A killer goldilocks jacket – for everything from spring climbing to 3000m alpine summits
On turning around…
Sometimes the right decision doesn’t feel remotely good…
Mt Tonodake – Omote Ridge
An physically hard but technically easy ridge hike in easy reach of Tokyo and Yokohama that’s transformed in winter conditions into a perfect low-grade route.
Mountaineering and climbing boot sizing – a pragmatic viewpoint
I recently bought a new pair of winter climbing boots, for 2 main reasons: I wanted a boot warm enough to climb Mt Aka (2,899m) in winter and I’m tired of losing a toenail every winter because my trusty La Sportiva Nepal Extremes are 1/2 size too small.
Good Friday Climb, Ben Nevis
This route is definitely on the hard end of mild, but it’s awesome nonetheless – a big day out on Grade III snow/ice.
A note about gloves in extreme cold…
I recently climbed Mt Akadake in Japan’s Yatsugatake range (2,899m) in winter. It was -13ºc at the hut the night before, so with the extra…
The 4 Pillars of Mild Mountaineering
The move from walking to mountaineering can be daunting – there are new skills to master, new judgements to make, new risks to evaluate. It’s…
Ben Nevis, Number 4 Gully
This may be the quintessential Mild Mountaineering route, and it’s where all of this started. Number 4 Gully is, by all accounts, the easiest way…
What’s the right rucksack size for winter mountaineering?
The obvious, but unhelpful, answer is – it depends on what you want to carry.