Training for the New Alpinism

In Training for the New Alpinism, Steve House, world-class climber and Scott Johnston, coach of U.S. National Champions and World Cup Nordic Skiers, translate training theory into practice to allow you to coach yourself to any mountaineering goal.

Applying training practices from other endurance sports, House and Johnston demonstrate that following a carefully designed regimen is as effective for alpinism as it is for any other endurance sport and leads to better performance.

They deliver detailed instruction on how to plan and execute training tailored to your individual circumstances. Whether you work as a banker or a mountain guide, live in the city or the country, are an ice climber, a mountaineer heading to Denali, or a veteran of 8,000-meter peaks, your understanding of how to achieve your goals grows exponentially as you work with this book.

Chapters cover endurance and strength training theory and methodology, application and planning, nutrition, altitude, mental fitness, and assessing your goals and your strengths. Chapters are augmented with inspiring essays by world-renowned climbers, including Ueli Steck, Mark Twight, Peter Habeler, Voytek Kurtyka, and Will Gadd. Filled with photos, graphs, and illustrations.

Personally I can't wait to order my copy - http://www.amazon.com/Training-New-Alpinism-Climber-Athlete/dp/193834023X.

 

K2 - The Summit

Told through interviews, audio footage and reenactments that feel too realistic, this documentary features gorgeous cinematography to capture the essence of majesty, grandeur and danger of this mystical landscape. The interviews of the climbers that survive are remarkable, inspiring and incredible that these individuals would embark on such a life threatening adventure. This is a film that should be experienced on the big screen so be sure to catch “The Summit”

Movie Review for The Summit | Phoenix Film Festival

 

365 days and counting!

It is exactly one year before I step back into Himalayan climbing. So what are my plans for the next 365 days?

Simple, I'm going to get uber fit (well 'fitter'). A lot of urban training, a few ultra marathons, one ironman, some freeltics, some gym work, and overall conditioning!

I intend to improve my skills and learn some new ones! I shall be off to the Alps with my mate and guide Mark Walker (see Mark Walker Mountaineering) for some progressive climbing; I've decided to take some rope work qualifications; get down the wall a little more; and improve my bivi cooking skills!

Overall I'm looking forward to it immensely! I'll keep you posted.

 

 

Ten climbers murdered in Pakistan

As news filters in of ten climbers murdered in Pakistan (Nanga Parbat), my thoughts, hopes and dreams that mountaineering transcended boundaries lay ruined.

Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones.

BBC News - Nine tourists shot at north Pakistan mountain base camp

 

The deadliest day on the worlds most dangerous mountain

In a century of assaults on K2, only about 300 people have ever seen the view from the planet's second highest peak. More than a quarter of those who made it didn't live long enough to share the glory, or to tell the tale.

In August 2008, twenty-four climbers from several international expeditions converged on High Camp of K2, the last stop before the summit of the most dangerous mountain on earth. Forty-eight hours later, eleven had been killed or had vanished, making it the worst K2 climbing disaster in history.

(Film directed by Nick Ryan; Image Now Films & Pat Falvey Productions in association with Passion Pictures, Diamond Docs, Fantastic Films, BBC & RTE)

Adrian Hayes on K2

My old Dubai Roadsters buddy and adventurer Adrian Hayes is currently on his way to Pakistan to climb K2.

As Adrian says it took "3 years thinking about it, over a year in planning and preparation and 6 months of specific and frenetic training" (Adrian keeps relatively fit, doing Ironman, climbing Everest, walking to the North and South poles, and kite surfing across Greenland... To name but a few)

"In the World of high altitude mountaineering K2 is probably the greatest challenge of them all; it's risky, the success rate is low and there is no guarantee of reaching its lofty heights. And due to this, in many ways I'd be happy to keep this quiet and just go off and hopefully do it..."

Follow Adrian here... Hayes - K2 Expedition 2013

 

Everest: The world's highest traffic jam

John Kelly explores 'How did Everest get so congested' BBC News - Everest crowds: The world's highest traffic jam