Tickle Him Under There

4-2-89 Testa d' Arp

  30-7-90 Aiguille du Midi  1-8-90 Mont Blanc, Dôme du Goûter, Aiguille du Goûter 9-8-90 Montagne St. Michel, Tuchan Kador, Roc Trévézel
  11-8-90 Roc de Toullaëron 25-7-92 Zugspitze  28-7-92 Wildspitze 1-8-92 Gross Venediger 4-8-92 Grossglockner, Kleinglockner 25-10-94 Skala, Skolio
  28-10-92 Acropolis 29-7-95 Capitoline Hill, Palatine Hill 2-8-95 Vesuvius 26-7-96 Wisshorn 28-7-96 Mettelhorn 31-7-96 Klein Matterhorn, Breithorn
  1-8-96 Unterrothorn, Oberrothorn 13-8-96 Gumachi 16-8-96 Peak near Syltran Pass 13-8-97 Gumachi 16-8-97 Peak near Syltran Pass 20-8-97 Elbrus
  25-4-00 Vaalserberg 30-7-00 Gubalowka 31-7-00 Giewont 2-8-00 Rysy 3-8-00 Nosal, Sarnia Skala 2-8-01 Galdhøpiggen, Svellnosi, Keilhaus topp
  3-8-01 Glittertind 9-8-01 Fløyen 26-7-02 Mulhacén 27-7-02 Pico Veleta 8-9-03 Snezka 9-9-03 Praded 13-9-03 Gerlachovsky Stit 3-9-04 Etna
  9-9-04 Monte Chirica 10-9-04 Vulcanello, La Fossa di Vulcano 11-9-04 Monte Fossa delle Felci 5-2-05 Aconcagua 21-9-05 Vignemale
  24-9-05 Pico de Aneto 27-9-05 Pic de Coma Pedrosa 5-10-06 Semaforo, Punta Malrepos, Torre Della Pegna
  9-10-06 Bruncu Spina, Punta Paulinu, Punta su Sciusciu, Punta La Màrmora 10-10-06 Punta Argentiera 7-9-07 Monte Cinto 11-9-07 Capo Rosso
  22-4-08 Sa Talaia 24-4-08 Massanella 26-4-08 Talaia d' Alcudia, Puig de Romani, Penya Rotja 24-9-08 Psiloritis 21-4-09 Monte Toro, S' Enclusa
  22-4-09 Santa Agueda 3-5-10 La Mola (Sa Talaiassa) 29-9-10 Atalaya de Femés, Montaña Roja 1-10-10 Montaña Pedro Barba (La Aguja Grande)
  4-10-10 Montaña Corona 7-10-10 Montaña de la Caldera 8-10-10 Hondo (Calderon Hondo) 10-10-10 Pico de la Zarza 11-10-10 La Atalayita
 13-10-10 Montaña Tindaya 17-2-11 Pico de Bandama 18-2-11 Roque Nublo Plateau, Pico de las Nieves 20-2-11 Dogellada de Aguas Sabinas (col)
 2-5-11 Le Mont Saint Michel 10-5-11 Cap Blanc-Nez, Cap Gris-Nez 16-9-11 Conde 17-9-11 Montaña Amarilla 19-9-11 Malpasito, Montaña Roja
 20-9-11 Teide cablecar top station 22-9-11 Guajara 25-9-11 Garajonay 20-2-12 Volcán San Antonio (Trig Point), Volcán Teneguia 21-2-12 Roque de los
Muchachos, Pico de la Fuente Nueva, Pared de Roberto, Pico de la Cruz 23-2-12 Pico Birigoyo 24-2-12 Pico Bejenado 25-2-12 Cumbrera 5-9-12 Sa Talaisa (Sa Talaia) 7-9-12 Sa Torreta (Furnas, Es Fornas, Puig d'en Forns) 10-9-12 Puig de Missa 28-2-13 Morro do Furado, Pedras Brancas 2-3-13 Pico
Ruivo (Pico Ruivo de Santana), Teixeira 6-3-13 Penha de Aguia (Eagle Rock) 7-3-13 Pico Ruivo do Paul (Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra, Ruivo do Paul).
25-8-13 Minaun, 26-8-13 Slievemore, 28-8-13 Nephin, 31-8-13 Croagh Patrick, 3-9-13 Dun Araan, 5-9-13 Knocknarea, Illaunmore, 19-2-14 Montaña
Atalaya (Pico de Betancuria) (Two summits), 20-2-14 Pico Alto, Gran Montaña (and subsidiary summit), Morro Jorlado, 23-2-14 Carbón (Montaña Carbón),
25-2-14 Attempt on Cardón (Montaña Cardón), Minor summit north of Cardón, 19-3-15 Montaña Blanca, 20-3-15 Montaña Corona, 21-3-15 Pico Redondo,
Pico Aceituna, 23-3-15 Los Helechos (and subsidiary summit), La Quemada, 24-3-15 Guanapay, Montaña Negra, 30-10-15 Papoutsa, Mount Olympos
(Chionistra) (by car), 1-11-15 Headland at Kourion, 2-11-15 Adelfi (and 3 associated summits), Madari, 3-12-17 Cardon South Summit, Pico Galera, 4-12-17
Montaña Colorada
  All above climbed by Gene
  The following climbed by Diane
  30-7-90 Aiguille du Midi  9-8-90 Montagne St. Michel, Tuchan Kador, Roc Trévézel 11-8-90 Roc de Toullaëron 25-7-92 Zugspitze 
  25-10-94 Skala, Skolio 28-10-92 Acropolis 29-7-95 Capitoline Hill, Palatine Hill 2-8-95 Vesuvius 25-4-00 Vaalserberg 30-7-00 Gubalowka
  31-7-00 Giewont 2-8-00 Rysy 3-8-00 Nosal, Sarnia Skala 2-8-01 Galdhøpiggen, Svellnosi, Keilhaus topp 9-8-01 Fløyen 26-7-02 Mulhacén
  27-7-02 Pico Veleta 8-9-03 Snezka 9-9-03 Praded 13-9-03 Lomnicky Stit  3-9-04 Etna 9-9-04 Monte Chirica 10-9-04 Vulcanello, La Fossa di Vulcano
  24-9-05 Tuc dera Escaleta 27-9-05 Pic de Coma Pedrosa 14-6-06 Pachamama, Pachatata 23-6-06 Wayna Picchu 5-10-06 Semaforo, Punta Malrepos,
Torre Della Pegna 9-10-06 Bruncu Spina, Punta Paulinu, Punta su Sciusciu, Punta La Màrmora 10-10-06 Punta Argentiera 11-9-07 Capo Rosso
22-4-08 Sa Talaia 24-4-08 Massanella 26-4-08 Talaia d' Alcudia, Puig de Romani, Penya Rotja 21-4-09 Monte Toro, S' Enclusa 22-4-09 Santa Agueda
  3-5-10 La Mola (Sa Talaiassa) 29-9-10 Atalaya de Femés, Montaña Roja 1-10-10 Montaña Pedro Barba (La Aguja Grande)
  4-10-10 Montaña Corona 7-10-10 Montaña de la Caldera 8-10-10 Hondo (Calderon Hondo) 10-10-10 Pico de la Zarza 11-10-10 La Atalayita
 13-10-10 Montaña Tindaya 17-2-11 Pico de Bandama 18-2-11 Roque Nublo Plateau, Pico de las Nieves 20-2-11 Dogellada de Aguas Sabinas (col)
  2-5-11 Le Mont Saint Michel 10-5-11 Cap Blanc-Nez, Cap Gris-Nez 16-9-11 Conde 17-9-11 Montaña Amarilla 19-9-11 Malpasito, Montaña Roja
  20-9-11 Teide cablecar top station 22-9-11 Guajara 25-9-11 Garajonay 20-2-12 Volcán San Antonio (Trig Point), Volcán Teneguia 21-2-12 Roque de los
Muchachos, Pico de la Fuente Nueva, Pared de Roberto, Pico de la Cruz 23-2-12 Pico Birigoyo 24-2-12 Pico Bejenado 25-2-12 Cumbrera 5-9-12 Sa
Talaisa (Sa Talaia) 7-9-12 Sa Torreta (Furnas, Es Fornas, Puig d'en Forns) 10-9-12 Puig de Missa 28-2-13 Morro do Furado, Pedras Brancas 2-3-13 Pico
Ruivo (Pico Ruivo de Santana), Teixeira 6-3-13 Penha de Aguia (Eagle Rock) 7-3-13 Pico Ruivo do Paul (Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra, Ruivo do Paul,)
25-8-13 Minaun, 26-8-13 Slievemore, 28-8-13 Nephin, 31-8-13 Croagh Patrick, 3-9-13 Dun Araan, 5-9-13 Knocknarea, Illaunmore, 19-2-14 Montaña
Atalaya (Pico de Betancuria) (Two summits), 20-2-14 Pico Alto, Gran Montaña, Morro Jorlado, 23-2-14 Carbón (Montaña Carbón), 25-2-14 Attempt on
Cardón (Montaña Cardón), Minor summit north of Cardón, 19-3-15 Montaña Blanca, 20-3-15 Montaña Corona, 21-3-15 Pico Redondo, Pico Aceituna,
23-3-15 Los Helechos (and subsidiary summit), La Quemada, 24-3-15 Guanapay, Montaña Negra, 30-10-15 Papoutsa, Mount Olympos (Chionistra) (by car),
1-11-15 Headland at Kourion, 2-11-15 Adelfi (and an associated summit), Madari, 3-12-17 Cardon South Summit, 4-12-17 Montaña Colorada
  The following climbed by Martin
  30-7-90 Aiguille du Midi  9-8-90 Montagne St. Michel, Tuchan Kador, Roc Trévézel 11-8-90 Roc de Toullaëron 25-7-92 Zugspitze 
  25-10-94 Skala, Skolio 28-10-92 Acropolis 29-7-95 Capitoline Hill, Palatine Hill 2-8-95 Vesuvius 21-9-05 Vignemale 24-9-05 Pico de Aneto
  27-9-05 Pic de Coma Pedrosa 30-9-05 Pico Mondarruego 14-6-06 Pachamama, Pachatata 23-6-06 Wayna Picchu
  Italics indicate significant use of cable-car, lift etc.

Not The Rock

  Cumbria rained grey all the way to Athens touch-down.. …and Litohoro rain?…grey! ‘94’s flooded Greece, whither they’d flown, (D’s first jet), for The Marathon, decked Olympus in early white. Shut hut and crampon lack meant nippy night’s bivvy and no footing for final feet, but they did imprint Skolio snow, Skala too…D’s most memorable? Poss…or is Etna better? Wayna Picchu? Deffo not The Rock. D went to Gib and didn’t climb it!
  Wildspitze, special as first Alpine solo, saw fall survivor G an involuntary contortionist, evidenced by crampon spike entry point pre inner-thigh-long bloody gash. G’s foot, unlike D’s hand, won’t normally go anywhere near the spot!

Don't 4 get 2 scroll

Not What’s On The Card

  Dilemma of Pub Quizzers at mercy of dodgy Question Setters: risk correct answer, or
  incorrect near cert. on the card? “What’s the second highest mountain in….?” Iffy as a six quid note, likely ends “Britain”, or “Europe”, with barmy answers “Snowdon” and “Mont Blanc” chucked in, the latter recognising, at least, that if Europe were disclagged from Asia, the bit with Caucasus goes west.
  G’s into mountains, not gear. Reasons: (a) mountains more interesting, (b) posh gear requirement to offset crapitude of G, (c) G unrich and tight anyway…all 3 to infinite degree…so ‘90’s Mont Blanc ascent was cheap. G set off on his tod in Binsey boots with a polythene bag in which to bivvy kip in Goûter’s back garden. Met young lads with similar “plan”, pioneered 2 ft thick polystyrene igloos courtesy of unfinished Goûter extension lining, then roped up to find a plastic cactus on Western Europe’s top summit.
  Eastward Elbrus…a case of “Not what’s in the brochure“. Trekking companies’ acclimatisation progs are fine, but frustrating post 10 days’ faffing in the sun, if gloom descends on summit day, as in ‘96. Almost made it, but expected second go went out of Prijut Hut window. Russian guides hadn’t read brochure! Complaints led to offers of 10% return, accepted by all but G, who insisted on 2nd go and got it by working his keep. ‘97’s same acclimatisation prog saw Gumachi become G’s only foreign mountain climbed twice, (13-8-96, 13-8-97), followed by a cactusless Elbrus, a kipping volcano. A lot higher than Etna too, so, Pub Quizzers…Europe’s highest volcano? …mm…What’s on the card?

Do Try For Me Argentina

  camps, head for home! Simple? Yes. Easy? No.
  Requirements threefold: 1 Desire, 2 Fitness, 3 Conditions. Gene had plenty of 1, at 62 less 6 days, just enough of 2, no control at all over 3. Arrival in Mendoza saw dejected returnees airport-bound. Refugees streaming into Puente del Inca..only about 2 saw the summit. Horrific tales..sleepless nights in sub-sub-zero temperatures. Weather says whether!
  4 snowy Base Camp acclimatisation days, then the sun shone. G was going to be lucky, the totally non-technical ascent a stroll in the park, allowing for excruciatingly exhausting 1 km a day pace in miserly thin air. Even so, in perfect conditions, only 8 of a 19 strong party made it. G last to top.
  Multinational, the party included David and Robert, young Britons who’d opted for longer acclimatisation at Base Camp, greeting G with, “Wait till you see Ellie!” plainly referring to feminine attributes rather than correct spelling of their guide’s name. Seems they’d pole-vaulted their way up the valley.
  Also in the group, André, G’s tent mate, not the sort to snuggle up to, despite pressure from lack of temperature to do so. 2 things, 1 obvious, bugging André. For “Canada” on dit “Quebec”, (n’est-ce pas?), and a woman. G took a while to sus-out the woman, whom André, 67, still going strong, had just met. André didn’t like “Canada” but liked Plaza Canada less. After slogging all day to High Altitude Camp 1 to tent pitch, suddenly decided to go home and was guided down.
  G hoped she was worth it, but half empty tents..dangerous! Chief guide, Cacho, strode over to G’s, near where David and Robert had erected theirs, (tent), to say so. “You’ll have to sleep with Eli!” Envy wasn’t in it as 2 incredulous young jaws fell and G flashed the briefest smug grin in their direction. Just as satisfying writing now as saying then, “I’m sleeping with Eli tonight.” ..G did for 3 days. What happened in “our tent”? If Eli says anything it will be in Spanish. G is saying nowt in any language, except to report a snuggle-up factor increase and to note ..André’s departure made G the oldest summiteer, (by miles!)
  Training saw ascents of Binsey and Skiddaw in ridiculous garb; shorts and huge, plastic Aconcagua boots, testing for the purpose of, then ascents in more conventional ridiculous garb. Skiddaw summit yielded a 5p coin for G’s pocket prior to its Equator crossing and Binsey, last hill pre-big one, added a small summit stone, Buenos Aires arrival’s immediate find..a small Argentinean coin. Aconcagua summit allowed access on G’s day, and glove removal too, enabling G to safely deposit 2 coins and a Binsey stone. Priority on returning home…Replace missing Binsey stone with one from Aconcagua’s top.
  All 4 objects, lodged deep in crevices, likely to be there for some time.