This site is all about the experiences of two ordinary climbers who are fortunate enough to be able to climb in some extraordinary places. Here you can track our adventures through our blogs, videos and photo galleries. Enjoy!
Climbing at Mont Rome, Burgundy
By Gaynor. After several weeks of wet weather (rain, then snow, then rain again) the forecast at the start of the week finally predicted one day that had the potential for some outside climbing. Thursday was the magic day, and it coincided with a blank page in the diary. We monitored the weather all week … Continue reading Climbing at Mont Rome, Burgundy
A scared climbers guide to Fontainebleau
By Gaynor. I do not particularly enjoy bouldering, but I love climbing at Fontainebleau. Those two statements would normally be considered contradictory considering that Fontainebleau is the Mecca for boulderers. But even scaredy cats like me can have a really good time at Fontainebleau. I am not a brave climber. I like to be securely … Continue reading A scared climbers guide to Fontainebleau
Hauteroche and The Grotte du Maquis Bernard
By Jonathan. With temperatures plummeting to a mere 22 C we decided to explore the climbing at Hauteroche, near the medieval town of Flavigny. The crags at Hauteroche enjoy shade early in the day and the surrounding deciduous woodland shelter the base of many of the sectors through much of the day. With over 250 … Continue reading Hauteroche and The Grotte du Maquis Bernard
Climbing in Burgundy – Escaping the heat at Geligny
By Jonathan. Over the past 30 years the popularity of climbing has sky-rocketed. An important trigger for this was the development of sport climbing, which began in France in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Since that time the number of sport climbing destinations has grown exponentially. With a constant stream of new and / … Continue reading Climbing in Burgundy – Escaping the heat at Geligny
A New Adventure
By Gaynor. Summer in Burgundy is hot. Very hot. Sitting at the base of a crag in the shade and it is still 30 degrees Celsius, no wonder I have run out of energy by lunch time! But this is to be our new reality, our new adventure. It is well known that travel can … Continue reading A New Adventure
The importance of 4b
By Gaynor. Pushing yourself to the limit and reaching beyond what you thought possible, striving to achieve new milestones. These are challenges that inspire and motivate us as climbers. But if all our climbing was like that we would never be able to warm up and we would burn out quickly, both in our daily … Continue reading The importance of 4b
Climbing at Stanhope Quarries, Co Durham, UK
By Jonathan. I was born and grew up in County Durham and am now living in Northumberland so I can't pretend to be an impartial observer, but for me the North-east of England is a special place. The scenery tends towards a gentle beauty rather than awe inspiring but at the same time it is … Continue reading Climbing at Stanhope Quarries, Co Durham, UK
The Kindness of Strangers
By Jonathan. Travel allows you to do three things: see new places, experience new things and meet new people. Over the course of our recent journey we have found that the people we met had an incredibly strong impact on the enjoyment we got from the trip. Travel also provides the literal and metaphorical distance … Continue reading The Kindness of Strangers
Bee Positive!
By Gaynor. Firstly, I have to say, beeswax wraps have transformed my crag lunches. Secondly, I am not being paid in any way to endorse, review or promote them. But they really are great! We were given a multi-pack of beeswax wraps for Christmas, and for a couple of weeks they sat in the draw … Continue reading Bee Positive!
Exploring Ephesus
By Gaynor. I have visited and explored a lot of Roman ruins, not just on this trip, but whenever and wherever I get the opportunity. And I have to say that Ephesus (in western Turkey) is different to every other site I have visited. It is often mentioned alongside Pompeii as one of the most … Continue reading Exploring Ephesus
Ordinary Climbers 