planetFear Articles

Racing in Winter

2012-01-31

You've paid your money and made it to the start line, but the weather is foul. Sound familiar? This guide will give you some advice to help make sure you finish your race and enjoy the challenge of overcoming the elements. It can be really rewarding to survive the worst of the British weather, but it can also be dangerous.

Cerro Standhardt First Ascent Patagonia - Colin Hayley and Jorge Ackerman

2011-12-21

First Acent of the South Face of Cerro Standhardt by Colin Haley and Jorge Ackerman

Colin Haley is becoming a Patagonia local, or maybe has become a Patagonia local. His years of Patagonia expeditions have proved fruitful with first ascents, big solos, and hard repeats. Having climbed in Patagonia myself I know that you have to have a strong heart and will, to return year after year to battle weather, to climb in remote and exposed conditions, and to have patience when the season deals out weather that is constantly bad.

Jorge starting up the first pitch on the south face, mixed climbing up and left, with the summits of Cerro Torre and Torre Egger in the background.

The 2012 PlanetFear Winter Climbing Kit List

2011-12-15

A January Storm clears Mont Blanc: there are few places more alluring to climb than the Alps in winter - Dave Pickford

Winter climbing can be the biggest test your gear can take. With the possibility of numbing cold, ferocious wind, screaming barfies, and attempting to stay dry and warm, one might wonder why we winter climb at all. But for those that test themselves in these conditions the reward can be some of the most exhilarating days out on the hill you'll ever have. Be it lakes mixed rock, alpine summits or Scandinavian ice-falls, the conditions can be as varied as is the range of gear on the market. This list attempts to help with

Top Ten Climbs - The South West

2011-12-01

The South West peninsula of England sticks out into the Atlantic; a rocky spur on the boot shaped island, hewn by the wind and waves that race in from the ocean. This tiny rural corner of a small country houses a diversity of climbing equal to any in the world.
Steep limestone sport climbing rubs against granite bouldering on windswept tors, deep water soloing; and some of the wildest traditional adventures anywhere.

The climbing sits in an ancient land of smuggler's coves, pixie's grottoes and winding lanes. The sea cliffs yield an interesting array of unusual objective dangers; tides, birds, waves, and guano lend an atmospheric edge to the experience of pulling down hundreds of feet above the ocean.

The South West of England is a relatively out of vogue area as far as most UK climbers are concerned, a perceived long journey and sleepier, more scattered crags perhaps keeping many away.
The SW, however, offers a diversity of rock types and climbing

MTB Roots 4 of 6: Going Alpine in the Pennines

2011-09-27

Over the past decade the sport of cycling has seen a huge increase in its number of participants, with more and more people taking to two wheels for commuting, exercise and adventure. The development of trail centres has helped thrust mountain biking to the top of the popularity pile: well maintained trails for all abilities, often with on-site facilities and waymarked routes make getting off-road on a bike easier now than ever. Trail centres have given rise to a new breed of biker who have learnt their sport on the well defined and marked trails of blue and red routes, but also who have never experienced the adventure of a quiet moor or mountain, the solitude and satisfaction that a day in the hills can bring.

Trail centres are fantastic resources but there is a danger that mountain bikers will never really ride ‘mountains' but base their experiences around tamed, manicured trails. Many will remember taking their bike off-road for the first time after