Kat Crocker
I am living my life the way I want to, whether climbing mountains, partying long into the night or having fun cooking cup cakes -)
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Climbing Mt Blanc
Its been just over two years since I have climbed Mt Blanc. I have got lots of amazing memories about 12 day trip to the Alps at that time. I have found a best friend and climbing partner Paul.
Quick trip to the Alps
First of all motherhood isn't
that bad! Now I have got Hannah I have got more time to climb!
At the end of May 2014 Paul and I had a cheeky trip to Chamonix, France. Cham
is one of my favourite places to climb despite a massive fall in to a crevasse
a few years back in the area.
To save money we choose to camp out just bellow Cosmique hut down the vallee
blanche. For a long time I wanted to test out my new The North Face Mountain 25
tent.
We set off early morning. From the top of the Aiguille du Midi we started to
gear up. At that point we realised that my ''baby brain'' is still present, ha ha.
I had forgotten to pack some essential safety gear. This had never happened to me before!!!
Thankfully Paul had some spare kit so we could make do. As we were intending to camp (for the first
time on snow with our own tent) and climb, we had way too much kg in our packs. Before even 30 min into our walk down the ridge I was already calculating how much money I
will get from eBay if I sell all of my gear! To be fair I think as its been
only 3 months after giving birth, my body wasn't ready for that kind of
challenge.
We have pitched our tent. The weather wasn't to bad, but it felt like it might
turn nasty any second. Night was windy and cold. The Tent did a very good job in
those conditions, I just need to figure out something about the
condensation...open the flaps a bit more most likely would do the job.
Not only was I trying out my tent for the first time I also tried my new Exped
Down 7 sleeping mat. Oh my lord that was the best mat I have ever used so far!
It was warm, comfy and unbelievably light.
In the morning it was obvious that we should of stayed at the hut. As carrying
to much isn't the best policy to enjoy your Alpine climbing trip. We packed our
stuff and went to the hut. So the second night we will be spending in ''luxury''
:-D. Cosmique hut was full because the 'Millet Expert' Shop had clothing
training with the Alpine guides.
With some luck the hut manager managed to squeeze us in for one night. Happy
days. We geared up and went to climb the ArĂȘte des Cosmiques. It
was a great mixed climbing climb. A bit to busy for my liking but I enjoyed
most of it, apart from two abseils. I HATE ABSEILING!!!!!
:-).
After the climb we had a lovely dinner. At the table we have met some
great climbers, one of them was Erik Weihenmayer, he is a big inspiration to
me and to many people around the world! In the mean time, the weather was getting
worse :-( we kept looking out of the window with a hope for a bit of
sunshine, but it was not to be.
In the morning we made a choice to go back down as it looked like if we
didn't go now, we could get stuck up high in the hut for a week or so. With poor
visibility we started to walk back to the cable car. And again I have
started auctioning my climbing gear! Plus in-between selling my gear I was
thinking of a new hobby: knitting...painting...swimming...sewing...LOL
Over all it was a good trip, I have tested myself and found out that I am out
of shape and that I need to work on my fitness a bit before I can do
any climbing or even walking.
Sunday, 24 August 2014
One step closer...
I am on the train and I am going to attend mountain leader training in Scotland. I feel like it's time for me to lead people to the mountains and share my love and passion for outdoors! I am hoping to have ML assessment at the end of October. After that I will start training towards my international mountain leader qualification.
Saturday, 19 April 2014
The biggest challenge yet!!!
I am back and I am back with a bang. My climbing dreams are so close to reality! Big expedition, big mountains ( 7000 m +), new exciting gear to test ( made in mother land), test myself being away for 40 days from my 9 months old baby :-(. If you think that's not an epic adventure think again. Over the next 3 months I will be getting ready for my biggest challenge yet. Lots of news to follow soon ;-)
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
As promised...it's time...
It's feels like just a few months back I found out that I am going to have a baby :-D!!! And on the 4th of December 13 Hannah was born. One month and a bit and I am ready to reunite with rocky, snowy mountains of Scotland (8th-9th feb). Fingers cross for a good weather! Can't wait!!!!!!!!
Friday, 22 November 2013
Iceland August 2013
Iceland
As a UNESCO
City of Literature, Reykjavik “Smokey Bay” emphasises the central position of
literature in the city’s and nation’s cultural life, its historical
significance and contemporary value. The capital is full of charming wooden
houses and narrow streets, quirky shops, city bars, cottage businesses and very
tasteful street art. Whilst we were
there every shop window display throughout the whole city celebrated LGBT
demonstrating the modern values of Iceland. We didn’t have much time to explore
this funky city so we agreed to come back one day!
Beyond
Reykjavik we visited the memorable ‘Big Three’ tourist attractions – Gullfoss,
Geysir and Thingvellir. Usually I don’t like to be “a tourist like” traveller
but it was the best way to visit 3 of the many natural wonders for which
Iceland is justly renowned.
Thingvellir
National Park – a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site was surrounded by outstanding
natural beauty, with its stunning lake, lava landscape (a must see), and rugged
chasm walls on the rift where Europe meets America at the Continental Divide.
Iceland actually sits on two different tectonic plates, the European one and
the north American one. Technically we could argue we walked from Europe to north
America while we strolled round the national park.
After the trail walking at the national park we visited the Gullfoss
Waterfall. This waterfall is magnificent and many claim it to be the most
magnificent of the country’s many.... However its proximity to the other
attractions makes it a very busy place. As spectacular as Gullfoss was with its
view of the River Hvita and drops of 96ft in two falls, we preferred other more
secluded glacier wonders that we would see later in the week.
The third
wonder literally took my breath away!!! Geyser, an area where hot springs are
in abundance and the most active one is Stokkur (this is the original geyser that
all other geysers are named after). Every 10 minutes it is spitting out a high
column of boiling water up to 60ft. It was a truly epic scene.
After
leaving Reykjavik we had Isafjordur and Akureyri.
Isafjordur
with its excellent natural harbour become an important site for the merchants
that traded with the farmers and fishermen in the area during and after the 16th
century. Production and export of
saltfish was the key to the growth of the town and its status as one of
Iceland’s main trading posts. We
strolled through the narrow streets of the old town (Nedstikaupstadur)
surrounded by it’s modest wooden houses dating from the late 18th
century. As we discovered, the town has got lots of walking trails to offer. I
wanted to see the view from above the fjord, so we pecked the highest hill and
walked up to reach the stunning views over the valley.
Akureyri is
most likely one of my favourite stops in Iceland.
On arrival we made a decision to travel in to
the centre of the high lands. We had about 8 hours, that was plenty to fit in
some kind of crazy adventure. We hired a local company Iceak to take us inland
on the tour. Off road. It was very wet and wild. We travelled miles and miles
across Iceland, we visited places you can only visit by foot or by 4 * 4.
On the lava
fields, across the desert, baron volcanic lands that stretched for miles and
miles. As you can see from the photo
bellow, Icelandic people can be comedians.
Despite the
rainy and foggy weather we had an amazing day exploring the High Lands. We saw
several apposing landscapes, from baron volcanic deserts, gorgeous waterfalls,
and glacier streamed idyllic valleys.
It’s a
fact that it wasn’t the best country I have ever visited. But spooky stories
about trolls and the unique Icelandic landscape made my trip memorable and
unforgettable.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Mountains “I will be back” ;-D!
Life is goodJ!!
Every month I am trying to get involved with some kind of
adventure. For the past 8 years I was
living in Norfolk. East Anglia was too far from my favorite landscapes. My
husband Luke and I were always planning to move up North. Finally at the
beginning of this year we made it! Right now our base is York. North Yorkshire
is so close to Lakes, Peaks and Scotland. Every other week I can enjoy rock
climbing while I am waiting for the Scottish winter.
This summer I had the opportunity to go away climbing with
my climbing partner Paul to North Wales.
Full body harness –check, helmet – check, climbing gear – check, over
sized trousers and tops for my baby bump – check. We left York on
Wednesday at about 16.00. The journey
was good, it took us only 3 hours to get there. Usually I am camping or just
bivviing, but now I am a bit different, so we agreed to stay in Ogwen Valley
Bunkhouse.
In the morning we knew that the weather wasn’t going to be
good till about 14.00. We travelled to the Tremadog. On arrival we stopped off
at Eric’s Cafe for a cup of tea and bite to eat. And guess what?!? We met the famous
Welsh climber and base jumper Eric Jones. Mr Jones is the owner of the Cafe and
Campsite/Bunkhouse below Tremadog crags.
Eric is one of my row models for his solo ascent of the Eiger’s North
Face. After the brunch break the weather
still wasn’t looking great. But we could not wait much longer. We picked one of
the easiest climbs on the crag, so if the rock is still wet we will be able to
climb it.
Hail Bebe Climb.
I should say that at
the beginning I didn’t really liked that climb. Very slippery start, a bit
okward first pitch for a baby bump. On the way up there were too many trees and
it turned a bit easy with not much climbing necessary, hardly even a scramble. After we passed the tops of the tree line, suddenly
amazing views appeared in front of us. Sunshine finally started to worm up the
Welsh land. It was so amazing to be near the top of this climb in bright sun
shine.
Christmas Curry.
I think it’s going to make my top 100 climbs! Strong start,
hard work, muddy but well worth it! This had similar features to a chimney
climb and you had to grab in and use strong arms to pull yourself up – tough
work out.
The next few days we had bright sunshine and were able to climb
at Llanbaris Pass and Tryfan. Scary
multi-pitch climbs I had never done ascents like these before the challenge
kept reminding me about why I love climbing so much. Some of the moves were so
scary I could hardly look down. Pitch after pitch my heart was pumping with
happiness I was in my niche...Life is good!!!
That is it for this year. Literally within the last few
weeks my belly has got so much bigger. I went to the local wall for a climb and
realised that the only grades I could manage where 3 to 5a, ha ha I can’t
recall ever climbing grade 3 in my life :-D.
As of now I have got ‘just’ 5 walking trips planed to make
up for not being able to climb. Pretty soon I am expecting to be too tied for
even that. After Christmas I will join all the new year’s resolution hopefuls
as I try to get back into shape. Hopefully I will manage to escape to Scotland
to do some mountaineering before hitting the Alps in the summer of 2014!
Mountains “I will be back” ;-D!
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