Howdy all,
Well it’s been a busy month and May like the rest of this year seems to be slipping away at a terrifying pace.
I read an interesting article recently about how the COVID pandemic has affected people’s perception of time. The anthropologist investigating reports how human beings relate to time, particularly during crises. The current crisis, like many others, could be seen to deprive us of our “temporal agency” – the ability to structure, manage and manipulate our experience of time. You can read the whole article here.
The majority of my month has been taken up pitching to brands for the expedition and learning the subtle art of negotiation. Expeditions need so much equipment! I’ll be putting everything I learnt into a blog post for you soon.
A few weekends back I was up in the Peak District for more gritstone climbing and my first Alpine Club meet of the year. It was good to get back on the rock and socialise with people at last.
Between climbing sessions I managed to squeeze in a bit of jumaring at Lawrencefield Quarry. I couldn't believe my luck when two climbers came and onsited the pitch right next to my line, Braincells in Collision, E3.
Right place, right time it seems.
Other Stuff You May Have Missed
Incase you missed them, check out the other articles below from the blog this month:
New Article Published with The Alpine Club
What I’m Reading
Life at the Edge of the Empire: Oral Histories of Kyrgyzstan - Sam Tranum
I’ve long held a deep fascination with Russia, her people and their culture.
My upcoming trip to Kyrgyzstan has reignited my curiosity about Russia’s role in Central Asia and what legacy remains there.
This book is a collection of oral histories taken from the people Kyrgyzstan. They range from humble collective farmers to KGB agents and committee chairman who give their accounts on events including: collectivization; World War II; the post-war reconstruction period; Stalin’s death; and independence.
An eye opening look into one of the lesser explored parts of the world.
Music I’m Diggin
Delta Cream - The Black Keys
I first discovered The Black Keys during 2011 with the release of their hit album El Camino.
Thankfully since then they’ve returned to their bluesy rock roots and the days of earlier albums such as Rubber Factory & Thickfreakness.
This album is undoubtedly one of the best to come out of 2021 so far. You won’t be able to resist tapping your foot.
So grab yourself whisky, sit down and turn those speakers up. You’ll love it.
Who I’m Following
Mark Langley
I recently came across climbing photographer Marc Langley and his work during a talk he gave for the British Mountaineering Council on working as a full time outdoor photographer and writer.
Aside from his stunning imagery, he has also recorded some interesting interviews with climbing giants such as Nick Bullock, Andy Kirkpatrick & Emma Twyford.
What I’m Watching
I finally gave my photography the education it needed and have been studying a series on composition by Ted Forbes on his Youtube channel, The Art of Photography.
Among others Ted explores the rule of odds, negative space and how rhythm and tempo were all used by greats such as Cartier Bresson & W. Eugene Smith to create some of their most memorable works.
Ted has also gathered a huge array of useful examples on his Pintrest account for reference.
Quote I’m Pondering
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
I’m going for my Rock Climbing Instructor assessment this weekend so if any of you want to get out on the rock soon just drop me a line.
Have a great month,
Alex
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Further Reading
As I write this newsletter the rain is drumming relentlessly against the climbing hut window here on the west coast of Scotland and I am feeling resigned that maybe, just maybe, the Scottish winter climbing scene is finally over.
This month I’m sharing the perfect film to get excited about Scottish winter skiing, a book to think differently about wealth and thoughts on how finding a mentor can appear in places least expected.