3 REFLECTIONS ON 2024

1. Everything is situational

After my first E3, the Cuillin, the Aonach Eagach & Tower Ridge I turned to building up my caving & canyoning skillset. There was a temptation to apply what I’ve learnt as an MCI but I found good reasons why caving & canyoning ropework is markedly different. Abseiling off a mountain crag, down a waterfall into a deep pool or into a subterranean chasm brings different considerations. Understand the situation & you understand why climbers, canyoneers & cavers do things the way we do.

abesiling off pinnacle ridge on the cuillin, Skye

abseiling scale force, Lake District

abseiling into Valhalla cavern, Yorkshire dales

2. Easy pace & HIGH volume

Most of my running & mountain leadership falls into heart rate Zones 0-2 with nearly 100km logged in some weeks. Any gains in speed have been negligible but my VO2 max has risen continuously during this year’s trail running with two Half Marathons & two Marathons ticked off. Don’t underestimate the benefit of big mountain days & long runs at a relaxed pace.
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running the coniston marathon

3. Not what but who

Ultimately going out with whoever just to build my logbook has come to an end. When you ask a climbing partner to belay you & keep you from hitting the ground or if the worst happens evacuate you off the crag you place an incredible amount of trust in them. So too the best running partners will push you to performances you didn’t think were possible. This year’s been a great season for me personally with my hardest climbs, biggest mountain days & longest runs. But what all those achievements have in common is I had the best people alongside.

 Looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings.