Ibex Performance

Athlete Stories: Will

I’ve known Will since uni and we’ve gone on many ill conceived adventures in the following years. 

Continuing that spirit he was the winner…and solo entrant to a very wet Lanzarote 10k

“Determination to do some form of phys where I can has come from working with ibexperformance over a few years. No there's no photoshopped before and after photos (neither are pretty) but there is an appreciation for Paddy's time and effort to try and keep me on track. Often at distance whilst the Army moves me between bases where the fitness facilities are “varying” to say the least
..

So 10k done. New PB achieved. As Paddy says: you're not competing with anyone but yourself, your goals, your yesterday."

Great work Will! Showing up and putting the effort in is the biggest predictor of success. Progress is rarely linear.

Get psyched. Get out there. Crush it.

📷:A selection from our various outings. 

 

A slightly different day than anticipated

Unfortunately due to high winds the official AMC event was cancelled.

No matter, 25.6kg loaded up, headphones in and awesome shades deployed. I ran from Pen*stone to Denby Dale. 1 hour and 23 minutes in the end, with a few navigational "discrepancies".

Thank you so much to everyone who donated, last time I checked we had reached £1315, an amazing achievement. I will leave the link on my page for any last minute additions.

Keep checking on your mates.

HAPPY MOUNTAIN MONDAY

The lack of signal delayed it then I forgot to post. So, two weeks later so mountain spam from bank holiday weekend. 4 days trying to climb with medium success, but the group t shirts were out and morale was high so it wasn't a total loss.

We pushed the Millennium Kangoo to it's weight limit with 4 people, climbing and camping gear 😅.

Cheers!




 

VERSATILITY

Having a range of options for the UK outdoors is...shall we say prudent.

A trail run is a great wet day activity, it gets you out in the hills and you can go further than hiking.

But packing gear for primary, alternate, contingency and emergency plans can get expansive even on a short weekend trip.

Insert the running belt. Smaller and cheaper than a running vest. Easier to run with than a backpack designed for hiking/climbing.

After perusing the options at .co.uk I found this OMM was the best for me. It fits a wet layer, soft bottle, phone and snacks. Perfect for a longish contingency day out. I've used it up to 30k with no issues. A worthwhile investment for those looking to go further with some kit.

📸: subbed in as photographer on our rainy day trail adventure

Happy Mountain Monday +1

What started out as a promising week of good weather deteriorated by the weekend (naturally). I'm very thankful for North Wales's short walk-ins so we could grab a couple of great routes in between the showers.

Sadly the weather didn't hold out for the wedding we were attending but if we only worried about the weather nothing would get done.

Get psyched
Get out there
Crush it!

📸: Topping out on the Wrinkle, lucked out with the spicy "wobbly jug infested" pitch as the rain came in earlier than anticipated.

THICK THIGHS SAVE LIVES

A few weeks ago leaving Gardoms we came across a trio hobbling along the path. One of them had fallen whilst bouldering and injured their ankle. Seeing they were struggling with carrying and bags, I offered to help. Luckily it was only a few hundred meters of reasonably flat and only a bit boggy terrain. Through a combination of sedan chair and fireman's lifting we got her to the road where she went to hospital.

Even a near roadside crag requires more than just the ambulance service to assist. Self rescue, where appropriate is the preferred option.

As I have posted here before:

"Squatting and hingeing with a barbell should be the cornerstone for anyone who is laiden down. Even a light 10 kilo pack uphill will become tough if you don't have the force in your limbs to shift it."

Being strong is a worthy investment.

The 1 pad circuit

My work hours give me a lot of free time when the crags are quiet. Great for not queuing but not ideal for finding partners.

showed me his volume circuits a few years ago and I am a complete convert. Especially with the erratic weather predicted this summer, squeezing out 30 boulder problems in just over an hour keeps the psyche going.

My recently acquired second-hand organic pad even comes with a little pouch to put the few things I need in.

-Comfy shoes
-Small chalk bag
-Fast and light shoe towel
-Bumbag for keys and phone

I could add a brush if I owned one. But as I've said in previous posts, the idea is repeatable problems to keep moving rather than pulling hard.

Take the opportunities when they come!

Happy Mountain Monday

I kept forgetting to post this.

The smile is only because I have 3 metres left to run. 5:33hrs for the Montane Howgills 26.1300m of elevation was tough, very glad to have had the poles and surprise sun instead of rain storm expected. I'm not sure how long it will be to life forget and decided to do another one 🤣😅

Get psyched, get out there, crush it.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

With 2 cancelled trips and poor conditions on the 3rd it's hard to say I'm not a bit disappointed with the Scottish Winter "season" but it's still been a blast getting outside with good people.

, ,

1: The Runnel S-II (***)
2: The only snow we found on Beinn a' Chaorainn
3: Taking a seat to adjust crampons (again) on Swirral edge
4: Topping out in the sun on The Original Route (Raven Crag, Langdale)
5: Mel having a sit down after trying to climb at Adgen with what we eventually found to be post viral chest infection (glad we didn't get to the Ben)

On to the next adventure!

Whilst on hold with HMRC for what felt like in eternity (66 minutes) I decided to start pulling some the winter gear out of storage.

3 weeks to go!

Multi Day Fuelling

It's getting to that time of year again. Trip details are being finalized and forecasts are being carefully monitored.

To get the most out of back to back big days it's worth looking at how much food and fluid you're able to consume. One day last year allegedly had me using over 5000 calories. Without a plan for refuelling you're going to struggle after a few days. Check out the blog post on Multi Day fuelling for some considerations and tips.

📷: Dave on Sron na Lairig in classic Scottish conditions, day 1 of 6 in Glen coe 2023

Warm up/cool down top order going in this week.

£20

DM to place your order.

📷: showing off all the coordination

Happy Mountain Monday

Charlie took these fantastic photos during my Mountain Leader assessment.

Some engaging weather as always kept me on/off my toes 🤣. Never a disappointment being in the hills, a relief to say we all passed too.

Thanks to Charlie, Dan and my other candidates for making an awesome 5 days.

Get Psyched
Get out there
Crush it

 

Step up. Carry the ropes.

Goggins parodies aside, don't let your fitness slow you down on adventures.

Start lifting and be capable, come join the team players that can take extra for the group when needed.

£15, DM to put your order in.

Happy Friday everyone.

📸: Only a week late. The first batch cool down layers have arrived. Perfect dry layer to pull from the car after a sweaty day in the hills.

 

Happy Mountain Monday

Persistence is tiring but ultimately positive. This season has been a test of will for all of us. It has made me incredibly grateful for even a good half day when it comes.

Chin up and enjoy the good stuff when it comes.

📸: Belay at the top of Rough Crack (VDiff) in the glorious Sunday morning

UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE

4 books that would have passed me by.

Scrolling Audible, I saw Higher Love and recognized Kit DesLauriers name from a North Face doc on YouTube.

Not usually one for skiing books I took a chance. An excellent call, so many takeaways. I have recommended "the game" to so many people since.

My recommended section pushed me to:

Voices of the hills, I've read a few books on fell running but this history of women breaking into the sport was inspiring - Everyone deserves adventure

Solo, just rad. My adventure psych and new destination ideas have peaked since.

Dare to do, there are many incredible endurance feats that have been made into books. But this human powered circumnavigation of the globe is ridiculous. The energy to stay tied into the multi year project boggles my mind.

All amazing. All worth reading

Happy Mountain Monday +1

An Amazing weekend of trail running in the Peak followed by a Lake district dash Sunday and Monday.

The weather sucked and my roll mat got a puncture night 3...

But...This landscape is amazing and the company is what makes any trip. Despite the tiredness and poor predicted weather we had a punt at Napes Needle and Needle ridge. The Needle is an amazing part of history (claimed as the first ever recorded rock climb). The ridge was a much needed long mountain route. All in all, excellent.

Have a great week! 🤙

📷: Slower morning selfie, wind battered the tent and sleeping on a rope sounds like a good story but is not amazing at the time

Something we all need reminding of from time to time.

Thanks .munro2403
For this epic picture.

Basically the same as:

Get psyched.
Get out there.
Crush it.

 

Happy Mountain Monday!

I'd tentatively say that outdoors is happening increasingly.

Hope everyone is having a great time outside. If not, don't worry, more is coming.

📷 Was kind enough to take this belter and send across. Gargoyle Flake VS 4c, phenomenal. Looking forward to leading it on my next trip there.

SUMMER MERCH

After the unexpected success of the long sleeve training layers, I've ordered a prototype wicking layer. Having deemed the quality to minimum ibex standards, the order can be placed.

Excusing the weird lighting on this photo there are 21 interesting colours to choose from.

£17.5, drop me a message for colour and sizing options.

Have a great Friday and weekend!

 

Happy Mountain Monday (+1)

I hope you all got to take advantage of the great weather. If not, they'll be more.

Get psyched.
Get out there.
Crush it.



📷: CJ snap this great contrast of rock and sky on the 2nd pitch of Wrinkle Tower Mod 3*

BOO BOO KIT and other travel friends

Being on the road is great, being on the road ill is not. Having a compact booboo kit to get you through the 24 hours will take the edge off things.

It only takes one time of flying not at your best or an unbelievably long bus journey to become a convert.

Painkillers, Imodium, antihistamine, decongestant, rehydration + plasters (blister and normal) are a good start

Tissues and a snack can only improve a situation

Other bits I rarely leave without:

-Small battery as we need phones for so many booking numbers and codes
-Head torch for those hard to find accomodations
-Stuff sack pillow for really long delays

I've carried more and less but usually this is the obvious

What do you swear by for travel days?

With conditions starting to thin for the year, we turn to the next challenge.

Happy Mountain Monday!

📷: Packing up to descend from Dorsal Arête (II) probably Dave's best photo to date.

Happy Mountain Monday 🏔️

Still cannot get over how good a day we got. Makes the 0100 start time feel slightly less painful.

📷: Stob Coire Sgreamhach

 

IT'S RARELY NOT WORTH IT

Happy Mountain Monday

📷: Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich
(Valley of the 5 Polish lakes)