Andy Clarke
Came to climbing late and got hooked. Gave up job as Headteacher of successful secondary school to indulge in it for a few years while still reasonably fit/not yet dead. Aiming to write bestselling haiku about adventures and live off huge profits. Mainly here for deniable beta and cheesy puns.Location
Walsall
Best Climbing Experience
Seeing the sun rise on a bitterly cold ascent of Mont Blanc: my first alpine peak & I've been addicted since. My first extreme lead one summer evening at the Roaches. Three days at the CIC Hut as winter turned into spring. Looking down on a firework display over Zermatt, having climbed the Matterhorn on Swiss National Day. Traverse of La Meije: from crepes flambes to poulet au citron. Watching a peregrine falcon soar above the Roaches on my first day back bouldering after a potentially fatal fall. Lost in a lonely and thrilling lead on the East Buttress of El Cap.
Favourite Climbing-Related Discussion Topic
The zen of grit; soft touches & easy rides; comparative injury scar analysis; height/grade adjustment calculus.
Recent Postings
Logbooks Volunteer
Moderator for 1 crag, checking missing climbs added to the logbooks: China Crag
Interests Outside Climbing
Education. Literature. Writing mutant haiku. Film. Cycling. Pop Music trivia.
Photo Gallery
Andy Clarke on Grindulator (5.11b), Pratt's Crack Canyon, near Bishop, Eastern Sierra, California
© Dave Williams
Working hard on the HVS variation start to Doorway.
© Andy Clarke
Andy Clarke above the crux overhang of Awaken (VS 5a) at Pontesford Rocks
© Dave Cant
Wolverhampton MC on summit of Ailefroide Oriental
© A Tomlinson
Enjoying the view from Struggle (VS 4c) while soloing at Windgather
© Phil Bailey
The starting crimps of The Hendy Slab.
© Andy Clarke
The right-hand of the Twin Slabs at Gradbach
© Andy Clarke
The left-hand of the Twin Slabs at Gradbach.
© Andy Clarke
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Anything Else We Should Know
Speaking as a teacher: no, things weren't better in the past & the exams haven't got easier.