Today after getting back from Canoeing and camping we decided to go for a climb. We were heading up to Scotland later so Emma and I opted for some quick routes at Shepard's Crag. We started off on Brown Slabs Arete (VD) and then put a top rope on a route to the right. We then went over to Jackdaw Ridge (D) and Emma did a few reps up the first pitch.

Today Emma and I decided to avoid the Bank Holiday crowds and headed up the East Ridges of Nethermost Pike above Patterdale. It was never difficult and I feel it would be great under full winter conditions but it was worth it keeping away from the 'ant highway' on Striding Edge. From the summit we headed down to Grisedale Tarn and back to Patterdale. Later on we had a BBQ on the beach of Ullswater and then canoed down the lake and camped for the night.

Today I jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet. I had wanted to do this for a long time and I wasn't disappointed. After a quick breifing it was into the plane and strapped to my skydive instructor. At 10,000 the door flew open and we launched ourselfs into the sky. We freefell for quite a while before the parachute opened a 5,000ft and we glided back to the ground. Can't wait to do it again.

Today Emma and I had a Walk up Aonach Mor. We only had a couple of hours so we didn't go too far. Its such a great place for views over Fort William.

I'm currently up in Scotland so I had to spend at least one day on Ben Nevis. I met up with Graham and as it was a bit damp in the morning we decided to go Scrambling. Graham hadn't climbed Observatory Ridge so we headed up this. We had the whole ridge to ourselves and soloed the whole route. On the summit we had already decided we wouldn't go down the tourist route so we down climbed Tower Ridge, passing only one team. A great combination on the North Face.

The last two day's Dave and I have been playing on some steep Yorkshire limestone. Yesterday we climbed at Malham Cove which most people know from their geography field trip! We were there for the climbing instead of the educational factor. Dave knows the crag very well which is handy as he forgot his guidebook, but we went on and climbed a 7a, 7a+, 7b and then another 7a+. By the end of this we were both pretty tired so we retired to the bar.

Day two we went to Kilnsey. A crag I have never been to but one Dave knows very well. We were still tired from the day before so we started on a 6c+, then 3 7a+'s led on to aching forearms! Lots of other climbers out today, they all seemed to be locals and all climbing around 8a-8c!

This afternoon Graham and I met up for a couple of routes before he headed home in Scotland. As we only had a short amount of time we went to a busy Shepard's Crag in Borrowdale. We avoided the crowd's on Little Chamonix by heading up to Climb The Black Icicle (E1 5b). Its an excellent route with a great second pitch, felt very exposed as it was very run out. We scrambled back down and Graham led up the first pitch of Monolith Crack (HVS 4c) and I took over and led up Porcupine (E3 6a), another great line. Unfortunately Graham had to shoot off but there is plenty more to do here.

This evening Graham and I headed to Gouther Crags, near to where I grew up. Graham started off on The Fang (MVS 4a) which is such an ace line, I had done it before but was happy to do it again. After a walk down I led up Sostenuto (HVS 5a) which I think was even better than The Fang despite the large amount of bird poo we had to climb over. Getting up to this crag in the evenings is really worth it. Some really quality routes o do across the grades. Only the E3's to do now.