I've always enjoyed spending time by myself.
When I’m alone I can do anything I want and no-one knows.
I chose The Diamond of Long’s Peak for my first big solo.
I saved money...
... by buying old gear.
I saved weight...
... by not bringing enough food or spare clothes.
And I had the route to myself...
... because I didn’t check the weather forecast.
I found a nice ledge half way up, and settled in for the night.
But then a massive storm thundered over the mountain...
... and the route turned into a waterfall...
... which froze.
It wasn’t the best night’s sleep.
I chose El Cap as my next solo mission.
I saved money...
... by not buying a portaledge.
I had the route to myself...
... because it was over 100°F.
I saved weight...
... by not bringing enough water.
And I saved time...
... by not learning the proper skills.
My haulbag was stuck, again, 30 meters below.
I had to abseil down to dislodge it.
I chose to descend on the other end of the haul rope.
I didn’t back myself up with the lead rope.
I reached the haulbag with just enough rope and pulled it from the crack.
But I’d made a marvellous error.
Weighing much less than me, the haulbag rocketed 30 meters up towards the belay, while I fell in the opposite direction.
It was the fastest haul I’ve ever done.
I exhausted my water supply the next day.
And crawled onto the summit the day after that.
On the top of El Cap, there was nothing there.
I’d found what I was looking for.
