The Ivanator

I've always loved the outdoors and an active lifestyle, so why it took until my thirties to discover climbing I don't know. My best climbing days were behind me before I'd even begun!
Experiencing varied mountain, sea cliff and crag environments around the globe through climbs, scrambles and walks is what I go for, although I have become drawn into the grade chasing game a little over the last couple of years, in 2012 I onsighted my first F6b and E1 leads, but more comfortable operating around VS.
As a painter the aesthetics of the landscape are important to me, my day job is teaching Art in a sixth form college. Happily married, and just become an adoptive parent to a beautiful 12 month old Ethiopian boy (May 2013). My wife is not a climber but fairly understanding of my addiction.
My family has a long history of climbing, my great grandfather Raymond and grandfather Peter were both keen Alpinists. Raymond died climbing in the French Alps in 1927, see www.marcusbicknell.co.uk/obh/obh4.htm for the full story.

Email The Ivanator.

Location
Too far from outdoor climbing

Best Climbing Experience
When good company, good routes, good climbing form and good weather all coincide. Had some great days: Eliminate A, Murray's Direct and Eliminate C on Dow, DWS and then Benny at Swanage, a quick hit on Carn Kenidjack for Saxon and Rock Dancer in the Cornish sun, leading the slab on Golden Slipper then luxuriating in a stunning lakeland panorama from the belay.

Recent Postings

Click to list all my recent posts.

UKC Volunteer
Moderator for 2 crags, checking missing climbs added to the logbooks: Dri Hornli, Martinswand

Interests Outside Climbing
Travel, Art, hill walking, wild swimming, good food and drink.

PHOTO GALLERY Click to View all 95 photos in The Ivanator's gallery.

Click to list photo comments written by me. (62 comments)
I've voted for 2,792 photos, average vote 3.8.
(26% superb - 39% good - 21% average - 8% poor - 3% rubbish)

User Profile

registered 01/Jan/09
updated 20/May/13

Age
43

Been Climbing For
4 to 10 years

Best Onsights
Trad - E1
Winter - IV
Alpine - D
Sport - 6b

Main Sport/Activity
Trad Rock Climbing

Favourite Wall
High Sports Alton is my local

I Climb...
All over the world

Favourite Climbs
Golden Slipper (Pavey Ark)
Rock Dancer (Carn Kenidjack)
Main Wall (Cyrn Las)
Armorican (Craig Caerfai)
Little Brown Jug (Bosigran)
Eliminate A (Dow)
Blue Sky (Saddle Head)
Right Angle (Gurnard's Head)
Benny (The Promenade)
Stone Cold Fever (Cheddar)
Malbogies (Avon)
Pluto (Raven Crag
Langdale)

Latest Climbs
Eastender HVS 5a
Little Hopper VS 4b
There's Always An Angle 5+
Goats R Us 6b+
Postcard from Titan 7b
Always on My Mind 6a
Neural Network 6b
Wiggly Park 4
Simba E1 5b
Easy Pickings VS 4b
Opt Out 6b
Back on the Game VS 4c
African Killer Bee VS 4c
The Split VS 5a
Moving On Up 6a
... list all 676 climbs

Ticklists BETA
Orange Spot Cheddar 30%
Cheddar Intermediate 25%
Orange Spot Portland 58%
Orange Spot Swanage 53%
Feature Photo Routes from Dorset Rockfax 2012 31%
Orange Spot Lower Wye 53%
Best slab climbs of the UK 13%
50 Best HS Routes in the UK. 22%
100 More Classic British VS Climbs 12%
The 100 Best UK VS routes? 23%
... list all 12 ticklists

Climbs Wishlist
Kransic Crack Direct HVS 5a
Parle 6a+
Burn Up HVS 5a
Rock Idol E1 5a
Behemoth HVS 5a
The Pause E1 5b
Magical Mystery Tour 1 6a+
Breaking the Barrier E1 5b
Lakeland Cragsman HVS 5a
Grey Panther E1 5b
... list all 42 climbs