Legacy

What are some of the key things we think of when we think of legacy?

My Dad is turning 60 this year, him and my Mum were the intrepid explorers who got my and my sister into hiking, climbing and mountaineering. Something as children, I didn't necessarily appreciate. Every holiday was a active holiday, we didn't do the chilling by a pool, everything included. The time I did at 18, by the second day I had read 3 books and decided to do a trail run up a mountain and down into the next village to chat to locals.

But, understandably, I never thought that from that I would end up as a Mountain Leader. I never thought that following the end of my fledgling Rugby career I'd end up finding solace in Rock Climbing and encouraging others to take it on. For fun, for adventure and for challenging comfort zones. The Brotherhood of the Rope is how Kenton Cool describes it and when you are working in pairs, or threes, at the end of the rope is where you can face demons and triumph.

Enjoying the Sun after climbing out of the clouds

Recently, I took my Dad to the Eryri to climb Tryfan, something he wanted to do for a while. Tryfan is part of the Glyderau range of mountains and means 'very large mountain top' in Welsh. Or at least is thought to mean that. Much like the Buchaille Etiv Mor to me it stands as a guardian of a valley. BEM is the gatekeeper of Glencoe, rising as a Pyramid into the sky where the mighty North Ridge of Tryfan slopes like an angled shoulder down into Llyn Ogwen. An imposing, striking and beautiful mountain that offers acceptance, offers challenge, offers adventure to everyone.

Crux move

We chose to head up to Milestone Buttress, an area with multiple scrambles and rock climbs. Originally I had wanted to take on a slightly harder climb, but with B2's and wet rock I checked that thought and stuck to a Diff. Good thing, the Diff was definitely harder due to conditions but climbing up and above the incredible inversion was something that we will never forget. Dads confidence has been struggling recently, so bringing him up here may have been a challenge. A few years ago, Dad was the one making risky moves and being an inspiration with a steadfast iron fisted determination to move up wards and move on. This time, as the time has moved on and my experience has improved, I was the one choosing the routes, choosing the moves and moving upwards ensuring the safety of myself and him alike. When he was struggling, I'd alter my belaying technique quickly setting up a small hoist to give him a boost. This didn't happen often and we scaled the Buttress in good time and good spirits.

The Great Tower behind us

We contoured around to rejoin the main North Ridge route and got to the cannon stone before heading up the great tower. A beautiful rock formation with enough routes to be as challenging or as easy as you like (with experience). I coached, spotted and modelled movements as I knew I could and we headed up the final vertical part and I realised I may have put it too far. But Dad showed me I hadnt and he headed up with only a small knock.

At the tope we had beautiful sunset colours, the inversion a sea of white with islands of stone rising above it. It's scary that in a thousand years this is what it could like if we don't look after our Earth. Pillars of stone and endless sea. The best part of the day was reaching the summit with Dad, enjoying that time just looking around before donning headtorches and moving forwards again. Dad in the lead. Every part of that day was fantastic, in as much as it was challenging too.

On the Summit with the Adam and Eve stones behind us

So when it comes to legacy, what are we passing down? How do I want to be when I have my own children? I think I know the answer, just as Mum and Dad have helped me be curious, adventourous and constantly pushing my boundaries whilst respecting the area around me.

What will your legacy be?

Nomads Adventure