Rachel Colenso

Camping with toddlers may seem a bit of chore. All the getting ready, the packing, unpacking, crying over dollies left at home and misplaced tent pitching enthusiasm. An easy alternative is 'balcony camping.' (Or 'stoep camping') Two nights ago Rosemary looked up at the crescent moon and milky way from her balcony 'camp bed' with wonder before exclaiming. "I can't reach the moon. It is too high." There was quite a pause, then, "I can reach it with a step ladder." Rosemary's camp bed is our bouldering mat, and it has never seen quite so much use as it is now. Later the moon set blood red over the Atlantic ocean, that earlier that day I had braved a 'swim' in. Large bats flew overhead, and the calls of the night were plentiful. Most interesting was the grunting of the Eland which seemed to echo across the valley. The great advantages of balcony camping are: having use of your entire kitchen including the microwave. having the l...

Thursday evening saw a fantastic event sponsored by Petzl at the new adventure centre in Cape Union Mart, Canal Walk. The competition was well attended with a good crowd. Over forty people arrived whilst I was there. Many bravely signed up to participate in the speed climbing event. Scores broadcast on a large screen made the competition more fierce as did the super prizes, head torches and other items by Petzl. In some ways it had the same essence of the National Climbing Competitions in the 90's which would draw crowds at the Cape Town waterfront of up to 2 000 for the finals, and were televised on our South African sports slots. I was delighted to be able to encourage new climbers by providing copies of In a High and Desperate Place , my book, as prizes. It was rather tricky though not to be just a little biased, when I was asked to throw a copy into the crowd of eager hands. Well done everyone who participated, and well done Claire for winning the Women's Beginner section!

Climbing Event at Canal Walk On Thursday 16 July 2009 Petzl are sponsoring a climbing day and fun competition (from 6pm). It is to inaugurate the opening of the new, amazing Adventure Centre in Cape Union Mart at Canal Walk, Cape Town. Amongst other treats is a full size climbing wall to play on. I will be signing copies of my book, (In a High and Desperate Place) and donating a few as spot prizes for the competition to encourage our climbing youth of today. It is a fun and entertaining opportunity, and if you are still in doubt as to whether to go, keep reading... In the early 90's I was competing in the National Climbing Championships South Africa. A close friend of mine pointed out his main competion in the men's final, saying "There are the two Jeremy's, the one's incredibly strong, and the other one is a real dark horse. You never know what he is thinking!" The epic adventure in my book starts at a London climbing centre, when 10 years after our first enc...