Rachael Crewesmith - Mountain Biking, Mountaineering and Other Outdoor Stuff

A Dream of White Horses, Wen Zawn, Gogarth

Running along Crib Goch at sunrise

Filming for British Cycling Trailsmart series

Winter navigation

Get In Touch

Social

rachcrewe

🏃🏽‍♂️FKT!⛰
Yesterday I had the absol

🏃🏽‍♂️FKT!⛰
Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of stalking Finlay Wild around the mountains of Snowdonia as he attempted to break the Fastest Known Time for the Welsh Classical Round, otherwise known as the Paddy Buckley. Unbelievably in possession of the split times of the current record (16hrs 20mins), alongside the projected 15 hour splits, I could work out just about where he would be so I popped up in various places to be his real-life “dot” for the dot watchers at home. Over the last ten days or so it’s been so interesting to witness a small part of the preparation and planning that goes into a big round like this: the recces, the research and the sheer amount of eating! Solo, unsupported, no tech, just a map and with just a 3 litre race vest and a fleece, this pair of legs covered 105kms with 9152m of ascent, with 47 summits in an unbelievable 15 hours, 14 minutes and 45 seconds. That’s the Glyderau, Carneddau, Moelwynnion, Hebog and Nantlle, Yr Wyddfa and Moel Eilio all in one go. You can find his round on Strava to look at the amazing number of records he clocked up on the way too.

#fkt #running #snowdonia #paddybuckleyround #hillrunning #mountainrunning #wildspotting #wildrunning #fellrunning #record #finlaywild #runfree #inspired #winner #favourite

Chilled afternoon Classic Rockateering with two of

Chilled afternoon Classic Rockateering with two of my faves today in the Llanberis Pass. We went on a geological adventure on the excellent Crackstone Rib followed by the hardest VDiff in the Pass, Wrinkle. Not many of the holds are fully attached which gives it a very Culm-esque feel but the moves are excellent and the chips tasted great after. 🧗‍♀️🍟

#rockaneering #rockclimbing #tradisrad #wearerab #themountainpeople #rockclimbing #snowdonia #sunshine #thisgirlcan #classicrock

Opened the Tremadog account with a Classic Rock ti

Opened the Tremadog account with a Classic Rock tick with the home crowd today. Creagh Dhu Wall has two quality pitches with sustained interest and spicy cruxs, well deserved. Last year (and the year before and the year before) it took me four weeks of concerted effort, fear and tears to get back to this standard so I am totally delighted to be loving moving over rock, not having any tangles and feeling strong enough to hold on. @tlm_84 got the photogenic pitch this time which meant Amy and I got to hang on the belay and enjoy the sunshine, sheltered from the chilly north-westerly. Rock climbing with friends is mega.

#rockclimbing #wearerab #themountainpeople #climbing #outside #tradclimbing #tradisrad #thisgirlcan #tremadog

🏃🏽‍♀️Lochaber Traverse on Friday 🏔

🏃🏽‍♀️Lochaber Traverse on Friday 🏔

The long way home from Spean Bridge to Fort William via the Grey Corries, Aonachs, Carn Mòr Dearg and Ben Nevis. I’ve wanted to do this for a while and it felt like a fitting way to round off a really positive winter. Plus in twenty laps of the Ben this season I hadn’t yet been to the top.

Soft, slow snow, poor visibility and a lot of up made for slow going. I didn’t see a thing or a persons along the Grey Corries which was kind of sad and it made the going feel slightly gnarlier. Thanks to some serious pep talks on text at Aonach Mòr from my three biggest cheerleaders I made it down to the col and up the other side.

“I always think, at least once I’m at CMD then the rest of the way up the Ben is technical so quite absorbing. Then it’s just a wee scoot down the tourist path.” Easy to say when your record is three times as fast.

Well what do you know? A dance along the CMD, a Brocken spectre, a deserted summit above the clouds and hurried along the final miles by beautiful light over the parts of Lochaber I really love.

It was underwhelming touching the bridge at the youth hostel and even though he came to pick me up with crisps and juice and a massive smile, it still felt pretty flat to have a time almost three times that of the record holder. @rob_greenwood told me I had lost my grip on reality. Perhaps that’s what comes with being in a place and an industry like this. I am in absolute awe of anybody who completes a Big Round. Three times that is a big old day.

But this is a story about stretch 🤸🏽‍♀️. I stretched pretty far out of my comfort zone with a winter Lochaber Traverse and I think I need to feel pretty proud of that. Whatever your stretch zone is, know that it is doing good things for you too. Next level unlocked. I’m off for a sit down.

For you stats fans:
30.59km
2560m ascent
7 Munros
10 hours 13 mins
3 hot cross buns
4 mars bars
1 malt loaf
A lot of snow.
Didn’t kiss any actual men.

#running #winterrunning #thisgirlcan #mountainrunning #lochabertraverse #fellrunning #wearerab #themountainpeople #outside #snow #bennevis #brockenspectre #weeminister #cloudinversion #cmd #bigday #stretchzone

A day of steep tracks, hike-a-biking and pebble wr

A day of steep tracks, hike-a-biking and pebble wrestling shenanigans was just the tonic for my recovery day after my big run yesterday. I’ll tell you about that another time. There was outstanding riding but these photos win my heart today. Thanks @eilidhstirrup and @rob.brown26 for such a lush day in the ☀️. This is what bikes were made for. 🐝⛰

#mtb #bike #mountainbiking #sheshreds #friends #scotland #smith #breakthebias #persueyourthrill

⛏Central Gully on Creag Coire Na Ciste back in F

⛏Central Gully on Creag Coire Na Ciste back in February ❄️
The forecast was warm and rubbish and I had cancelled my climbing plans for the following day and gone to the pub for @mattmbrook’s birthday. Nothing beats a bit of late-evening peer pressure banter to concoct a last minute plan to head high to find some ice before the thaw though. @rob.brown26 and I boosted into Vanishing Gully super early but it was a crud-fest. Second choice was a great consolation but don’t be fooled by the photo, it looks excellent but actually took all my newly learned Ben Nevis-crud-levitating skills to get up here. We were eating steak sandwiches in @larder_cafe_highlandsoapco by 2pm though, which I would call a win!

More brilliant days out with @scottishmountainhire.

#winterclimbing #winter #iceclimbing #iceisnice #bennevis #wearerab #themountainsarecalling #themountainpeople #thisgirlcan
#winterclimbingconditionsscotland #scottishmountains #lochaber #bfg #handsomefriends #myclimbingstory

Well if they didn’t enjoy this then winter climb

Well if they didn’t enjoy this then winter climbing probably isn’t for them! Dorsal Arête and Garadh Gully for this pair of winners from @cumcofficial. Primo connies, no wind and spectacular top outs. What a two days to be working!

@orangemountaineering

#winterclimbing #winterclimbingconditionsscotland #thinkwinter #wearerab #themountainpeople #thisisscotland #bennevis #wintermountaineering #snow #iceclimbing #iceicebaby

☀️Scotland in Spring🌱
The view from the sum

☀️Scotland in Spring🌱
The view from the summit of Beinn a Chaorainn (pronounced Ben a Hourrann) towards Aonach Mòr and Ben Nevis. What a spectacular day out on the East Ridge with Scott and Ollie for @roam.mtns .

#scottishwinter #thinkwinter #mountains #mountaineering #wintermountaineering #wintermountain #skills #panorama #swipe #wearerab #themountainsarecalling #themountainpeople

A grand, sweaty adventure yesterday with Jonny fro

A grand, sweaty adventure yesterday with Jonny from @highlandadventureschool on Two Step Corner and Quickstep on Ben Nevis. The vertical crud was only palatable because the axe placements were mostly spot on. @timneill71 recommended horizontal front points which was excellent beta. The icicle crux was so hard and the cornice was absolutely monstrous, we both drew the short straw but at least Jonny had some runners! Thanks to @mattstygallguiding for the handy rope as I poked my head out through the cornice; “That’s the last time you’ll do that isn’t it Rach?!” and to @abacusmountainguides for the first photo.

Another great adventure with the Hawk. Also SO RAD to bump into and share some belays with the McKennas @johnnyboysie. Can’t wait to do some scampering with you soon.

#winterclimbing #winter #thinkwinter #wearerab #themountainpeople #myclimbingstory #snow #iceclimbing #bennevis #friends #scotwinter #scottishwinterclimbing #scottishwinter #goodsticks #heroropes

Comb Gully Buttress was in fine fettle today for a

Comb Gully Buttress was in fine fettle today for an instructor day off as Simon and I finally got to climb together on the fourth attempt this winter. Steep ice, cool positions and a bonus abseil back in for the original finish. Great to be sharing belays with Becky and Si, laughing and wishing we had more sweets. More please!

@emlyn_price I heard you had cake and I didn’t get any! 😭

#winterclimbing #winter #thinkwinter #wearerab #themountainpeople #instructordayoff #thisgirlcan #moveyourworld #iceclimbing #ice #scottishwinterclimbing #scottishhighlands #scotwinter

Ace time working on the @abacusmountainguides @gir

Ace time working on the @abacusmountainguides @girlsonhillsuk Women’s Winter Weekend. It was wet and soupy in Garadh Gully on Saturday but we found useful ice for teaching things and the clouds cleared for a brief moment to show off Ben Nevis in all her finery. Today was an intense day of movement coaching firstly at @ice_factor for some kicking and thumping followed by the delicate scrittling of drytooling outside.

#thisgirlcan #winter #winterclimbing #thinkwinter #wearerab #themountainsarecalling #themountainpeople #winterwomen #womensupportingwomen #womenoutside #moveyourworld #icescrew #icescrewbelay

And that concludes our week of mountaineering skil

And that concludes our week of mountaineering skills with the team from Austrian Alpine Club (UK). The conditions couldn’t have been more different from Monday and it was ace to schlep up into “The Hurt Lochain” to put everything they have learned into context for an ascent of Broad Gully. Snow anchors, wet bums, rock gear, wellying pegs into cracks….

“From Patagonia to the Scottish Highlands!” @tamy.cova was loving it today!

Amazing week, thanks to @orangemountaineering for the work and to @climbtorridon and @alexanderrkay for all the team teaching opportunities.

#wintermountaineering #thinkwinter #winterclimbing #wearerab #moveyourworld #themountainpeople #themountainsarecalling #scottishwinter #glencoe #highlands #outside #thisgirlcan @ami_professionals #teal

Today started off pretty drippy for our Austrian A

Today started off pretty drippy for our Austrian Alpine Club (UK) team siege of Sròn na Làirig but it was worth it for the occasional parting clouds and the stonking view down Glen Etive from the top. Thanks to Tammy and Chris for so enthusiastically embracing the ming and loving every slightly-frozen pick placement.

Working for @orangemountaineering as an @ami_professionals.

#winter #winterclimbing #thinkwinter #thisgirlcan #wearerab #themountainpeople #wintermountaineering #themountainsarecalling #wanderlust #marginallywetpantsday #tealseal

Day 2 of @scottishdrytoolingclub Winter skills wal

Day 2 of @scottishdrytoolingclub Winter skills walking into totally gross weather: one of those warm, wet southerlies that feel horrible seeping down your front. After some frantic snow anchor digging and some excellent emergency shelter creation we warmed right up and walked out in blue skies and great clouds. Only mild snow-angel delirium. Looking forward to seeing what this team achieve on their CIC Hut meet next week 💪🏽

Working with @runwildmountaineer for @mountaineeringscotland

#winter #thinkwinter #getoutside #winterskills #wintermountaineering #wearerab #themountainpeople #myclimbingstory

Nice day out in the ☀️ today with Neil on Typh

Nice day out in the ☀️ today with Neil on Typhoon. The route was slightly in the sun which made the snow-ice a bit rippy and a bit scary, a bit steep and a bit lean. Luckily I had a crud-levitating genius with me for all the bits I couldn’t do. It was a bit humbling after two weeks of sending but that’s fine, that’s winter climbing isn’t it? The views of the Grey Corries were amazing, a plan is afoot for the weekend over that way. The icing on the cake was *just* making the last gondola down. Phew!

Nice to meet @tabithaagreen at the top to add some more XX chromosomes to the winter climbing scene.

#winterclimbing #wearerab #themountainpeople #thinkwinter #thisgirlcan #scotwinter #scottishhighlands #myclimbingstory #sunshine

🏔“Fabulous Chockstones” ⛏
Great adventure

🏔“Fabulous Chockstones” ⛏
Great adventure on 1931 Route yesterday with @martyn.stottlaw. After a bit of a faffy approach (my fault, I was trying to be clever) and some apprehensive dithering, we made it to the base of this icy chimney capped by a huge chockstone. I absolutely loved climbing this 3D, icy, mixed route, squeezing through some very small gaps, hauling bags, repeating my mantra “good sticks, Rachael” and laughing a lot. The conditions were great and the gear was hard won. I was very sweaty.

Thanks to @abacusmountainguides for the tip off the night before, so nice to escape the crowds on a day with limited options.

I had two pieces of sad news yesterday to taint the experience. When I worked for the Ballachulish Community during lockdown, I spent a lot of time with a lady called Davina. She had the best stories and loved walking so we used to stomp around the woods and go for coffee. She was just one of the millions of lonely people so sorely affected by the lockdowns. She died this week.

Our lovely greyhound, Poppy, who came to us 6 years ago as a stray, also died yesterday. Probably from a traveller camp, she was emaciated, timid and almost yellow. She had been trained to course for hares so we couldn’t let her off the lead as she kept killing the chickens and she hated cats. She was a gentle soul who never barked (apart from at hedgehogs), took up all the space on my living room floor and brought my dad a lot of joy and companionship. She had a cancer in the bone of her leg and had probably been in discomfort for longer than we had realised. We have been lucky to have Poppy in our lives.

#winterclimbing #winter #thinkwinter #wearerab #themountainsarecalling #themountainpeople #thisgirlcan #community #doggo #greyhound #wanderlust #wintermountaineering

You win some, you lose some. With better weather (

You win some, you lose some. With better weather (less wind pleeeeease) but a spicy avalanche forecast in the Cairngorms, Martyn and I took a walk into Coire an t’Snaechda. We had our goggles on from the car and due to some challenging road conditions coupled with slightly too long spent catching up in the cafe, we arrived at the crag to find more than 24 people in the vicinity of the three routes we had in mind. Not wanting to get snared up amongst all that knitting, and with limited other options due to the dangers on approaches, we turned around, thankful for the walk, the fresh breeze and the option to choose. There are frightening things happening way too close to our peaceful homes on the other side of Europe. It was nice to be away from the news and in the bluster for a time.

#winterclimbing #winter #scotwinter #wearerab #themountainpeople #thinkwinter #moveyourworld #snoticle

💨Completely wild day 🌊on Ben Nevis today wit

💨Completely wild day 🌊on Ben Nevis today with Murray and Rupert on their Introduction to Winter Climbing. The walk in was bonkers, we were soaked before we got to the snow line, but we dug some buckets, did some pitches, built some belays and descended back to safety. I can’t decide if the way in was gnarlier or the way out but my pants are definitely soaking and my boots were full of water by the end. I couldn’t get into my bag because the buckle had frozen and my kit is currently thawing out in the drying room.

Absolute stellar effort from the team today, with great craic throughout, the tea will taste SO GOOD. Days don’t get much burlier than that.

Working for @abacusmountainguides

#winterclimbing #thinkwinter #scotland #wearerab #themountainpeople #myclimbingstory #moveyourworld #scottishwinter #scottishwinterclimbing #wintermountaineering #snow #wetpantsday @r_stranks

⛷No touring kit. No problem! 🎿
I have been le

⛷No touring kit. No problem! 🎿
I have been left at home so many times on sunny powder days in Scotland through not owning the right stuff to join in. Today wasn’t a very good climbing day and so Simon and Becky suggested we go skiing. They had a spare set of downhill skis so I snowshoed up and skied down. Luckily my legs are strong from many hill days this winter so I managed to keep up and not fall into too many holes. This was my first time touring in Scotland and my conscious incompetence alongside their experience and competence meant that we had a lovely day on Creag Megaidh (my first time actually getting to the summit cairn of this much-visited Munro!) and got down safely via the magnificent Moy Burn, with some nice powder, some sticky wet stuff and a little bit of grass skiing. Lucky me to have friends like these.

Wish I’d brought my sunglasses 🕶!

#scottishskiing #britishbackcountry #wearerab #scottishwinter #getoutside #thisgirlcan #skiing #snowshoe #themountainpeople #instructordayoff

Day 2 at the @womensalpineadventureclub Scottish W

Day 2 at the @womensalpineadventureclub Scottish Winter Meet was much more…Scottish. Mixed weather but a more favourable avalanche forecast meant we could get in to Coire an t’Snaechda to dig some holes, jump around in the snow and learn about safe passage, good admin and navigation in winter. Thanks to @_jenny_dart_ for organising such a mammoth weekend, getting everyone here from all over the country and giving us the opportunity to work with some ace @ami_professionals women. It was fun to be teamed up with @samleary_mtn_leadingedge after a long hiatus, the last time we were out together in winter was for my Winter ML training!

I did some seal impressions, pointed a lot with my axe and demonstrated the honed and well practiced nose method for sending texts!

#thisgirlcan #textnose #winter #womensupportingwomen #thinkwinter #myclimbingstory #scottishhighlands #scottishwinter #wintermountaineering #wearerab #themountainsarecalling #themountainpeople #upskill #learnsomethingnew #seal #iceaxearrest 🦭

Follow on Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Tweets by rachcrewe