Although I have always pursued an interest in the mountains and hiked many of Scotland’s larger hills in my youth I only got involved ‘formally’ in climbing aged 22 in September 2002. When I graduated with a degree in history in June 2002 I was certain of a few things. First, I was done with history for a while; second, I wasn’t interested in a proper job; third, I was never going to be a professional rugby player; fourth, I needed to see more things; five, I wanted to be outside more: six, I wanted something fun, hard, physical, social and that would push me in all ways. Life had been too easy, too soft, too urban and things were due for a change.

I heard my buddy Fin was going to Canada after he graduated and so gave him a call to see what his plans were. We met up a few months later for a very wet camping/hiking trip to An Teallich where amongst many school boy mountain errors we decided to give becoming mountain men a decent try. With a total inability to grow a beard we knew there were some hard times ahead.

September 2002 I landed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, after an chilled month of beach time in the Caribbean. I got a bus to the town of Canmore and made my way to the Alpine Club of Canada’s club house on the edge of town. The next 3 months was a whirlwind that would influence my life for ever.