Before returning to Uni

After having returned home from America I spent a short time at home where I actually managed to get out kayaking once at Bournemouth Pier surf kayaking, it was very strange and the first time in a long while I had been paddling on the sea, it was awesome. The waves at the pier ranged between 3-5ft. Mat and I had picked a great day to go out. Managed to catch some good waves and then usually ended up getting whipped out which was great for practicing my roll in moving water in a relatively safe environment I.e where I'm not going to smash my face in... again. However I did manage break one of my GoPro attachments, how I do not know.

Following my time at home I then ventured forth In my expensive go-kart to West Snowdonia, Wales. To again meet Mat and spend the next two days camping and walking based out of the Ogwen Valley. The third day was spent climbing in the morning then kayaking in the afternoon. We paddled a section of the River Dee. I did well on this grade III descent no swims, one roll, at Town Falls when everyone was watching. That afternoon got me reacquainted to wearing clothes again whilst paddling as had spent the last fourteen weeks paddling in just boardshorts, BA and lid.

The next two days were what our trip was all about, Pyranha Fest 2012! From last year i have definitely improved my boating. This year again on the Tryweryn, I felt a lot more comfortable giving it a good effort and making a lot more eddies then last year, a few rolls and only one swim on the last quick run of the weekend. Now I've got my car I should be able to also keep getting out (whilst doing my work, dad) and keep my ability up and hopefully get some more footage of my adventures. Looking forward to the uni year ahead.

Yeeeeehhhhaaarrrrr

I've spent the last few days securing my visa for working in the USA. I should now be able to work out there over the summer now. Super excited.

My friend also finished editing his film this week that I helped film. A film about how Miles Hickey is dealing with being diagnosed with cancer and his adventures in the outdoors. The film is on Youtube at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwd9xJ60AXU&feature=youtu.be&a

Broken

On a personal level I've had a eventful past week. I firstly managed to get out kayaking on three occasions the later resulting in a broken nose on Friday 20th. I managed to take a smiley picture when I was checking my teeth were all there, which they are. It was then my 21st Birthday which was excellent. The morning after my 21st I was filming Adam Hocking, one of the UK's top rock climbers with university. I was still quite wobbly when dangling on ropes on the crag but it quickly cleared my hangover. We also spent some time setting up and using a tyrolean traverse. Haven't seen any of that footage yet. Then on Thursday 26th I had a check up appointment at the hospital to decide the fate of my nose. I then ended up having an operation that night resulting in me staying over. I then had further operation the following day to try and sort my nose and returned home in the evening with vital painkillers.

Return to Uni

A bit behind but I returned to uni on the 8th of January to ice-climbing, mountaineering, ice axe breaking and all that other dull stuff you have to do normally.

I tested out my GoPro in the chilly weather we had for three days up in the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland. The highlight of the three days was constantly being told by our leader Stuart from climb365, "don't fall now else you will die". This encouragement made it an incredibly exhilarating few days. Below is a photo captured on my GoPro after having climbed up one of the snow filled gullys which was about 350m high at plus 60degrees.

*New Video* Portland Time

A quick video i put together using windows live movie maker, its nowhere near as good as the old normal windows movie maker. The video is about Ducky, Gorman and my time on Portland. Most of it is not actual climbing and as i was busy getting the photos in my last post rather then video thats next year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUAaJtUNjXY&feature=youtu.be

Portland Time

The 26th-28th April was Ducki, Gorman and my climbing trip to Portland for some sport, dws and a small bit of trad climbing. I used this time to get shots for my uni coursework article. The climbing and camping was awesome as we had superb weather. Here are the pictures from Portland that I submitted for my work.

Climber Magazine

I received an email this morning making me aware of a comment left by one of CLIMBER magazines staff asking for the full resolution image of an image I put up on their website for potentially Readers Photo of the Month. That would be nice achievement. Link to the post bellow.

http://www.climber.co.uk/gallery/picture.asp?loginsuccess=1&reurl=&url=&id=7043&loginemail=amccue@gmail.com&text=&addcom=

Shepherds Crag

Wednesday I went along to take photos and video of Mike and Tom.K attempting to lead E3 route, Battering Ram. They got to the second belay point then had to detour up an easier route. So a fail for their first attempt. After getting down they had a go at soloing another part I think it was called Pinnacle something.

Climbing Practical Day

Our final climbing practical day was spent at Shephards Crag near Keswick. Throughout the day we rigged up some abseils then we all climbed up Little Chamonix which took longer then expected then took photos of people top roping the last section. These were the best three photos from the day. It was very foggy making the pictures seem over exposed in the sky. A really enjoyable day the pictures would have been amazing if it had been clear.

This last picture is quite good one for summarising our course, laying and hanging about!

Lack of Transport and Favourable Weather

The past week i have found it hard to get out anywhere to go climbing and get pictures or have fun. Yesterday managed to get up a small hill overlooking most of Ullswater lake with friends. I managed to get a good panoramic shot and it will be up on here soon.

Today with the uni it was forecast to rain on our climbing practical. So we sheltered in Keswick Climbing Wall an used their facilities to learn how to set up our own abseils and ascend and descend a rope safely. Managed to take a load of photos from the top of the climbing wall but nothing that great at all.

*i feel let down by this post, nothing has happened that great to put up on here*

*New Video* Torch Journey

Check out the link below for a short video on a day out in the hills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqLyDzHwUkU

Shepherds Crag Climbing

This afternoon i went to Shepherds Crag with the lads. Was a great short day, we had to scramble/climb up past the normal climbing area to a less used rock face. Had great view which gave me the opportunity to try and get a decent panoramic shot for my coursework.