Northumberland Climbing - 31st August - Andy

Probably not the ideal training for the trip but I'm working on the 'any exercise is good training' theory, so I headed out for Kyloe in the Woods for a steady bouldering session!

The rain was threatening as I parked up but managed to hold off the whole afternoon but the impending storm made for hot and humid climbing conditions.

Managed the 'warm up' problems before sore skin, aching fingers and mossie & midgies put and end to the session.

Problems:

Swan Wall Direct

Swan Wall

Rosé

Pink Gin

Red Rum

The Elf Direct

Bad Finger

Monty Python's Direct

Monty Python's area - Kyloe in the Wood

Silkbody Base Layers - Thursday 27th August

Thanks to Dave Morton from Silkbody Clothing for supplying base layers for the trip. I'm really looking forward to using them and seeing how they perform as it's a while since I've used any silk base layers.

Will give a full account when we get back from the trip.

www.silkbody.co.nz

More Training - Tuesday 12th August

This week has been a busy one with the KORS trade show over in Kendal. Kieron and Steve managed to get out on the hill on the Tuesday evening, braving the wet weather to get up onto the top of Blencathra via Sharp Edge. I took the soft option and headed to Kendal Wall with Brian Hall for a session on the lead wall.

Fitness Paranoia - Andy

After the Chamonix trip, the work load had lead to less training opportunities than I'd have liked. Managed to squeeze a trip to Climb Newcastle for a quick hours bouldering but more was required!
Took the situation in hand and got out for a Friday and Saturday trail run. It was painful but necessary and I'm now into the running zone again!

Chamonix - 25th July to 1st August

Chamonix was the venue for a week of 'training' ahead of the trip. The weather was settled, with blue skies every day making for some hot temperatures on the glaciers!

We didn't get as much done as we'd hoped but you can't beat being in the mountains!


Kieron and Ross 'chilling' below the Contamine-Negri route on the Triangle du Tacul.



Kieron setting the pace back to the Midi.



Shot across to the Triangle du Tacul.

A little about the objective.

Hungchi is a peak a little over 7000m situated in the Upper Khumbu region of Nepal, south of the Nepalese - Tibetan border a few miles from Gokyo and close to the well known peak of Cho Oyo.

The mountain has only had two prior ascents, both via the South West Ridge (the ridge line on the right of the photo) which is the chosen objective for the trip.

Approximate time on the mountain will be 10 days, so hopefully a good weather window!

More paperwork!

Another round of form filling and passport photo sorting but hopefully this should be it!

Thanks to all at Deuter!

A big thanks to all at Deuter for the generous supply of packs and sleeping bags for the trip. Hopefully we can do the kit justice!!

The count down is on!

There's only 7 weeks or so left before we head off on the trip. Will the fitness be up to speed by then?? Still lots to sort out in the way of kit and the paperwork but at least the flights were booked a good while ago.

More to follow............