Tim Dobson
Thinker, Blogger, Hacker, Hiker.
A visit to Carlswark Cavern is like seeing Nickelback
23 December 2019
A visit to Carlswark Cavern is like going to see Nickelback. Just like a Nickleback gig, there's nothing special about Carlswark the Cavern. Any particularly aesthetically pleasing bits look distinctly faded. Anything "mildly hazardous" is very PG. And yet, if you close your eyes and pretend you're somewhere else, you can still enjoy it. But […]
Like a potato climbing a wall in boxing gloves
22 December 2019
• seen a potato climbing a wall in boxing gloves and roller skates?'¸ ·Ever seen spiderwoman lead climbing? § ¦Ever seen a blind blue t-rex wrestling with an overhang?ª . . No? You probably missed the Halloween Climbing Clan this year. Maybe next time? Here's a few highlights, with extra photos thanks to Liba, Sarah […]
Take the luck and try not to rely on it
22 December 2019
"Take the luck, appreciate it and try not to make it a habit to rely on it" . . Some questionable deecisions and deescent of the Dee. A happy and enjoyable day with Caro and Harry a few months ago. Probably also quite a lucky day – a sketchy swim at Town Falls going […]
A fantastic day on Pinnacle Ridge in Ogwen
21 December 2019
Throwback to a fantastic day with Mark, doing Pinnacle Ridge (Ogwen) [VDiff ish]. Wonderfully exposed ridge with some exciting moves on it. There were a few times I said: "how the fudge do I do this?". Really fun to spend a day in unseasonably nice weather getting to tick off an objective I've been eager […]
Yorkshire Dales climbing at Twisleton Scar
19 December 2019
Throwback to the Yorkshire dales day of our Northumbrian Climbing Trip at Twisleton Scar. Apart from some loose rock, what a great crag for a day with the clan on a surprisingly sunny day in November! Originally posted on this post on Instagram
Green tongues and great lines on my favourite river run
19 December 2019
Green tongues, great lines and fun times: memories of my favourite ever run down the Leven with Tavi this autumn. 1.1m is such a sweet medium level to kayak that river Originally posted on this post on Instagram
Climbing Clan trip to Hadrians Wall highlights
18 December 2019
Some highlights of our Climbing Clan trip to Hadrian's wall. '¡ Mollie and Chris's first outdoor climbs '¡ Steve's second time outdoor climbing '¡ Matt's return to leading '¡ Mark becoming comfortably independent trad leading '¡ Kirsty's second ever trad route '¡ Hiding in the shelter as the end of climbing arrived (around midday) '¡ […]
Cold water swimming in the Cotswolds with Rebecca
17 December 2019
That time when Rebecca showed me round her local cold water swim in the Cotswolds and we saw (I almost stepped on) a crayfish for the first time! Quite an invigorating morning £ Originally posted on this post on Instagram
Watching Kirsty progress from first trad leads to harder routes
15 December 2019
Throwback to Kirsty's first few trad leads. Kirsty is regularly leading harder routes indoors, but when you start out leading trad, it's important to start easy and take it gently. Here's Kirsty leading The Corner at Windgather and Back Alley at Crag Lough. Kirsty has been very generous sharing her skills indoors with Clan so […]
Do stronger climbers feel welcome at the Climbing Clan?
14 December 2019
Occasionally people hear that the Climbing Clan is welcoming and supportive and ask me if stronger climbers are welcome. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is supported. If you were new to climbing, you might see someone like Debbie climbing the bigger walls and feel like she is a world away from you. But Debbie is also […]
Into the muddiest cave ever – during, after, and after showering
13 December 2019
During. After. After showering. Memorable throwback of our trip into the muddiest cave ever. Next time, you can pick the cave Holly! £ Originally posted on this post on Instagram
Watching people learn on Climbing Clan Wales trips
11 December 2019
One of the best things about the September Climbing Clan weekend trip to Wales was watching people levelling up their outdoor climbing. There were first outdoor climbs, there were confidence boosting trad climbs and some people even climbed trad for the first time. A great weekend with the Clan in one of my favourite parts […]