Monte Gorzano, the highest point in Lazio

July 27, 2016 Trip reports abruzzo, apennines, hill walking, italy, lazio, monte gorzano, monti della laga, weather 6 Comments

The highest point in Abruzzo was one of our earliest objectives when we started exploring the Apennines. But although we’d done quite a bit of hiking in Lazio we were yet to reach its highest point, so a couple of weekends ago we set out to rectify that

On summit certificates, liaison officers and funny mountaineering rules

July 20, 2016 Opinion and advice bill tilman, himalayan club, himalayan times, himalayas, history of mountaineering, nepal, sherpas, tenzing norgay 3 Comments

The Himalayan Times reported last week that Sherpas who climbed Everest this year will not be receiving summit certificates. Whyever not? Once again I try to shed some light on the bizarre workings of Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism.

Comparing Hillary’s and Tichy’s ascents of Cho Oyu

July 13, 2016 History 8000m peaks, cho oyu, edmund hillary, eric shipton, first ascents, herbert tichy, history of mountaineering, marcus schmuck, pasang dawa lama, tibet 7 Comments

Cho Oyu is generally considered the most achievable 8000m peak for amateurs to climb. Despite this, even the best mountaineers have had difficulties climbing it, and two of the early expeditions there experienced contrasting fortunes.

Monti Ernici: a taste of the Scottish Highlands a short drive from Rome

July 6, 2016 Trip reports apennine 2000ers, apennines, hill walking, italy, lazio, monti ernici, munros, peak bagging, scotland 1 Comment

A couple of weekends ago I visited Monti Ernici, a group of hills little more than an hour’s drive from Rome, that reminded me so much of the Scottish Highlands that I just had to write a blog post about them.