Alaska 2024: Walls, Dickeys and Peanut Butter

A trip to Alaska’s Ruth Gorge with Gašper Pintar, to experience the joys and chills of alpine climbing.

What Climbing Gear to Take for Alpine Climbing

Carrying on from my blog on Expedition and Alpine Climbing - Information and Beta written in 2022, I’ve created a concise list of what climbing gear to take alpine climbing. This blog talks about what rack, tools and ropes to take.

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneNovember 9, 2023gear, alpine climbing, rack, ropes, tools Comments

Patience, Perseverance and Pleasure

A winter of six north face alpine climbs, then a transition into spring and trying really hard!

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneJune 7, 2023writing, patience, perseverance, pleasure, alpine climbing, rock climbing, winterComment

G is for Gasherbrum

Aleš Česen and I spent nearly two months in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains in the summer of 2022. We hoped to climb a (new) technical route to around 8000 metres, and made a good attempt at Gasherbrum 3. This is our story, which ultimately ended without a summit, but with a satisfying effort, and a fine adventure with a friend.

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneSeptember 21, 2022gasherbrum, pakistan, alpine climbing, alpinism, Gasherbrum 3, 8000 metres, tom livingstone, expeditionComment

Tengkangpoche Part 4 - The Aftermath

In the days following Matt Glenn and my ascent of Tengkangpoche’s north-east pillar, we staggered back to civilisation. We’d survived a mental and physical storm (including very strong winds) on the mountain, but were soon embroiled in another kind of storm.

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneJanuary 7, 2022nepal, climbing, alpine climbing, tengkangpoche, matt glenn, tom livingstoneComment

Tengkangpoche Part 3 - Combusted Energy

Matt Glenn and I made a second attempt at the north-east pillar of Tengkangpoche. We were lucky to make the first ascent, reaching the summit on our seventh day, but it was a battle…

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneJanuary 7, 2022tengkangpoche, alpine climbing, matt glenn, tom livingstone, nepalComment

Tengkangpoche Part 2 - Potential Energy

Matt Glenn and I arrived in the Khumbu region of Nepal and began scoping objectives, before an attempt on Tengkangpoche

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneJanuary 7, 2022tengkangpoche, alpine climbingComment

Tengkangpoche Part 1 - Boundless Energy

Highly motivated, Matt Glenn and I decided to go on a last-minute alpine climbing trip to Nepal. All we had to do was find an objective, money and flights - the rest was more simple

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneDecember 20, 2021writing, nepal, alpine climbing, matt glenn, tom livingstone, tengkangpocheComment

The Warmth of Winter

With the fire roaring in a winter refuge, we find comfort from the storm. With the glance at the mountains, I remember climbing those icy faces over a decade ago. And with the passing of time I find myself on a balcony watching the mountains set fire.

writingTom LivingstoneSeptember 28, 2021the ginat, climbing, alpine climbing, argentiere glacier, refuge, winter room Comment

Pumari Chhish (Pakistan) 2021

A trip report of my expedition to Pumari Chhish in Pakistan with Mathieu Maynadier. Unfortunately we didn’t get decent weather for our main objectives… or for our consolation prize! Sometimes you win, sometimes not, but it was good to try.

expedition reportTom LivingstoneSeptember 10, 2021pakistan, alpine climbing, pumari chhish, mathieu maynadierComment

Progress...?

After climbing the Frêney Pillar on Mont Blanc with Tony Stone, I reflected on my progress, free climbing ideas, style, and why it all matters.

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneMay 6, 2021writing, freney pillar, mont blanc, alpine climbing, tony stone, tom livingstoneComment

Klettern Magazine Interview

An English version of my interview to the German-language ‘Klettern’ magazine. They asked me a few questions about alpinism, recent routes, the Piolet d’Or and why the Brits are rubbish considering we have no big mountains…

The Great Game, Koyo Zom, Pakistan - 2019

A short write-up of my new route (‘The Great Game’) in the Hindu Raj region of Pakistan with Ally Swinton, last autumn 2019

Piolet d'Or

My thoughts on being awarded the 2018 Piolet d’Or (Golden Ice Axe) with Aleš Česen and Luka Stražar for our ascent on Latok 1, in Pakistan.

Tom LivingstoneAugust 2, 2019alpine climbing, pioletdor Comments

A Change of Perspective

Returning to the sport climbing mecca of Ceuse was supposed to be ace - instead, it confirmed a minor injury and I looked for a change of scene. A solo of the Matterhorn’s Hornli ridge provided the answer.

writingTom LivingstoneMay 25, 2019writing, ceuse, matterhorn, solo, sport climbing, alpine climbingComment

The ‘Good - Bad’

Is alpine climbing in Canada ‘good’ or ‘bad’?! In a exploratory piece, I open the door to the reasons I climb, the motivations, and the challenges. Canada is a funny place - each time I’ve visited, it’s always been at interesting points in my climbing career.

alpine climbingTom LivingstoneApril 27, 2019alpine climbing, canada Comments