Blog
Musings on photography, mental health and mountain life.
New Beginnings
There’s a beauty to the innocence of youth. The belief that time is endless, that tomorrow will come, and we’ll play again. There’s no pressure to do things, no urgency, just the desire to have fun, to learn, to experience new things. To live every day safe in the knowledge that we can do it all again tomorrow and the next day.
A Weekend with the Old Man: Adventure on the Island of Hoy
Poking my head over a ledge I narrowly avoided the famed vomit greeting. Pat led through and deposited us safely at the base of the final stunning looking corner pitch.
Climbing and Photography in Peru: In Search of Adventure
I donned my big mitts and we carried on up the ridge, a dark abyss to our left which greeted us as the swirling mist occasionally parted. It was quite an experience to be so alone so high up. Dani began to throw up, his choice of breakfast came back to haunt him as half the curried noodles and a bottle of condensed milk curiously hadn’t sat well
Climbing and Photography in Peru: Arriba Peru!!
I had already sampled the kitchen of the hostel and decided that weight loss would be sufficiently achieved from time at altitude. There was, therefore, no need to run the dysentery gauntlet by cooking in the accommodation.
Meeting Myself: When the Horse Bucks
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I drove to meet a friend for lunch. The boy I had met was a memory I had of me aged 19. For the first time since I was this boy, I had somehow been able to find the mental space and distance to understand what he was struggling with.
Filling The Soul Cup
Gently touching down and letting my wing fall behind me, I turn, take a huge breath, look back up the valley, smell the early morning dew, smile the smile of The Cheshire Cat and feel the pride of knowing I did that on my own and its mine alone to indulge in.
Weathering the Storm: Part 3
Hindsight offers a clarity of thought seldom available where heightened emotions are involved. It’s only 2 years after the event that I feel able to slightly better articulate those feelings of loneliness. In my case as with many of my mental health problems, the root cause stems from within. My lack of self confidence, of real direction in life, the continuing success of my girlfriend’s law career and her designs on life all contributed to a deep sense of unworthiness, isolation and ultimately loneliness.
More Speed, Less Haste on Gran Paradiso
Last year, between lockdowns and injuries, I wanted to capture sunrise at the summit of Gran Paradiso. After this, I wanted to fly from below the summit back to the car. This is the story of my attempt(s).
In it to Win it..
Quick write up of an amazing day skiing in Scotland during a trip back to the motherland.