Food for thought

Just saw this quotation on Andy Kirkpatrick's blog this evening, and just found it made me think.

It is not the critic who counts
Nor the man who points out how
the strong man stumbles
Or where the doer of deeds
Could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man
Who is actually in the arena;
Whose face is marred by dust
And sweat and blood;
Who know great enthusiasm,
Great devotion and the triumph
of achievement.
And who, at the worst, if he fails
At least fails while daring greatly -
So that his place shall never be
With those odd and timid souls
Who know neither victory nor defeat.
You’ve never lived until you’ve almost died.
For those who have had to fight for it
Life truly has a flavour
The protected shall never know.

- Theodore Roosevelt
‘Citizenship in a Republic’,
23 April 1910, the Sorbonne, Paris

Full marks to Mr Kirkpatrick for his recent attempt on the Eiger Direct; very inspirational, and his blog (updated daily by iphone from the face!) has been a fascinating insight.

Bon effort!

Expedition Time

Departure for Greenland in T-3 hours!! All the planning and preparation is complete, time to get out there and do it!

Thanks to all who've lent a hand in the preparation...especially my Mum for the official expedition fruit cake.

Check out www.qubgreenland.com for more info.


See you soon.

Dave

Balance

Man, my week in Scotland seems a long time ago now! It was a great opportunity to get away from work and into the hills, both enjoying the tranquility and wilderness, and feeling my psyche and fitness building towards Greenland.

The last week back at work has been super busy, while the rest of my time has had big demands on it putting finishing touches to planning for the expedition. Not for the first time am i noticing the difficulties of balancing physical, psychological and logistical preparation for a challenge.

But, back on daytime shifts now, and the to-do boxes are getting slowly but surely ticked, so time to start focusing back on the training and getting out on the rock. Inside three weeks to departure now, and the photos i've seen of Renland's stunning alpine peaks are occupying more and more of my thoughts.



Right, time for fuel then sleep.

Shores of Loch Linnhe

Good times.

Ash Wall

Over in my home from home in Scotland this week for some holiday time with Hollie/ training in the run up to departure for Greenland in a few short weeks.

Having recovered from my 28 hour day yesterday (just came straight over here off night shift!), we chanced the weather forecast and headed out into the Trossachs to Ben A'an. A beautiful day on the drive looked set to continue as we walked up to the crags, but perhaps a distant rumble of thunder as we geared up should have been a warning.

I'd just reached the belay at the top of Ash Wall, (Severe, 4a**) when the first heavy drops came down, gradually building to a full on hail shower...I think Hol was having a character building experience coming up a now rather slippery slab! Big boots back on and a quick run up to the summit rounded the day off as there wasn't much sign of drying to be had.

A nice climb though, and nice to get back out on Scottish rock.

Definitely psyched.

Late Autumn at the Minnowburn

Arachnid invasion

Well, so much for the second part of the report on my trip to chamonix...how has time passed so quickly?? It was a class trip, let's leave it like that shall we?

Check out this fine specimen that has been sharing my accomodation for the past few days. It's almost like having a pet: