Rog Wilko

A modest climber with plenty to be modest about - even the attainment of mediocrity would be a triumph. I've been climbing for over 40 years but still don't seem to get any better. I guess it's a bit late now. Likes - trad climbing, especially on big mountain crags, easy winter routes, winter and summer walking, real ale. Don't understand a lot of the modern stuff, eg. don't really "get" bouldering as an activity in itself, and can't distinguish headpoints from redpoints. Quite enjoy a bit of mid winter bolt clipping in the Med, though it doesn't do my head any good.
Keen club member (Lancashire Caving & Climbing Club).

Email Rog Wilko.

Location
South Lakes

Best Climbing Experience
Whatever I did on my last outing - it means I'm still going! Even more optimistically, what I'll do next week.
Seriously, though, memorable things include lots of trad climbing at Arapiles in Australia; winter climbs on those occasional perfect days in Scotland; easy routes in the Alps like north ridge of Badile and classic Mont Blanc traverse. Putting up new routes at Kettle Crag in 2003.

Favourite Climbing-Related Discussion Topic
Comparing quality of different routes and arguing about grades. Going on ad nauseam about what you're all missing by failing to get on the great adventure routes on Gimmer's NW frontier (left of Gimmer Crack).

Recent Postings

Click to list all my recent posts.

Articles by Rog Wilko

• Gimmer Crag - Less Travelled Routes Aug/2011
• Just the Best VS in the World Jan/2008

UKC Volunteer
Moderator for 6 crags, checking missing climbs added to the logbooks: Gros Cerveau, La Cride, Baou de Quatre Ouro, Mt Coudon, Main Crag, Gjokeredet, Aiguille de Buis

Interests Outside Climbing
Cycling
Used to do a lot of orienteering (and was much better at it than I ever was at climbing!)

About My Photography
Good digital technology has got me quite keen again. I like landscape photography particularly, and sometimes get enthusiastic about climbing action shots.

PHOTO GALLERY Click to View all 362 photos in Rog Wilko's gallery.

Click to list photo comments written by me. (346 comments)
I've voted for 165 photos, average vote 4.5.
(56% superb - 39% good - 1% average - 0% poor - 1% rubbish)

Anything Else We Should Know
A grumpy and opinionated old git (so I'm told).

User Profile

registered 12/Sep/05
updated 01/May/13

Been Climbing For
More than 20 years

Best Onsights
Trad - E1

Main Sport/Activity
Trad Rock Climbing

Favourite Crag/Rock
Gimmer
Rhyolite

Best Magazine
Summit (BMC)

I Climb...
All over the world

Favourite Climbs
NW arete/F Route
Hiatus (Gimmer)
Eagle Front
Mandrake
Troutdale Pinn Superdirect
Ardus
Bowfell Buttress
Main Wall (Cyrn Las)
Direct Route (Glyder Fach)
Eliminate A
Murrays Direct
Agags Groove
Ardvereikie Wall
Direct Route (Dinas Mot)
Mickledore Grooves
Botterills Slab
Eagles Nest Ridge Direct
Diocese (Chair Ladder)
Lost Horizons (Baggy)
Loads of things at Mt Arapiles: Watchtower Crack
Lamplighter for example.
SW Diedre (Gower)
Osiris (Gower)
Harijan
Third World
Kennel Wall

Latest Climbs
Trinity Slabs VD
The Shark's Fin VD
Nod Off S 4b
The Needle VD
Billy Bunter VS 4c
Jolly Roger HS 4b
Fun Run MVS
Glass Slipper E2 5b
Elevation HS
Evening Wall S 4a
Holly Tree Direct HVS 4c
Trinity Slabs VD
Wall and Corner VD
Paradise VS 4c
Block S 4a
... list all 3008 climbs

Ticklists BETA
Steve Ashton's 100 Classic Gritstone Climbs 43%
Best slab climbs of the UK 23%
Best 25 BORROWDALE VS/HVS's 64%
Rockfax West Country top 50 32%
North Wales Rock Graded List 12%
50 Best HS Routes in the UK. 76%
100 More Classic British VS Climbs 35%
Connoisseur's Classic Rock 51%
Classic Rock Climbs of Great Britain by Bill Birkett 61%
The Complete Dolphin Collection 18%
... list all 14 ticklists

Climbs Wishlist
... not setup