Sheffield Photography Lecture 28th Jan

I'm doing something a little different this coming Friday. Rather than lecture about my walking holidays I'm doing a show at The Showroom Cinema about climbing photography. It will be a mix of stories, images, video and tips. More info can be found here: http://shaff.co.uk/content/51/expert-nights

The show is part of 4 expert nights from different outdoor adventure activities over the next month leading up to the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival on the 4th to 6th March

The Mighty Storvegen

During a largely social trip to Skye, I had that rare but rewarding experience of finding myself in the right place at the right time. With winter conditions right down to sea level I couldn't resist the draw of one of the best lines in Scotland; Storvegen VI,8Spot the line!A view out to the Cuillin, on the day before our ascent (that day we failed on two lines).Jon celebrating finally getting up something, with the old man poking through the falling snowA very happy three, me, Ben and Jon

Macclesfield Lecture

For anyone in the vicinity of Macclesfield, I'm doing a lecture for Camp Four at Macclesfield Rugby Club on Friday 14th Jan. Some details here http://campfour.blogspot.com/2010/11/when-north-wind-blows-ian-parnell.html

I'm working on a new mix of pretty pics...
... tall tales from the Himalaya...
... wonderful adventures from closer to home...... all in all a roller coaster ride through the mountain life.

Hopefully see you there.

New Year Lessons

It's often too easy to regret the day to day. Your dream routes, adventures or experiences fading ever further away behind a growing to do list. Whether it's pressure from work, family or injuries, life's little speed bumps can seem mountain-like obstacles. Burdened with a year full of all three, I've been guilty recently of feeling a bit too sorry for myself. I had a wake up call a few weeks ago when I heard that Northumberland legend Andy Earl had collapsed with a brain hemorrhage and was being kept in an induced coma after surgery. Well, it seems like there is the first sign of good news here http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/12/30/new-dad-fights-for-life-as-girl-is-born-72703-27908201/

The fact that Andy came out of his deep sleep on Christmas Eve and his daughter was born on Christmas Day really puts things into perspective.

I don't know Andy that well, although I did have the chance to spend a day photographing him and his Dad John up in Northumberland (pics above Crouching Mahogany E4 6b at Callerhues and on his own route Masterclass E7 6c at Rothley). Several things were really evident that day, one Andy is a phenomenal climber (one of the very best), secondly he seems a genuinely fun-loving, life-loving kind of guy, and finally he is obviously part of a very strong family unit (something I am sure will be invaluable during his recovery). So next time your foot slips off on that nth attempt at the crux, or there are wet streaks at the crag, or just that you have to leave the crag early to go do the family supermarket run remember life might not be ideal but you have to make the most of every opportunity no matter how imperfect.

Here's wishing the Earl Clan speedy progress in 2011, and good luck to everyone in the new year.

Winter Wow!

...and I thought last season was supposed to be the best ever. It's been an incredible start this time and it's patently obvious that not just one or two individuals but collectively the whole British scene has raised it's game. Just scanning the 'net over the last few days you've a new grade IX on the Brack http://www.scottishwinter.com/?p=843 a new Glen Coe grade IX http://www.ukclimbing.com/news/item.php?id=59260 a repeat of Cathedral X http://andyturnerclimbing.blogspot.com/2010/12/cathedral-x11-2nd-ascent-in-bag.html a repeat of Cracking Up IX http://font8a.blogspot.com/2010/12/rare-view-from-top-out.html and to top it all off God Delusion just got repeated IX http://www.moran-mountain.co.uk/blog/. Now that everyone is warmed up what is the rest of the season going to be like...!

Part of me is massively inspired, part of me is massively jealous, and part of me is also a bit alarmed how much I'll have to get my act together for next season (at the moment I am doing bicep rehab with a 1 1/4 kg weight).

Ratho Lecture this Saturday

A reminder that I'll be lecturing at the Climbing Centre at Ratho, Edinburgh as part of the Scottish Tooling Competition series. Amongst other things I'm hoping to have some new footage to show from when Ines Papert was over and we climbed Blood Sweat and Frozen Tears. I'm also excited to see some of the comp, dry tooling events tend to be a little more creative than your typical wall climbing event. For more details of the day see here http://www.scottishtoolingseries.co.uk/2010/10/ian-parnell-blood-sweat-and-frozen-tears/

Me on Dent du Requin - Es Tressider
Me on Bulgy in the Northern Corries
Me loving it
Me hating it?

Will Gadd Lecture for Porters Progress

This Thursday, if you live in London well worth catching Will Gadd at the RGS. Will is a true phenomenon, one of the world's most impressive and creative climbers and all-round outdoor athletes/explorers but he is also an outstanding communicator. If you aren't 10% more alive at the end of this show then you are probably fast on your way to clocking out already.