Saas Fee Ice Climbing World Cup, Car Parks and Ice Climbing?

Goodbye France hello Switzerland, driving out of Chamonix we were all talking of how sad we were to be leaving, as we climbed higher in to the mountains thoughts soon turned to swiss chocolate pyramids, purple cows, fondue and maybe even some ice climbing. As soon as we crossed the border we were winding down the switch backs, endless views unfolding before us, the hills were certainly alive with the sound of music,  a mix of the cinematic overtones of Jonsi and laughter. 

As we descended our way to the valley floor, and were guided forward by the looming hills either side of us, our prehistoric map disintegrating in my hands with every fold and slight breeze, we knew we had to be on the right track. A quick stop to try the little German I know, a handy phrase usefull for most

  situations,"Ich bin ein Schlumpf ", and to

confirm our suspicions that indeed we were

on the right road to Saas Fee. Before we 

knew it old faithful Beatnick, our van and 

home, was climbing hills that soon turned 

in to steep sided mountains, the architecture

becoming more classically swiss, still no 

purple cows though.The excitement 

growing every second, verbalised by our 

quad copter pilot Dale, who literally at one 

point going a little crazy with excitement. 

Soon we arrived in Saas Fee the venue for 

Pete's first climb as a GB team member, 

now at first it seemed to be just a car park

with a stylish multi-storey car park beautifully set in the mountains. 

Not your classic swiss mountain town. Once we parked up and 

realised this was not just a car park but our home for the next few 

nights, we left the van behind we set off to explore the town. 

Nestled behind this multi storey car park we were delighted to find

a dream toy town, a proper ski town, no cars, log cabins left right 

and centre, shops and cafes adorning the fairy lit high street as 

snow gently fell in the background. 

After a coffee, a little organisation, a quick hunt for a cuckoo clock,
getting Pete to the right place, and signing the crew up for press
passes for the next day, we decided to explore the what can only be 
described as sculpture like structure, adorning the inside of the 
spiralling car ramp. A mix of granite, ice and wood, formed to  test
willing climbers. This was like abstract visual pornography 
to us, the film makers and 
photographers, with man made 
access to every level and angle. So 
with a certain amount of excitement 
brewing we decided to try get some
sleep.

We knew tonight was going to be 
cold and, was probably going to be 
a test of our will power. So with a 
certain looming horror of our first 
night outside in the tent, so Pete 
could grab some sleep the night 
before the comp, we set up the tent 
high in the mountains, surrounded 
by snow capped peaks hidden
 in the night sky.

I would love to tell you the romantic dream continued through the 
night, the mountain god gently singing to us as we slept. 
Unfortunately the truth was a little further from that, we did indeed 
sleep considerably well in the sub zero temperatures, partly due to 
the seventeen layers of clothing, my four season sleeping bag, 
a couple of pain killers for my gammy knee, and probably no doubt,
in part, to the single malt whisky Ben had cleverly stashed in his 
hip flask earlier. That was until the mountain gods got bored and 
decided to whip up a ten minute storm not only outside our tent, but
inside it, and amazingly all the way in to my sleeping bag and 
clothes. Yes, at this point I did almost scream like a girl and woke 
up simultaneously, with Dale in a what could be referred to as a 
flap and panic. The old blizzard in a tent 5.45 wake up call, nothing 
like it! 

We managed to get back to sleep and quickly eight o'clock rolled
around, I decided as chief Panda to provide nourishment, rather 
CHFing expensive nourishment at that, croissants and coffee for me
and the athlete, and a croissant each for the boys to lift spirits. 
Well I am only mentioning this because, as a man with a bad knee 
in and icy town what could go wrong? Yup well this is one occasion
I kinda wish someone did get on camera, coming back to the car 
park, down a reasonable incline for a hobbler, I lost both feet in a 
rather comedy fashion, and of course after the price of these gold 
plated, titanium swiss coffees and croissants, I was not going to 
spill them. And yes there were witnesses to the event so it wasn't 
completely wasted, if a hobbling cripple falls on ice and there are 
people there to see it, they do indeed make a sound, and that sound 
people is laughter. 

After a tasty breakfast in the van it was time

our first competition experience, as we 

arrived at the venue there was already an 
atmosphere of excitement growing. Round 1

for the day was going to be speed climbing, 

Pete and and a few other members of the 

had entered this, now there was no 

expectations as most of them had never been 

speed ice climbing before, a whole different 

ball game, and a completely different

technique. What I would describe as a mix of 

skill and frantic arms and legs, whirling and

working hard, these machine of men flying up 

a ice face in literally seconds. 

Whilst the boys did amazing, and 

to be honest I think surprised themselves and all of us with their 

performance, this round mostly went to the Russians, with a high 

percentage of places in the finals going to the eastern quarter. There 

was no disappointment here just smiles and giggles at the 

experience. We had time now for a little fun with the quad-copter, 

and grab some cut aways for the film of this picturesque town. 

Before we knew it Pete was off to isolation and the qualifiers 

started, great music, commentary, a willing crowd cheering on the 

athletes, and to top it off displays of climbing beyond anything I 

have seen before. Grunts, groans, and god like effort helping get 

some climbers to the top, but as a rule most climbers did not 

complete the course, proving more difficult thank many of them 

and us had anticipated. While the GB team didn't place highly in

this round, it was clear to see they all enjoyed the experience, and 

with positive attitudes, 

and smiles, they all 

looked upon this as a 

great opportunity to 

learn and develop for 

the next round. Again 

there was a level of 

eastern dominance 

here. 

Now as for the crew, we 

all definitely enjoyed the experience, we did a lot dancing and

jigging to keep the chill out our bones, our Lowerpro's working

hard to keep the chill and frost of our camera gear, and on review

of some of the footage it was clear to see some of us suffered in 

arctic like conditions, more than a little camera shake caused by 

vibrating bones and bitter cold. Now the round was over, and a pan

of pasta cooked in melted snow was on the boil, spirits warmed

through the decision was made to leave for Kandersteg, or possibly 

just somewhere lower in the valley to increase our outside 

accommodation by a couple of degrees. Who knew this may prove 

to be a fateful decision.........

Abandonner McFish

No, Abandonner Mc Fish, seems to be the message and metaphor for tonight and maybe the last few days. First of all I would like to apologise for the lack of posts recently, but there has been a series of unfortunate and challenging events that have cropped up and needed some focus and attention. 

Its hard to know where to begin really, since leaving Chamonix we have attended the Ice Climbing World Cup, broken down, slept in the van again, had an indoor-ish snow storm, hiked for numerous miles to find all garages in Switzerland close on Saturdays, been to  one of the most beautiful towns I have seen, or been in a long in a long time Kandersteg, retrieved the supposedly fixed car, had a car fire, returned to Chamonix and much much more. A trip of adulation, enjoyment, companionship, lows, highs, friendships blossoming and strengthening, adversity, triumph, luck and bad luck, adventures unexpected, fun and laughter all wrapped in to what is only nine days so far. 


We are now on car number three, well hire car two, the van is in Switzerland with half our gear and were in France!! We are still on the road to the second round of the Ice Climbing World Cup where Pete is due to climb on Friday, and believe me he is going to get there, it is more a question of what we do next about the van and getting back to England. There is a phrase about lemons and lemonade I think would probably work here, but maybe I will just say for now when you come across an adventure and adversity, you just have to get in the saddle and ride, no matter how tough it seems, a smile and a good outlook on life will get you further than a bitter cup of lemonade. Life is about opportunity and what you take from it, and trust me this trip is already offering us all a lot, not just adventure but personal insight an experience we may never have had without all the trials that we have managed to laugh in the face of. I am privileged to be with the people I am, and happy to be exploring the world and my ideas again, it has challenged me as a person and I cant wait to see what happens next. Keep your eyes peeled for the next few posts, they will be a little back dated but I have been keeping notes and pictures, lets hope I find a few hours to catch myself up in the next few days, fingers crossed. 

Chamonix, The Zoo, and Old Knees

Arriving in the Chamonix valley, winding our way in to the French Alps, our newly fixed and  hard working wiper keeping the road ahead in sight, snow gently falling in the head lights, we were all pretty weary after a long journey. While we couldn’t see the surrounding mountains due to the darkness, it was obvious we had arrived at a higher altitude by the crisp fresh air, and increasing drop in temperature. Even the prospect of being here had already helped lift our spirits, hunger looming Pete had our first destination in mind, Midnight Express, a local burger joint on the high street, I had been promised this would rival any burger I had ever tasted, a lot to live up to. Let me tell you I have had some good burgers on my travels!

Making our way down Chamonix’s main street snow bunnies, and seasonaires awash, I was reminded of my past and time in the mountains, reminiscing down this snowy memory lane, as great as it was I was starving and was soon snapped back in to reality by the tempting smell, emanating from the little shack pumping out good old trance music, I have to say it was a tasty burger, but I am not sure it beats Ferg Burger in Queenstown NZ. Now we also had a little problem by here, this was supposed our first night outside and under the stars, but our man in the know Pete had a plan, unfortunately the camp spot he had in mind was now a ski slope! Luckily a good friend of his called Leanne offered us an amazing place to stay, warm beds, showers and new friends to be made, Indie the adventure dog, and as there always is in ski resorts a whole bunch of ozzies enjoying the snow.

The next morning / afternoon after catching up with some sleep we were all feeling a little fresher and ready to get our adventure officially started, making plans and discussing options we decided it was time to get out the ice axes, dust of the climbing gear and head to The Zoo, one of Chamonix premier dry tooling spots for our first official shoot as part of the project. Due to fading light, and the extra long lie in a few of the team had, this was going to be a night shoot.

As we packed our bags and charged our batteries you could see the Panda’s getting more excited, mirrored by the growing enthusiasm of our two climbers. Throwing all the gear in the trusty van we head down the valley away from Chamonix town, with a quick pit stop at a super market to grab some fuel for the body and mind, we soon arrived in the middle of nowhere pulling up alongside a pile of wood. Pete reliably informing us that it was a short twenty-ish minute walk up the hill, as we unpacked the van we were greeted by what may have at first appeared to be savage dogs, barking and howling, eyes glowing in our head torches like a scene from resident evil.

At first this seemed to be the biggest challenge it soon became apparent that there were other obstacles to overcome, namely finding The Zoo in the dark! 

Well we tramped around up and down hills like The Grand Old Duke of York’s men, eventually splitting in to teams, howling like wolves to communicate in the dark, this was the first sign of trouble with my old knee, but we will come back to that in a minute. After the young guns failed to find our destination it fell to this old fella to have a wander in the woods, well yep send an old cripple to do a boys job and yes it will get done, a quick ten minute hunt and a holla to Pete, we managed to find what we were looking for.

An amazing wall slightly overhung, dripping down on the forest below, but offering us shelter and inviting us in to play. As Jack and Pete got there gear together, the Panda crew got their toys out, Ben setting up the crane, Dale getting out his genie, not to make wishes, but to help dreams come true with awesome night lapsing skills. There is so much I could say about this place but you will just have to wait and see when the film comes out, spoilers after all. Now after all this hiking around and slipping in the mud and leaves, we were pretty tuckered out and honestly ready for bed.

The next morning I was awake before the crew, and with a little glimpse out the window I was invigorated by the super sunshine revealing the majestic mountains, with a skip in my step I was out of bed and ready to take on the day, I grabbed Indie and we headed out for a quick stroll in the sun, I say stroll but it was more of a limp / hobble. For the first time in a long time I felt invigorated, the mountains taking there effect on me, inspiring and humbling, reminding me of my insignificance in the bigger picture, helping me put perspective on just bout everything I have going on right now. I don’t know what it is but the mountains seem to have a magical effect on me, drawing me in and bringing me out all at the same time.

Once I returned from my bimble in the snow with my new friend Indie the dog, I chatted and relaxed with the ozzies, soon joined by the boys. Now we all were keen to do something, but the day was already passing, we all had a few whisky nightcaps the night before so we decided that maybe it was time to check out town and maybe check out my knee in a more professional manner, rather than a curious sideshow. A trip in to town ended in beers and burgers, I mean it was happy hour at Monkey Bar after all. After some debate we decided I best go see the doc and get his opinion on my knee as a unusual bruising had started to develop, now this in itself was a challenge with my pigeon french and his broken english, we finally came to an agreement that it was not looking good and I should probably get, as he put it, a pregnant lady scan, I think he really meant ultrasound, but I like the way he put it so I am adopting it as my own.

While I was glad of the advice and the prescription for some pain killers and a proper knee brace, this soon proved to be an expensive endeavor, and could indeed prove to be yet further costly. On the up side I was enticed in to a back room by two lovely pharmacists who asked me to take my trouser off, I did for a moment wonder what was in store! It was to my relief, or disappointment, I am not sure, it was just a fitting for a new knee brace. Finally and with a sense of relief, I now had a professional medical opinion and we were back on track.

Back to the chalet we had work to do, time for more toys, Dale flying his quad, slider shots and cuts aways checked off, just tine for one more night shot in Chamonix high street, this was as always when filming in public spaces drew a lot of attention but made us feel like rock stars, even though the truth couldn’t really be further from it, with Pete’s modest attitude to his natural talent and athleticism. Our last night in Chamonix, for now, rounded off with a beer and sharing of stories you could really start to feel the group gelling, and working as a team. One last sleep in a warm chalet before the prospect of our first real night in sub zero temperatures, and it was time for the see you later, chows, and goodbyes, back in the van and headed for Switzerland, we were sad to say goodbye, but knew we would be back in a few days after our trip to Saas Fee for the Ice Climbing World Cup. 

Late Nights at The Zoo

Without giving to much away and ruining the next instalment of the Panda adventures here is a little shot from last nights shoot at The Zoo, Chamonix.

An Unexpected Surprise

After what seemed like a remarkably quick 1000 miles, filled with minor mishaps, this little panda forgetting all his socks, stop one to get a map which we forgot to buy due to lack of sleep and need of coffee, so a quick second stop to grab a map and were back underway, what could go wrong? 

Well who knew Pete’s car had acrobatic windscreen wipers! 

That’s right the passenger side wiper decided to dismount from our little house, I would have scored it a high nine for style and execution if it hadn’t been for the 70 mile an hour landing, not clean by any means, and the car that probably hit it, well really ruined the flow. So a little dicing with danger on the side of the French roads to patch up the sharp edge left behind, bit of excitement never goes amiss in the mornings after thirty hours awake, that was now grinding a hole in the windscreen, like they say if you cant duck it fuck it. Now this seemed to be a good quick fix to get us somewhere a little less remote and maybe on to our destination, but after a quick consultation with the rest of the team we decided that with the predicted snow, maybe two wipers were really better than one after all.

So as the some of the party got their heads down for a well needed sleep it was down to Ben and I to make a plan, find a garage, try figure out how to say windscreen wiper in French, and get it sorted so we could get some more continental miles under those wheels, and carry in this expedition to Chaminox. 

This is where our unexpected surprise came in, a quick pit stop in Reims, we thought this might be a nightmare but to our upmost pleasure we quickly came across a quaint typically French looking garage, pulling up to see a spanking new and shiny mustang nestled amongst the dust, grime, bric a brac, and history of this quirky little garage. I quickly jumped out, and was greeted by a beaming smile and soft bonjour from a lovely soft spoken lady.

In my pigeon French and with a little help from our new friend we established the problem, and she set her, I presume husband, to work. During this conversation we soon established that they were climbers, and huge fans of Chaminox themselves, with a fine picture of the mountain herself pride of place behind the reception desk. We were invited to take a look around and have a little explore whilst Mr Garage beavered away at the wiper challenge. 

We were a little shocked but also delighted to see a climbing wall built in to their garage, and we soon found out that this was for their own training, and also a friend of theirs who manufactured climbing holds out of the workshop. I think it was meant to be, some god of tooling and climbing offering us a guiding hand and encouraging us to share stories with these kindred spirits. 

Camera in hand I soon began to shoot I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this! Asking politely I soon was shooting an interview, and a few cuts to throw together a little film a later point, feeling inspired and refreshed it was great to be out the car and doing what I love, getting creative, amazing and surprising location, a story just begging to be told. In the end after a little mix up about which side was the drivers, due to a little continental difference, he had butchered one of the old motors and created us a temporary fix. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball, like and acrobatic windscreen wiper, and instead of getting stuck in a panic and flap, you’re treated to one of life’s little moments that make you stop take it in, and remember why you love being on the road so much. Onwards and upwards in aspirations and altitude. 

3162 miles (+ a few more for wrong turns) to go!

As I pack for another adventure, I cant help but think back down memory lane to past exploits and expeditions. After many years on the road in a past life as a mountain guide.

It is a good feeling to know we will soon be back in the French Alps for a bit of r & r, “hitting the slopes”, thats the terminology now days I believe, before a little local exploration, of the local climbs, food and no doubt a few beers to help us sleep. 

As is exciting as it is to be heading to the mountains, I also cant wait to get the cameras out and get to record the experience of traveling with my friends, sharing in Pete’s journey to the Ice Climbing World Cup in Switzerland. Now that I am a film maker and an artists I wonder how I will see the mountains, rather than the pure thrill I used to feel, will I experience that profound poetic beauty that is often associated with these environments, and most of all how am I going to capture it? Will it be with my newly acquired old school brownie camera, re creating some of those historic photos of days gone by, towering mountains, canvas clothes, and hob nail boots, just with a slightly modern twist. Or am I gonna rely, as we tend to do, on digital imagery shot on DSLR’s and swanky smart phones, only time will tell.  

After a week of getting everything done, tying up loose ends, and trying to fit in packing and preparing, its nice to know the bags are packed, now we just got to try and fit it in all in the beast, alongside five hyped up guys, a interesting mix of athletes, hippies, climbers, artists, and Alps virgins. I am not gonna lie it was a bit like the tetris olympics finals trying to squeeze and shape everything in to the remaining voids. Well I am glad to say thats us, were under way, I am currently now sitting in the back of Pete’s mean machine, writing this blog, waiting for Dale to get his quad-copter fixed. Just one of the many many modern day toys we have managed to cram in to our home for the next fifteen days or so, I say home but I got a little tent stowed away for me and the hippy, four foot nothing bed and five guys is a step to far for even me! 

No real agenda, good friends, and good attitudes, what could possibly go wrong? Time for some old school tunes as we head further south through the rest of England, and then onwards, on our relay through France, to Chamonix. See you all there!     

                                                                                                                                                                     

     
                                                               

   

Bienvenue

After many adventures over the last year or so under the guise of a Lost Panda, its time to embark on what I hope to be the new chapter in the ongoing story. Whilst there are many stories to share from past panda exploits, I am inviting you all to join me, and my friends, on expeditions, adventures, and share in the exciting world I am lucky enough to call my work.