When your tour guide gets out of the car in the middle of nowhere holding a machete there are several thoughts likely to flit across your mind. For me, it was: S*&! is this guy going to murder us?? AND Jeepers creepers, this hike might be wild and hard core. Thankfully, the latter thought was … Continue reading Volcano number 28 – Rarotonga
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Volcano number 26 – Helvellyn
Helvellyn – It’s a mountain (and a volcano) I’ve wanted to climb for years. One of those illusive ones that I could have done a number of times but just never got round to. That was, until earlier this month, when my fiancé and I made our way up to England’s Lake District for a … Continue reading Volcano number 26 – Helvellyn
Overcoming self-doubt when ice climbing
“Let’s do this cool gully,” said Richard, discussing the Sunday adventure plans in the Lake District, while sizing up his crampons and ice axes. We were still in the cosy confines of the hut, nursing hangovers and savouring strong coffee, yet I was absolutely terrified of climbing a wall of ice with just some spikey … Continue reading Overcoming self-doubt when ice climbing
The search for Devil’s Kitchen
This path looked different in the daylight. It looked different going up instead of down too. For starters, it seemed much steeper. My heavy breathing and visible sweating despite the cold temperatures was testament to that. Also, there seemed to be a jolly lot of boulders, cold and slippery, that we were having to clamber … Continue reading The search for Devil’s Kitchen
Turning disaster and uncertainty into a silver lining
I’ve realised I’m not that great with the unknown. It can be scary not knowing what’s around the corner or on the other side of that bank of cloud when you’re high up on a mountain. When faced with the unknown or uncertainty when we’re out on an adventure, we often instantly jump to the … Continue reading Turning disaster and uncertainty into a silver lining
Volcano number 8: The accidental volcano
Yip that clock is ticking – 40 volcanoes by the age of 40 (#40by40), and I’ve currently checked off… a big fat seven. As you know it’s not quite the progress I was hoping to have made but in the name of positivity, you have to admit, it’s progress of sorts. Now that I’m taking … Continue reading Volcano number 8: The accidental volcano