Tag: climbing

  • One Weekend – Two Pinnacle Rides

    One Weekend – Two Pinnacle Rides

    Reading Time: 2 minutesThis weekend I know of two challenging rides that I could do. The first is a 140km ride with 2000m of climbing, eventually getting to the top of the Salève. The second is a 153km walk with 2500m of climbing to the Col Du Grand St Bernard. Col Du Grand St Bernard…

  • The Desire to Cancel an Event

    The Desire to Cancel an Event

    Reading Time: 2 minutesPre-broken arm and pre-pandemic I was deeply passionate about via ferrata and I went up every single weekend in summer. Since my broken arm, and since the pandemic I have lost almost all desire to do via ferrata. It’s a sport that I loved because I loved finding new places. The issue,…

  • Cycling Uphill with a Combined Harvester Right Behind

    Cycling Uphill with a Combined Harvester Right Behind

    Reading Time: 2 minutesYesterday we were cycling up towards Marchissy when a combine harvester began to follow us quite close. The experience of being followed, while cycling is quite something. These machines are large, with big tyres, and the driver is centred rather than to the left as with other vehicles. Luckily the gradient of…

  • Emergency Contact Infoormation and Incident Detection

    Emergency Contact Infoormation and Incident Detection

    Reading Time: < 1 minuteRecently I joined a cycling group and they require us to provide In Case of Emergency Information so that if we have an accident our phone provides people with names and numbers to call. At first I thought "Why would I want this, I have no In Case of Emergency person"…

  • The Charmey Via Ferrata and Personal Limits

    The Charmey Via Ferrata and Personal Limits

    Reading Time: 3 minutesThere was a time when I would have gone to Charmey and climbed the Square Vide II route without hesitation. This is a K6 route that starts with an overhang, before continuing over several more overhangs. I tried the first part and decided not to continue. I climbed back down before getting…

  • HowNOT2 Videos – Climbing Safety

    HowNOT2 Videos – Climbing Safety

    Reading Time: 3 minutesIn scuba diving and aviation safety is a discussion that takes place before and after every dive or flight. It is discussed every time divers meet up. With climbing safety is important too but the focus is different. “This is how you should belay, this is how you should climb, this is…

  • Nid-De-Poule and Yerba Maté

    Nid-De-Poule and Yerba Maté

    Reading Time: 2 minutesFrench speakers are familiar with the term “Nid-De-Poule”. It is a term used to describe potholes in French. This is a term I heard regularly but due to modern farm practices you don’t see these when they’re made by chickens. Chickens usually live in chicken coops and they don’t have the time…

  • Day 38 of Self-Isolation in Switzerland – Contact Sports

    Day 38 of Self-Isolation in Switzerland – Contact Sports

    Reading Time: 2 minutesBy May we may be able to go back to doing sports in groups as long as they are not “contact sports” in Switzerland. For me this means hiking, running cycling and other related sports. For me climbing is a contact sport because we touch the same hand holds as everyone else…

  • Fitness Centres and the Corona Virus

    Reading Time: 2 minutesI have been thinking of climbing gyms, in other words of fitness centres and the Corona Virus. A few years ago I went to a gym where we wiped down every machine after use. We would get a paper towel, spray it with liquid and clean all the surfaces we touched. This…

  • Reverso Four Wear and Tear

    Reverso Four Wear and Tear

    Reading Time: 3 minutesReverso Four wear and tear is normal. I have been using mine for years and it was used most heavily during an IFSC World Cup climbing event two or three years ago. Over the years I have grown in proficiency with the device and I trust it. The beauty of the Reverso…