Old Man of Hoy: Come join me

Mark Reeves — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:38:21 +0000

A couple of years ago I set out from Llanberis and made a pilgrimage that was for me one of the best short trips of my life. Having quested half way round the world in search of classic rock climbing, I have ticked some of the worlds best rock climbs. The Old Man of Hoy is one of the few routes that has managed to remain in my favourite routes of all time.

The first time I climbed it was quite by accident, as I was working one day with a paddler, and we both had 4 days off. A mission to drive up and climb it was hatch over a cup of tea, and tat 7pm we headed off north. By 9pm the next day we were stood on the top of the Old Man of Hoy. We were extremely lucky with the weather, and on our way back ticked off the Old Man of Stoer. Above is a video of the trip.

I have just recieved a text from a friend who is keen to head up there this summer, we have set the dates, and a small team of my best friends, those people you see in my photos, are heading up. I have checked with them and they are happy to have a couple of people along on the trip to enjoy this summit of a lifetime. The dates are 8th to 12th June, if you are interested the route climbs up a 200m high sandstone sea stack, the crux is an traverse into an E1 off-width crack, as such you need to be very happy on that grade and I will want to know the routes you have lead/seconded recently as a form of vetting. I am sorry but this is a route of a serious nature.

The cost will be £600 per person, and several of these days may well be sat around waiting for the weather. We can arrange to pick you up anywhere between North Wales and The North-East tip of Scotland. Accomodation will be in either the bunkhouse, tent or Bothy (The tent might be useful if we climb the route quickly and need to head south rock climbing through Scotland!), and you will enjoy my great homecooking.

This is a climbing trip where you will be guided up routes rather than an instructional or coaching course.

Ultra Run for an Ultra Good Cause

Mark Reeves — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:15:00 +0000

I received an email today from Shane Ohly, about his latest project. Shane has been associated with many crazy capers, several years ago now he complete 500 extreme routes on grit in a day. Which was an amazing effort, one that won’t be repeated that often that’s for sure. For a reasonable amount of time now Shane has been competing in adventure races and long or Ultra distant running challenges. No more so challenge than the infamous Ramsay Round.

Named after the first person to successfully complete the run in 24 hours Charlie Ramsay. The route is 63 miles long and has 30000 feet of ascent and descent, and covers some of the most rugged, remote and challenging terrain Scotland has to offer. Now imagine trying to complete this challenge non-stop in winter conditions, and that’s what Shane is putting himself up against in order to raise some money for cancer research.

His choice of charity lies close to his heart, having recently had his mother taken from him through breast cancer.Having several close friends that have been affected in similar ways by this awful desease, and supporting the charity through the ‘Pink Parties’ at the Gallt Y Glyn, along with many other friends. If you’d like to help support Shane in reaching his goal then you can visit his just giving page here. If you would like to know more about shane challenge than there is an online article about the last time he attempted the challenge.

Photo: Shane on Manimal F6b+, just after it was re-eqipped, vivian quarry

Life in the Vertical » charity run

Old Man of Hoy: Come join me

Ultra Run for an Ultra Good Cause