https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/writing daily 0.75 2026-09-14 https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/writing/67-degrees-south monthly 0.5 2026-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/5cbad1bd-6a21-4d11-b02b-f3110678fe4c/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out Our Scott Pyramid tent on the Pine Island Glacier, Ellsworth Land, West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Made from traditional Ventile fabric and incredibly stable in high winds, the design of these specialist polar tents has changed very little since the turn of the twentieth century. 29 December 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/c40e83a1-d96b-4668-bfa9-6b3cb67dce84/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%289%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out Pine Island Glacier, Ellsworth Land, West Antarctic Ice Sheet. This small field camp was my home for four weeks during the 2025–26 season. Our team of four could live surprisingly comfortably in two Scott Pyramid tents and a small toilet tent, which provided a little privacy. A linear camp layout perpendicular to the wind makes snow wind tails more manageable. 23 December 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/21c7a174-86bb-4388-b10d-81fd2768ea77/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%288%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far The RRS Sir David Attenborough passing through the Neumayer Channel in the Palmer Archipelago on our way to Rothera Research Station. This narrow passage runs between Anvers Island to the north-west and Wiencke Island to the south-east. It connects the Gerlache Strait at its northern end with the Bismarck Strait to the south. The channel was charted by the Belgian Antarctic Expedition under Adrien de Gerlache in 1898, and named for Georg von Neumayer, the German geophysicist and polar-research advocate. Port Lockroy sits just off its southern end on Goudier Island. 23 November 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/ffb21c97-c180-482e-b967-a8f3ed94656a/Antarctica+Website+-+2+of+3.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far Icebergs abound in the Southern Ocean as we round the western tip of Coronation Island after crossing the 60th parallel. The island is the largest in the South Orkney Islands archipelago. Less than three nautical miles to the south is Signy Island, where we spent several days in November opening Signy Research Station in preparation for the summer season. Elephant Island, the desperate refuge of Shackleton in 1916 following the loss of his ship Endurance in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea, is around 260 nautical miles to our west. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/c05fe659-4a17-494a-8793-04a914bec1fd/Antarctica+Website+-+3+of+3.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far In two ribs, our team of two Field Guides and two scientists, along with two boat crew, made the short journey to Moe Island, off the southern tip of Signy Island. Whilst the sea was calm, bitterly cold winds, freezing sea spray, and driving snow stung our faces. Our boats had to navigate between myriad small icebergs, known as growlers, before finding a suitable cove to land at Moe Island. Unable to wait for us at the island, the ribs returned to the RRS Sir David Attenborough whilst we carried out survey work. After counting several hundred penguins and keen to avoid the beckoning twilight, we radioed the ship to be collected a few hours later. 19 November 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/01d1aa35-6ce6-42f6-a184-e0bba2722444/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%2810%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out I tied in with Jon, a fellow Field Guide, as we practised snow assessment and crevasse rescue techniques during a hectic three weeks of field training. Rothera Research Station, Adelaide Island, Graham Land, Antarctic Peninsula. 12 December 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/a3150769-5619-4a36-b3ab-cb08bca42669/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%281%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out Hauling scientific instruments in the baking midday heat with Field Guides, Simon (left) and Jon (right) on the Stork Peaks. The still water of Ryder Bay reflects Mount Gaudry (2,315m), the highest mountain on Adelaide Island. 6 December 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/8a841255-5436-48d0-9efa-cb05596b4be7/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%2812%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far Fieldcraft training on the Fuchs Ice Piedmont also covered linked skidoo travel and the pulling of sledges. A typical sledge system consists of a ‘full unit’ (left), which can support a field party for weeks at a time, and a ‘half unit’ (right), which contains emergency clothing, medical equipment, and spare parts. 7 December 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/fb880469-1482-48f7-b239-cdbc20129c9e/Antarctica+-+1+of+1.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far Olly, our Chief Pilot, checks the props on the Twin Otter after landing at Sky Blu on 20 December. Matt Scott, a Field Coordinator who has just overwintered at Rothera, prepares to refuel the aircraft. BAS operates a fleet of four de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, along with one larger Dash 7, in support of polar operations across the continent. Equipped with skis and heavily modified for polar use, including long-range fuel tanks, the aircraft are a vital lifeline for teams operating in the deep field. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/1306cf36-80f4-45de-96a8-11d63b7292aa/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%2811%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out Neil warms up the snowblower, which we use to excavate snow to a depth of approximately two metres before it becomes necessary to dig by hand. Pine Island Glacier, Ellsworth Land, West Antarctic Ice Sheet. 23 December 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/c5b0282a-612c-4469-9f96-d8868f81f82f/Antarctica+Website+-+3+of+4.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out Pine Island Glacier, Ellsworth Land, West Antarctic Ice Sheet. 23 December 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/2dc80f76-bc5c-4095-9519-d54b05eb86a2/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%283%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out After four weeks in the deep field, the arrival of the first of three Twin Otters to extract our team is a welcome sight. To make this long flight, they carry drums of additional fuel, which we use to refuel the aircraft before the four-hour return journey to Sky Blu. Pine Island Glacier, Ellsworth Land, West Antarctic Ice Sheet. 14 January 2026. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/997659ea-6c95-4dcd-b689-ddb595aac710/Antarctica+Website+-+2+of+3+%281%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far Matt Scott calls Rothera on the satellite phone to discuss the developing logistics plan for our extraction from Site 5 on the Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelf. We had flown in on two Twin Otters several days earlier, and had nearly completed our task of caching hot-water drilling equipment for next season’s project. Our team of five slept in one three-person Scott Pyramid tent and the two aircraft. The tent made a superb communal space for cooking and preparing hot drinks, whilst a selection of equipment boxes served as makeshift chairs for al fresco dining. 30 January 2026. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/676e7911-acb4-45b6-9913-fc830d0b0950/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%286%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out Turning around for one last look at the winterised Sky Blu ‘comms melon’ before returning to Rothera at the end of the summer season. Sky Blu uses two of these fibreglass domes for accommodation, and this one also serves as a backup communications station for the field logistics hub. 11 February 2026. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/ad2af19d-6efc-4d57-9998-3802ac8701b0/Antarctica+Website+-+1+of+1+%282%29.jpeg Writing - 67° South: The Journey So Far - Make it stand out Crossing the plateau between N26 and the Stokes Peaks with marine biologist Matt Bell on an eight-day pulking trip around the Fuchs Ice Piedmont. These winter trips take place in March and April and allow the wintering team an opportunity to develop their polar skills and enjoy a little recreational time at the end of a busy summer season. 2 April 2026. https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/writing/kyrgyzstan-2021 monthly 0.5 2026-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/9bddc800-db96-4fd0-9130-65f46dfee0a6/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+13+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out The upper reaches of the East Bordlu Glacier and the northern flanks of Pk 4842, Kuiluu Range, Kyrgyzstan. 14 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/accf89d2-b381-4afd-9e78-cbb005b7813c/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+3+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out Sam Davies collecting water at advanced base camp on the northeastern flank of the East Bordlu Glacier. 12 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/c5cb89f1-7a7d-47af-b3e6-908ea7d6033c/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+4+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out Alex surveying the upper reaches of the glacier and the northern flanks of our primary objective, Pk 4842. 12 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/42a41ed2-5bec-4621-af08-cb70749858e9/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+21+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out A meandering dirt track weaves between the sheer rock walls, verdant woodland, and complex waterways along the northern bank of the Kuiluu River. 19 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/d1459ff5-fd50-41cd-83c4-8a23e325de33/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+20+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out Base camp on a grassy plateau at the confluence of the Kuiluu and Bardytor rivers. 17 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/c64c5dcf-0c80-4454-99ea-a7069a70fa85/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+10+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out A low mist sits across the East Bordlu Glacier in the cool pre-dawn air. Many, if not all, of these summits remain unclimbed. Most are around 4,000 metres. 14 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/a9a823fb-06c4-41e8-b1a4-d7c727aa9fa1/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+7+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out Thomas and I roped together on the high-Alpine ridgeline leading to the small summit dome of Perseverance Peak. From what we can ascertain, many of the distant peaks remain unclimbed. 13 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/edef14c0-9f7e-4fe4-b9a6-a55c378e4a4e/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+15+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out The west spur of Perseverance Peak culminates in a giant snow bowl flanked by wind-scooped cornices and loose rock. We had unroped on the bands of loose rock below. 14 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/2e8671a9-83b4-45a3-8abb-c3d9c85ea852/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+19+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out Drying our kit in the afternoon sun after our return from the summit of Perseverance Peak. 14 August 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/ad7ddec7-7df3-46af-b813-9329b3b02d84/Kyrgyzstan+2021+Website+-+5+of+21.jpeg Writing - A Journey into the Tian Shan: Kyrgyzstan 2021 - Make it stand out The early-morning alpenglow over the central Tian Shan. 13 August 2021. https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/writing/closer-to-the-edge-pakistan-2024 monthly 0.5 2026-08-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/90e9b94b-1716-455a-b905-05e90b78a44c/All+Photos+-+1+of+1.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 - Make it stand out Leo gains the east ridge of an unclimbed peak of unknown height in the Hunza Valley, Pakistan Karakoram. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/7ac19a92-dbd4-4b98-8317-6b5cb876ea82/Pakistan+2024+Website+-+1+of+10.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 Askole, a remote village in the Braldu Valley, is the final settlement before we enter the wilderness of the high Karakoram. The hillside sweeps steeply down to the thundering glacial torrents of the Braldu River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/f8c72e5f-2183-4660-89bd-4d99d409098f/Pakistan+2024+Website+-+2+of+10.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 ‘Under a soft mid-afternoon sun, we climb 450m up the west side of the Panmah Valley, following a steep, rough track weaving through tufts of thorned shrubs and granite boulders. We visit a lone shepherd tending his flock of sheep and goats in the high pastures above.’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/760e2dd9-4dc9-45ac-b083-1581f1920d04/Pakistan+2024+Website+-+3+of+10.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 ‘We descend in a whiteout to an intermediate camp, and then descend the following day to a camp on the glacier, closer to 4,000m. The rejuvenating effect of the increased partial pressure of oxygen is almost immediate.’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/460aef92-59c0-4e45-a508-f55fdf45f8ae/Pakistan+2024+Website+-+4+of+10.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 - Make it stand out Felix captures this moment on an old 35mm disposable camera; we have just made the first ascent of Aesh Sar (5,662m). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/a13ab72c-c7be-4421-9db4-a5aa086643f1/Pakistan+2024+Website+-+5+of+10.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 ‘We continue along a mixed ridge of snow and rock from the col. Classic high Alpine terrain allows us to weave a line over snow slopes and through bands of rough granite. The route culminates in a summit ridge of short granite spires.’ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/9bf07a9d-36fa-4c93-8a7f-c395500d0cca/Pakistan+2024+Website+-+6+of+10.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 We are almost entirely dependent on our caravan of porters and mules to haul base camp back down the Panmah Glacier from Toskar to Askole. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/ec56aef8-9337-4e73-8301-bfdbc35e6843/Pakistan+2024+Website+-+7+of+10.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 - Make it stand out Felix hauls a heavy pack up the Misgar Valley on the northern edge of the Hunza District in Gilgit-Baltistan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/a5841fd4-3967-4d4c-b378-2ee92e71c4d3/Pakistan+2024+Website+-+8+of+10.jpeg Writing - Closer to the Edge: Pakistan 2024 Leo on the southeast face of an unnamed peak of unknown height (c. 6,000m) in the heart of the Karakoram. https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/writing/duelling-llamas-and-drop-knee-corners-bolivia-2024 monthly 0.5 2026-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/5da84e87-e31e-4105-a27e-2da9041de181/Bolivia+2024+-+1+of+1.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 - Make it stand out High Camp perched atop a small col on the spur of Sajama’s northwest ridge, Bolivian Andes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/e35c01a2-50fc-4fb1-aaa5-730d3e7b996c/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+1+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/3f6ba409-4d1d-4050-a38d-53c8ab1efa7c/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+2+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/0d1e276e-7dc1-41af-b7ae-6e21baa5f9ee/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+5+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/84ec41ba-a1de-435f-a166-884e4293454a/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+7+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/dd4bb5a4-e6b6-4215-ad15-6e7a85cdd2d2/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+8+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/0304369b-2432-4067-91e3-35488e39a85a/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+9+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/c9f6081d-3b7b-49f8-9404-62d42cf29266/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+13+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/4b04aad1-56ac-482d-8735-a203972da4c8/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+15+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/0c3fae24-2404-4c55-b39e-c13c30164e88/Bolivia+2024+Website+-+16+of+16.jpeg Writing - Duelling Llamas & Drop Knee Corners: Bolivia 2024 https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/writing/shifting-objectives-winter-alps-2024 monthly 0.5 2026-08-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/51ce5db3-00ad-48b6-9d77-170899cfa0e9/Winter+Alps+2024+-+7+of+8.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 - Make it stand out Andy topping out over the Fenêtre du Tour (3,414m) before a descent of the Glacier du Tour, Mont Blanc massif. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/8520cc85-0e86-44eb-8ab6-040ab1810eae/Winter+Alps+2024+-+1+of+8.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 Rob captures each of the team as we drop in from Crête de Lenion (2,440m), Névache. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/6617387e-28c1-44ec-82be-e659726633f5/Winter+Alps+2024+-+2+of+8.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 Dave approaches Brèche de la Plate des Agneaux (3,217m) from the Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar d'Arène and the Glacier d'Arsine. The Pic de Neige Cordier (3,613m) is still several hours away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/a22523bf-0497-4b72-a6ed-7f3dc3e46e71/Winter+Alps+2024+-+3+of+8.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 Dave skinning up the final snow slopes of Pic de Neige Cordier (3,613m). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/89429168-5ace-4904-b76f-6821f4aefb1a/Winter+Alps+2024+-+1+of+1.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 Zander breaking trail from La Fouly as we make our way towards Mont Dolent (3,823m) and the Bivouac du Dolent (2,667m) for an attempt to climb the Gallet Ridge and ski the south face. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/2b73398f-b9ca-4201-b018-7637bfb5aba6/Winter+Alps+2024+-+4+of+8.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 Zander mid-transition on the west face of the Rinderhorn (3,449m) as the conditions come in and force a retreat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/bafc91cc-f78f-4673-bb2b-9678d633ffe8/Winter+Alps+2024+-+5+of+8.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 Alena braces as gusts of wind drive spindrift over the Col des Rachasses as we make our way to the Argentière Glacier and the Col du Chardonnet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/0c57aad3-79c9-4ed6-b174-3a87719a815b/Winter+Alps+2024+-+6+of+8.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 Andy (front) and Alena skinning over the Glacier des Rognons towards the Argentière Glacier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/eb6fe779-c55f-45d6-a99e-124724eb40bb/Winter+Alps+2024+-+8+of+8.jpeg Writing - Shifting Objectives: Winter Alps 2024 Skiing the north face of Mont Blanc (4,808m) towards le Grand Plateau on variable snow with nearly 2,000 vertical metres of descent. https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/writing/summitsandsnowstorms monthly 0.5 2026-08-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/5a28e9f8-e47f-4117-bb72-a8ae6525eb01/India+2023+Website+-+5+of+12.jpeg Writing - Summits & Snowstorms: North Sikkim, India 2023 - Make it stand out Ula (left) and Tom (right) going about camp tasks as we make our home on the glacier (5,100m). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/cf383571-9d5d-46e8-b654-3c674ac3b807/India+2023+Website+-+1+of+12.jpeg Writing - Summits & Snowstorms: North Sikkim, India 2023 Ula overlooks a small lake, not marked on our maps, where we have established a midway camp and gear cache to better support access to the glacier above. It is not unusual for heavy afternoon mists to descend on the valley. Swirling veils of snow and rain maintain a state of suspended animation as we wait to be granted access to the higher mountains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/58136959-0e9f-4446-8aba-7db1c91149b5/India+2023+Website+-+6+of+12.jpeg Writing - Summits & Snowstorms: North Sikkim, India 2023 Tom (in shot) and I make our way to the col at 5,200 metres, which gives access to Dhairya to the left and Thoda to the right. Deep snow saps our energy reserves and slows our progress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/f37e429b-8133-443e-adb1-5c73ca68cb2f/India+2023+Website+-+7+of+12.jpeg Writing - Summits & Snowstorms: North Sikkim, India 2023 Kasia (front) and Ula adeptly navigate a maze of crevasses as the terrain steepens, approaching the col at 5,200 metres. Clouds hang in the valley below, soon to turn a foreboding shade of gunmetal grey and envelop our little mountain world as the weather deteriorates into the afternoon — a routine phenomenon we are becoming all too familiar with. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/ef96b840-3ee2-4a7b-a0c7-012de98f64e2/India+2023+Website+-+9+of+12.jpeg Writing - Summits & Snowstorms: North Sikkim, India 2023 Ula carefully leads our party across the bergschrund and gains the final snow slopes before we make the first ascent of Dhairya at 5,543 metres on 14 October 2023. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/41263021-f8ac-4a4c-b218-8e0a48f5f7d1/India+2023+Website+-+2+of+12.jpeg Writing - Summits & Snowstorms: North Sikkim, India 2023 Tom prepares to melt snow for tea on a frigid morning at our glacial camp. With no room in the tiny single-skin tent for storing gear, we dig a cache at the rear and clip our possessions to the outside of our little red home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/36a704eb-74b1-4a89-a060-0db07ed2d659/India+2023+Website+-+3+of+12.jpeg Writing - Summits & Snowstorms: North Sikkim, India 2023 Kasia (left) and Ula organising gear in the deep cold of an early morning as we establish camp on the glacier. Snowshoes and an axe are securely stored, half buried in the snow, and encrusted in a fine layer of frosted ice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/f340d4f1-7f61-4e0c-8283-e064fbdd9d5a/India+2023+Website+-+12+of+12.jpeg Writing - Summits & Snowstorms: North Sikkim, India 2023 Kasia, Sam, Ula, and Elie take a moment to observe Kangchenjunga in the far distance. Having spent nearly a month in the Eastern Himalayas, we are nearing the end of our time on the Indian subcontinent. We pause to reflect on everything we have achieved. https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/writing/andean-adventures-2023 monthly 0.5 2026-08-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/54e0a296-b847-432e-a350-338d45ae1f26/Peru+2023+-+1+of+1.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 - Make it stand out The complex west face of the 6,188m Nevado Copa, Peruvian Andes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/2ab3e8f8-77a2-49d7-ad5c-5b4209f0b750/Peru+2023+Website+-+10+of+12.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 - Make it stand out Stopping for a navigation check at approximately 5,800m on the west face of Nevado Copa in Peru’s Ancash Region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/8cbf7405-cab5-4e60-b9de-5286c1f3a65c/Peru+2023+Website+-+11+of+12.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 Karen descends the smooth, steep slabs above base camp on Nevado Copa. Pre-dawn route-finding through these complex channels of rock cut and polished by millennia of glacial activity is challenging with only a head torch to illuminate the path ahead. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/3fd3000e-dad0-4336-b6c0-f4d618b4ed0d/Peru+2023+Website+-+1+of+12.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 Our small high camp at 4,350m in the Cayesh valley of the Chinchey massif. Remote, quiet, and seldom visited, this was the perfect acclimatisation objective, even if heavy rainfall had dashed any hopes of a summit attempt on the 5,326m Nevado Maparaju. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/4c8f2f80-1239-498e-81b4-53dab7453d07/Peru+2023+Website+-+4+of+12.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 Descending loose, steep scree slopes on the technical trails from base camp to a high camp at 4,850m. Blazing sun, heavy packs, and clouds of ivory-white dust make for a feeling of true adventure on the approach to Nevado Pisco. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/560d99ec-e7e6-4463-a525-9e3838ed42f5/Peru+2023+Website+-+1+of+1.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 - Make it stand out Checking crevasses on the complex west face of the 6,188m Nevado Copa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/e112dfb5-2665-4d1f-bb1f-ab295b4128ec/Peru+2023+Website+-+5+of+12.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 Cooling off in the emerald glacial lake below at the south face of Nevado Pisco. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/9403e160-73e0-419d-ae15-ae7bd2463e40/Peru+2023+Website+-+3+of+12.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 We rigged a short abseil from a snowstake for the descent of the only technical pitch on Nevado Pisco. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/45f30a63-b980-48b1-a60b-9f2f9d5e191d/Peru+2023+Website+-+8+of+12.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 A frosty start in the frigid pre-dawn air at Nevado Copa high camp, 5,200m. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/d2505d24-434a-491f-a98e-a4ae883ddd91/Peru+2023+Website+-+6+of+12.jpeg Writing - Andean Adventures: Peru 2023 - Make it stand out At 4,765m, the Refugio Perú sits just above base camp under the steep south face of Nevado Pisco in the Cordillera Blanca. https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/about daily 0.75 2025-09-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/4614bd03-6688-408e-a077-5add408cd035/About+Photo+-+1.jpeg https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/new-page daily 1.0 2025-09-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6461ecbde33e0e2bcc75525a/6a6aa7d4-b638-4e29-8528-a6c7513d5f7a/20210812_METCALFE_KGZ_Expedition_to_Kyrgyzstan_Establishing_ABC_17894.jpg Home https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/contact daily 0.75 2024-05-31 https://www.tomdavismerry.co.uk/speaking daily 0.75 2025-01-28