UIAA World Cup - Cheongsong, Korea 🇰🇷
This post comes a month late but better late than never!
My first world cup was such an amazing experience! Getting the chance to compete against the strongest ice climbers in the world blows my mind - not that I am anywhere near being able to contend against them!
This also gave me the experience of travelling Korea where I spent 5 days exploring Seoul with other members of the GB team. We ate lots of new food (or at least I did), tons of cultural experiences, got to visit the DMZ, and a forced march across town by @katchkin !
Competition wise, qualifier route one went less than expected taking a big fall and flipping upside down while going up to an undercling off of an intellect hold just slightly twisting my axe off as I reached up.
Qualifier route two I felt confident approaching but was concerned on what I heard about a worn hold near the top of the vertical section. Although I blew off a hold around half way up during a large traverse - I am still unsure what happened but I assume it was due to my foot placement.
Overall a MEGA experience for my first World Cup!
Thank you to all the organisers and to the @kaf_1962 for being such kind hosts.
@gb_climbing@scottishdrytoolingclub@uiaa_iceclimbing@sumcstrathclyde@ict.europe
UIAA European Continental - Žilina, Slovakia 🇸🇰
Second competition of the season and had such an amazing time! Getting to climb a bit more compared to last week has helped with the psych so much for the rest of the upcoming season!
Q1 was an interesting climb in a corner starting with a press without using your axes. Into the second crux I fumbled with the mandatory clip for too long before continuing to climb using my hands on a few metal volumes. I went fast after but not fast enough to make up the wasted time. I timed out, which is good, but in the future I need to work on trying new methods when stuck on a section to not waste time.
Q2 was a long overhung route - in my head I knew it may be possible to top as nothing looked too technical but I would have to climb fast for myself. Starting with a slightly strange slot hold it was smooth sailing into an interesting fig 4 where it was go time from there. I sped up as fast as I felt able to but it just wasnt enough to top before timing out. I gave Q2 my all and felt shattered coming down.
Overall, I am super happy with my performance and had such an amazing time competing again. I finished up 27th out of 59 people - much better result than Bern - putting me in the top half of climbers for the day!
Thanks to the setters @ola_kosek and @aleksander_hu and to the organisers of the event.
Photo 1 credit to @martin.komlossy@scottishdrytoolingclub@gb_climbing@uiaa_iceclimbing@ict.europe@strathsports
UIAA European Continental Bern 🇨🇭 - Qualifier Route 1
Full video of my attempt on qualifier route 1 shot by @everydaycult_
After having a tough time falling early on route 2 , route 1 went so much better than expected. The route started with an undercut shortly followed by my first every time using a hold requiring to torque within competition! I had only tried a torque for the first time a week prior outside!
Continuing into a tough and slippery detriot red wings undercut I reached up to the stone above just within reach. As I approached the rail above I was concerned if I had the reach to avoid the dyno - luckily I did!
A last short but hard fight in a fig 4 position used up the rest of my energy as I tried to reach for the next hold but eventually fell off leaving my axe on the rail! It was such an interesting route in a hard competition and I'm happy i got to give it a go!
Thank you to the setters and organisers @obloc.ch and @sutertobias for the amazing comp!
@scottishdrytoolingclub@gb_climbing@uiaa_iceclimbing@ict.europe@strathsports
UIAA European Contenential - Bern, Switzerland 🇨🇭
First competition of the season and my first time competing for GB 🇬🇧🏴! It was an amazing experience to get to go to my first proper competition abroad - although as warned I may have gotten spanked by the routes!
Q2 with an evil hold down low - I didn't take the correct angle and got spat off (along with almost 3/4 of others). Q1 which I dont have a video of went better than expected getting to a fig 4 on a rail about 3/4 of the way up the wall but not enough to save my performance on Q2. Overall I ended up 44th out of 52 - not the happiest but I know what to work on!
Cover Photo Credit:
Silvan Mahler / @liveit.ch / @mahlersilvan@gb_climbing@scottishdrytoolingclub@ict.europe@strathsports
The Message IV 6
Conditions were maybe a bit lean but enough to keep going! Such an amazing route and definetly worth the 3 stars.
This was my first winter lead and I am shattered now - guess the dry tooling helps but not as much as I thought.
So much ice caked on everything! We had to eat each others knots to get them undone.
@scottishdrytoolingclub
GB Ice Tryouts - Warsaw, Poland 2025
Thought I'd have a go at making a reel!
I'm so beyond happy with how the weekend went! It was such close competition - but I was able to come 3rd!
The setting and comp were amazing thanks to @ola_kosek@willismorris25 and thanks to @poland_ice_climbing_team for hosting.
I had such a nice time exploring Warsaw with everyone from @scottishdrytoolingclub - but now I think I've got to start getting serious with training!
Brno Training Weekend with @scottishdrytoolingclub
Super amazing weekend training, it's so good to be able to climb up for once even if it's pouring rain!
I've gotten tons out of the weekend - I now know I need to work on my kicking and sequences to save time and effort (and not kicking my own ankle).
I'm shattered and hobbling but I'm more psyched then ever!
@ict.europe
First UIAA Continental Cup in Sunderland!
Had such an amazing time with hopefully many more comps you come!
Lots of little mistakes and lots to learn but feel like I smashed it for a first comp!
@thatcrazydutchguy@scottishdrytoolingclub@ict.europe
Cullin Ridge Travers - 23:29:55
By far the hardest walk I've ever done physically but one of the most fulfilling. Wet start at TD gap with everything nice and dry by our water stop half way through the day. We topped the tooth just as the sun set so last few hours were an experience. Maybe I'll try faster next year :(
I still can't feel my toes a week later...
☑️ Blade Runner - E4 6a
Phsyced to send blade runner on the 3rd session and first lead on it. First 2 sessions felt horrible but something clicked and gave it a go with some encouragement.
Prob need to do direct start now...
