Kyashar 2011 Expedition - Andy's thoughts

ME Pro partner Andy Houseman has just posted "Snow, snow and more snow in the Hinku" with more amazing pictures and his thoughts on the Kyashar expedition, you can check that out at his blog here

Andy leaving the belay for the final pitch

If you haven't already checked it out you can see fellow ME pro partner Nick Bullocks Kyashar post here

Nick approaching the bivi boulder after 18 hours on the go

M.E Trip to Arco

After a day of delays, hire car faff and getting on the busy Italian autostarda without a ticket (naughty Andy) we all arrived at Arco Italy. Arco is situated just north of lake Garda and is a bit of a rock climbers dream with lots of easily accessible limestone ranging from short sport crags through to huge multi pitch multi day epics. The trip was at the invitation of our German colleagues from Invia to go climbing and eat tasty Italian ice cream.

So with the promise of excellent cafe doppio (double espresso) and polished rock in our minds we trotted over to Italy to find both true. .

Although many Brits deride Arco as being too polished, we found if your prepared to make a little more effort and with quality beta from our German colleagues (thanks Thomas) some really good climbing can be found.

The first two days we're a nice mix of Via ferrata and going climbing, the team were climbing well, some of us even embracing and succeeding on the polish.

On our day of departure we decided to keep things interesting by attempting one of the many soaring multipitches in the valley. This greatly worried Thomas (head of Invia) who had visions of us having an epic and missing the flights, but despite the slightly worrying look of the thread runners which most of the route had been equipped with, the 3 teams of two pulled over the top of the cliff with plenty of time to spare. So after a well earned coffee down by the lake we left for the airport tried but satisfied.

Enjoy the photos of the M.E team having fun.

Kyashar 2011 Expedition - Back in Kathmandu

I've had a few emails in today from ME Pro partners Nick Bullock and Andy Houseman who are currently out in Kathmandu waiting on a flight back to the UK after their attempt on Kyashar. 

You can read a great post expedition piece "Balloons,Kathmandu" by Nick over at his blog here

a few photos from which are below

All photos Bullock/Houseman

Photos - Dove Crag, December 2010

I've just been sorting out some digital photos and came across these that i had forgotten I'd taken from a foray to Dove Crag in the Lake District last December.

Looking up to Dove Crag

Other than rekindling some great memories of a superb early start to the winter, the other piece of good news is that you too can now get your hands on the delectable Yellow & Red jacket that Andy is wearing in some of these photos. The Orbital Jacket is in the shops now and was recently reviewed on OutdoorsMagic.

Andy Green in South Gully, Dove Crag.

Andy Green on the exit slopes

Looking back across Brotherswater towards High Street

Enjoying the last rays of sunshine

Andy Turner on Goliath

Yesterday ME Pro partner Andy Turner headed out to Burbage to do battle with the Don Whillans classic Goliath.



 You can check out more footage, images and Andys full report over at his blog here

Want to go climbing with Dave MacLeod in Norway?

Well heres you chance, Gore -Tex have just announced the next challenge in the 'Gore-Tex Experience Tour' and its to go climbing in Tromso, Norway with ME pro partner/Gore athlete Dave MacLeod and Professional film maker and friend of the brand Paul Diffley.

Heres more info.... 

Explore remote climbing routes in Arctic Norway with Scottish climbing legend Dave MacLeod.
The islands and fjords around Tromso, Norway, have many little-explored cliffs and big walls with huge potential for adventurous new climbs on perfect rock. You have the chance to win one of two places to explore these beautiful granite walls of Arctic Norway with one of Gore's sponsored athletes, Dave MacLeod, and filmmaker Paul Diffley. As part of the team you will visit some incredibly remote locations and search for new routes to climb.
The type of climbs will depend on the ability of the team, what cliffs you find when you get there and what the Norwegian climate throws at you. The climbing could be anything from short and difficult single pitch routes to multi-day big walls. If you are lucky you and Dave could find some long and amazing routes on perfect sunkist granite. And, if you are even luckier you could have a hardcore adventure, testing your ability, kit and mental strength in rain and sleet storms high on a wall!
Either way, this will be an incredible adventure with one of the best trad climbers in the world.

Please note: The Experience Tour project itself will be held in English. Gore will pay for the travel expenses of the two candidates for the duration of the 15-day project.

Application deadline: June 5th 2011
Closing date for voting: June 13th 2011
Casting event: July 9th - 10th 2011
Experience Tour project: August 13th - 27th 2011 in Tromso, Norway

You can check out more info and apply via the Experience Tour Facebook page here

Kyashar 2011 Expedition update - part 4

Just had a text in from Andy and Nick (see below)....unfortunetly its bad news the weather hasn't improved so the guys have had to bail on their attempt and are now on their way back to Kathmandu. 

"Hi Dunk, we've been shut down by unsetttled weather and too much snow up high, its been over 2 weeks since we had the last snow free day, with no chance of getting on the South pillar we tried the easier West ridge but got hammered by the weather. We went a different way to the first ascent team found some very 'exciting' (very scary) climbing. There was way too much snow to make any progress on the upper ridge so bailed next morning. Should be back in Kathmandu in a week Nick and Andy"

We should hopefully have more info and photos from Nick and Andy when they get back into Kathmandu so check back later