Tag: climbing-clan

Being a parent and founder of two sports clubs

30 October 2024

Being a parent and being the chair & founder of two sports clubs simultaneously is not something I'd recommend. Running a sports club is often as intense as running a small business. When I found out I was going to be a dad, stepping down was something I really didn't want to do. We'd come […]

Taking James to Thursday evening climbing

20 October 2024

Throwback to taking James to Thursday evening climbing with @climbingclan In honesty, whilst it was pleasant to get outside and enjoy the ambience, it didn't allow me to get any climbing done. Actually, that's a lie. The (then) Climbing Clan Training Officer belayed me up Middle & Leg (D) from the top once, which was […]

What does a flowerpot remind you of?

16 October 2024

What does a flowerpot remind you of? Soil? Roots? If ever you hear of something described as a flowerpot entrance, you can basically assume you have to enter through a flowerpot. Whilst that's not true, and "a big water pipe" might be closer to the truth, there is an element of truth to it. This […]

Stepping down as chair of the Climbing Clan after 7 years

8 October 2024

After 7 years, I've stepped down as chair of the Climbing Clan. It's been a wild ride since 2017, and I'm feeling ALL the feels. From zero to hero: We started with no skills, no members, no experience, no contacts, and no money. Now? We're a thriving community of rock stars (pun intended). Proud parent […]

Climbing Clan culture of care and support

5 January 2023

One of the things I'm most proud of the Clan is a culture of sharing knowledge onwards to the next generation. Over the last year, Mark has been organising sessions to help people learn how learn skills, but also how to help people learn to pass on skills well. This is such a crucial area […]

Assorted moments from the Climbing Clan trip to Skye

4 January 2023

Assorted moments from the Climbing Clan trip to Skye. Happy Happy Memories! Originally posted on this post on Instagram

A memorable day with Rachel on the Cioch in Skye

3 January 2023

A memorable day with Rachel on the Cioch with the Clan in Skye. it was a fantastic day out, with great weather and we were able to do the Cioch by the classic slab Diff route next to it, followed by Collie's Route and topping out up the gully (via the cave pitch). We then […]

A familiar pose from my climbing partners on Skye

2 January 2023

A familiar pose from my climbing partners! A memorable day in Skye! A late start, and an early retreat after "fun" routefinding a Diff on Window Buttress. I thought I'd sussed it… until it felt mega hard. Also Liv's first abseil. I bailed of a rated accessory snapgate and left a sling. Sad times. Originally […]

Why is the Great Stone Chute ever thought of as good?

1 January 2023

Why is the Great Stone Chute ever thought of as Good in any way? 😉 A drippy ascent of the chute to the top of Sgurr Alasdair on the Climbing Clan Skye trip at Easter last year! Originally posted on this post on Instagram

First day in Skye with the Climbing Clan – scrambling adventures

29 December 2022

A first day in Skye with the Climbing Clan at Easter. Scrambling up "not the drainpipe". My first time on this scramble, and a quality laugh. Originally posted on this post on Instagram

Watching the Climbing Clan grow

14 December 2022

One of the hardest things about seeing the Climbing Clan grow up is having to step aside and let great people take over. It can be a disquieting experience to visit and not be in control. But we're so lucky to have Halina and Kirsty, and the indoor team on the case. They do an […]

Skye 2022 with the Climbing Clan

11 December 2022

Skye 2022 with the Climbing Clan – the best place to practice Moving Together is in large groups… in the hut. I'm still dying to do a Moving Together Pub Crawl, but where everyone is in pairs, roped together with a fair amount of rope out. Yes, it'd go badly. That's the point. This – […]