can't say where it is but if you are in the know then you will know. I came away with my hardest os for a while, the amazing and recently rebolted 7c+ Con Licencia Para Volar.
Day 3 turned into a rest day and some van work was in order. A full day painting and insulating the bedroom area of the van was a nice and relaxed way to spend it and although single handedly carrying my generator and lifting an 8x4 out of the van was by no means light work I was pleased with the results.
Day 4 I headed out with my good friend Bill for a fun day multi pitching on the Penon D'Ifac. Mare Nostrum was only put up a couple of years ago but represents one of the best outings on the Penon. 9 pitches starting with a 7a and culminating with another rather out there 7a Mare covers some amazing ground with some really great pitches. It is really well bolted so if 7a is not your grade it probably only has an obligatory grade on 6b. Obligatory means the lowest grade you need to be able to climb to get from bolt to bolt. This was my 4th route on the Penon and all have been great fun, on my way back down I wondered if Adam Ondra ever has days like this. Just fun to be out and moving on rock no matter what the grade, watching seagulls catch an up draft, sharing belays with a friendly Spanish couple and finishing the day off with a Canya in the local bar surround by the Calpe expats version of the Jeremy Kyle show kicking off at the table
next door.
Money can't buy you days like these and long may they continue. Int climbing great.
I realised this evening that every day this year has been amazing. I know that we are only 4 days in but it is a hell of a good start. The big news for me is my new role working for one of the most respected outdoor distributors in the UK, the Mountain Boot Company. My remit covers many different areas including sponsered hero or brand ambasador for three of the best brands in the business Scarpa, Edelweiss and Grivel. I have also taken on the role of team captain for these brands meaning i get to work with some of the best climbers around, with the likes of Dave McCloed, Tim Emmett and the newest Scarpa and Edelweiss Athlete, the uber strong Ed Hamer. In the words of Tim, it looks like there are some spicy times ahead. My final role with MBC will be retailer support via boots demos, staff training and hopefully some interesting events. Infact the first demo of the year will be at the 4th Blokfest event on the January 19th at The Depot in Nottingham. Check out some more Boot Demo dates and venues below.
Scarpa Boot DemosBlokfest Jan 19th Depot Nottingham
The Arch Jan 20th London
The White Spider Jan 25th London
The Castle Jan 29th London
The Crag Feb 9th Stowmarket
On new years day I headed over to Sella to check out Sam and Rich Oranges new house. They never cease to amaze me with the drive and passion for all things fun. Sams latest pass time is collecting horses, already she is on 4 and quickly catching up to my 6. We left Sam to her ponies and with Rich we headed up to the less frequented wall of Elefante. Three 60 meter routes later we left happy and looking forward to a return visit to give some of the harder Mark Edwards routes a go.
Day 2 was a visit my favourite crag on the Costa Blanca...sadly I can't say where it is but if you are in the know then you will know. I came away with my hardest os for a while, the amazing and recently rebolted 7c+ Con Licencia Para Volar.
Day 3 turned into a rest day and some van work was in order. A full day painting and insulating the bedroom area of the van was a nice and relaxed way to spend it and although single handedly carrying my generator and lifting an 8x4 out of the van was by no means light work I was pleased with the results.
Day 4 I headed out with my good friend Bill for a fun day multi pitching on the Penon D'Ifac. Mare Nostrum was only put up a couple of years ago but represents one of the best outings on the Penon. 9 pitches starting with a 7a and culminating with another rather out there 7a Mare covers some amazing ground with some really great pitches. It is really well bolted so if 7a is not your grade it probably only has an obligatory grade on 6b. Obligatory means the lowest grade you need to be able to climb to get from bolt to bolt. This was my 4th route on the Penon and all have been great fun, on my way back down I wondered if Adam Ondra ever has days like this. Just fun to be out and moving on rock no matter what the grade, watching seagulls catch an up draft, sharing belays with a friendly Spanish couple and finishing the day off with a Canya in the local bar surround by the Calpe expats version of the Jeremy Kyle show kicking off at the table
next door.
Money can't buy you days like these and long may they continue. Int climbing great.
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