Crib Goch

Scrambling on Crib Goch, Snowdon, Wales

© 2011 Darren DeRidder

Llyn Llydaw

Crib Goch and Llyn Llydaw, Snowdonia, Wales, UK

© 2011 by Darren DeRidder

Crib Goch and Llyn Llydaw

Crib Goch and Llyn Llydaw, Snowdonia, Wales

© 2010 Darren DeRidder.

Piz Balzet

Iain Williams climbing the South Ridge of Piz Balzet in Albigna, Switzerland.

©2008 Photo by Darren DeRidder

d'Escha at Day's End

Dusk from the Chamanna d'Escha.

©2008 Photo by Darren DeRidder

Aguille du Midi Traverse

Climbers descend from the Aguille du Midi, Chamonix, France.

©2008 Photo by Darren DeRidder

Vadret de Portabella

Crossing the upper Vadret de Portabella below the summit of Piz Kesch in the Rhaetian alps.

©2008 Photo by Darren DeRidder

Stairway to Heaven

The famous Biancograt, Piz Bernina.

©2008 Photo by Darren DeRidder

Vadret Pers

Diavolezza and the Pers glacier from Bovalhutte, Morteratsch in the Engadine.

©2008 Photo by Darren DeRidder

Albigna Slabs

Slab climbing above the water, Albigna, Switzerland.

©2008 Photo by Darren DeRidder

South Ridge

Mt. Victora, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

August 2007. Photo by Darren DeRidder.

Refuge

Abbot Pass, Alberta-BC border, Yoho National Park, Canada.

August 2007. Photo by Darren DeRidder.

Hidden Gem

Lake MacArthur and Mount Hungabee, Yoho National Park, Canada.

August 2007. Photo by Darren DeRidder.

Mountain Pass

The Death Trap, Abbot Pass on the Continental Divide, BC and Alberta, Canada.

August 2007. Photo by Darren DeRidder.

Lake O'Hara.

It is time for an update. I've been away in the Canadian Rockies, spending a week at Lake O'Hara to do mountaineering. In the end, we didn't get to the top of anything other than Mt. Schaffer (in the picture). The weather wasn't great, and the night we spent at the Abbot Pass hut between Mts. Victoria and Lefroy left about two feet of fresh powder snow all over everything; climbing Victoria was out of the question. Ironically it was a lack of snow on Mt. Huber that put us off. Having been on Huber a few times, I decided not to go the last few pitches to the summit. My partners Markus and Marcel attempted it, but found the last section impassable. At least I felt my judgement was confirmed.

Since the climbing trip, Aura has gone out a few times. Unfortunately, one of those times we tore the Genoa. It's now in need of a major repair. I've purchased sail thread, needles, and a leather sail-makers palm (so you don't stab yourself). I'm working up the courage to attempt the repair. My knowledge of sewing is quite limited. Okay, its zero.

Also in the repair department, whilst flying the spinnaker with Jimmy last Tuesday, we went onto a beam reach, swung the pole ahead, and somehow broke the hook on the end of the spinnaker guy. I have no idea how this is possible, but it broke clean off at the swivel, so the sheet is in need of a new hook and what looks like some tricky rope lashing technique to reattach it all. I thought I'd be writing here about major improvements to my boat, but so far it's all been minor upkeep... it's a lot of work! Fortunately, it's also a lot of fun!