10/02/2024
Broken crampon near the top of a WI5 pitch, perfect timing.
Stay calm,make yourself safe,figure out how to get down safely.
DK Climbing
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Owned and run by Donald King, DK Climbing is here to help you reconnect with nature, re-energise your spirit and enjoy world class climbing on the best crags and mountains in the UK and Norway.
30/01/2024
Meet the team. Robin has possible done more in Norway than anyone I know, so a great addition to the team.
Robin Thomas.
I have enjoyed climbing in its various forms for over thirty years. The combination of the physical and mental challenge, spending time in beautiful, inspiring places and the opportunity to step away from the busyness of modern life into a simpler and totally absorbing world is very hard to beat. A well known mountain guide once said that taking people climbing allowed them ‘the time and space to make sense of their lives.’ The reasons I enjoy my job are that I get the chance to pass on a little of what I’ve experienced and it is rewarding, especially in the modern world, to help people achieve their climbing goals as well as perhaps make a bit more ‘sense of their own lives.’
I have been visiting Norway regularly for over twenty years, I’ve lost count of the number of trips I’ve made. It is a beautiful and rugged country with many impressive mountains and cliffs. There is almost unlimited potential for exploratory climbing both summer and winter. All of this is on a manageable scale, without the issues of altitude and very accessible from the UK. Norway is without doubt my favourite place to visit, it has all the qualities an adventurous climber could ask for.
I first visited Aurland about ten years ago working on the infamous ‘Moran mountain’ courses that ran there. From an ice climbing perspective it is ‘world class’. On offer is everything from simple, introductory climbs to 800m climbs that would challenge the very best climbers. Within a short drive are various valleys, each with their own character and reasons to visit. There are roads that lead to higher altitudes allowing easy access, icy adventures during warmer spells. On top of all that the place continues to reveal quality new routes on almost every course. For an ice climber, these valleys of central southern Norway are a real gem and it is a pleasure and a privalege for me to visit time and time again.
26/01/2024
Meet the team. I met Guy when he was in his Twenties, it’s been great climbing with him all over the world and watching his journey to becoming a Guide.
Guy Steven.
I grew up in the Lake District, spent 15 years living in Scotland, I have now settled into living in the French Alps. As a keen climber and a Mountain Guide, living in the mountains is very important to me. The variety of my job is what I like the most. From rock climbing to Alpinism in the summer, powder skiing, ski touring to ice climbing in the winter. Teaching motivated guests and exploring places that are new to either me or my guests make my job really interesting.
What I like about ice climbing in Norway is the combination of a few things. The beauty of the country lends itself for great ice climbing conditions. With the high plateaus and baltic fjords, joined by steep faces and runnels provide the perfect recipe for ice climbing. We specifically use an area where there isn’t a printed guidebook, allowing us to feel the solitude and freedom that makes ice climbing much more enjoyable.
To summarise working and climbing around Aurland, the guiding team is some of the best I have worked with, the ice climbing is simply world class and the hot dogs can’t be missed! 🇳🇴
25/01/2024
Meet the clients. Here’s what Anthony thought about his trip to Aurland last year. Must of been good, he’s back for more this year. Hi Donald. I want to thank you for an excellent trip, well organised and delivered. Apart from the professionalism displayed by you and your colleagues, it was very inclusive and welcoming; very important for someone like me.
Of course, I’d also like to thank you for the kindness you showed with regard to my situation with my Dad, and the tuition too which was a real bonus.
It would be understandable to be overawed by people like you and your pals, but it was never a possibility as you put people at ease, and I never felt like I was just a client.
The best thing about the trip? Was that in whatever small way, I was able to claim kinship with men such as yourself. 🇳🇴
24/01/2024
Meet the team. John Orr. I’m an IFMGA Mountain Guide based in North Wales whose passion is climbing in all its varieties, all year round. Guiding takes me to spectacular places around the world to climb exceptional routes but it’s the people I climb with that make the experiences all the richer. Sharing common goals and shared interests with those I climb with allows us to share these spectacular places and routes and come away with shared memories and experiences. Norway provides reliable access to consistent, quality ice climbing, from single pitch to long multi pitch adventures. The main climbing areas all have their unique characteristics in terms of terrain and landscape.
21/01/2024
Don’t just take our word how good ice climbing is in Norway, here’s what Katya thinks.
This February, it will not be my first time returning to Aurland with dkclimbing. It was here that I fell in love with ice climbing and the unique set-up of these trips is to blame.
How to summarise it in one sentence… The immense sense of adventure against the backdrop of magnificent wild scenery; challenging yourself whilst being supported and encouraged by the guides; sharing stories of the day’s and past adventures in the evening… all of it is quite addictive.
There is something extremely satisfying about ice climbing. I think it is partly the ephemeral nature of the frozen waterfalls and partly the sport itself, which demands all of your strength and endurance, in return for leaving you feeling stronger, both physically and mentally, at the end of the trip.
But would I feel this way if I hadn’t been coming on dkclimbing trips to Aurland… let’s face it, I could not possibly separate ice climbing from weeks spent in Aurland, and would certainly have fewer close friends / adventure partners in my life! 🇳🇴
19/01/2024
Meet the team. Guy Buckingham is the most solid person to be in the mountains with, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him stressed, must come from being a retired Submarine commander. Guy Buckingham.
Norway is a winter playground like no other. It provides many opportunities with a remote feel, yet surprisingly accessible. I have always found the Norwegians helpful and supportive, making the whole experience enjoyable.
Aurland is like a secret getaway. Although only down the road from the very popular Hemsedal, seeing another climbing team in any of the local valleys has been rare. It feels like we are spoilt for choice with so many different types of ice climbing available over such an altitude range that even with the occasionally fickle conditions, fine climbing has always been available.
18/01/2024
I’m currently in Rjukan guiding Alex and Jesson, conditions are good with lots of ice building. I also have trips to Hemsledal and Aurland, but its not just me doing all the guiding I have a fantastic group of Guides and Mountaineering Instructors who come and guide on these trips. So offer the next few days I hope you enjoy meeting the team in their own words.
Dave Rudkin
Hi, my name is Dave and I’m an IFMGA mountain guide. I love to share climbing and skiing with people in wild places. For me, it’s about being in the right place, with the right person, at the right time. Trying to get everything pitched just right. That’s not always possible, but it’s fun trying, especially with a like minded person up for the adventure.
Ice climbing in Norway with DK Climbing is super special. It’s wild and remote, cold, and you rarely see anyone else climbing. The climbs are of exceptional quality, truly world class, and often unclimbed that season, so it always has an exploratory feel. Proper questing.
Aurland in particular is ideal as an ice climbing destination. The wild and remote setting, linked by an efficient network of roads and tunnels, only achievable by the Norwegian’s engineering prowess, make the optimal conditions, temperatures, and weather easy to find and reach. The accommodation facilities are second to none, making evenings and rest days just as special as the climbing. Nearby facilities like the micro brewery and sauna boat add to the charm provided by the mellow and hospitable locals.
Did I mention the hotdogs? Oh, and the world class ice climbing.
01/12/2023
Due to a last minute cancellation I have one place for this week climbing with another person. Give yourself a early Christmas present of a trip of a lifetime.
12/11/2023
Space for this week in Rjukan. Come and climb some great ice, learn all things ice climbing, plus how to control the pump.
12/11/2023
Last space on this week. If you want to come and have an adventure in Norway drop me a line. I’ve got one space for someone to join another client for 1:2 guiding in Aurland. 🇳🇴
15/10/2023
Don’t worry Keith we were paying attention. ❤️
08/10/2023
Climbing with these two legends today. Fingers and arms sore from climbing. Belly sore from laughing.
17/09/2023
Great fun day coaching and instructing at Tremadog, working for Sam and Cath at
16/09/2023
What’s not to like about climbing with these two legends. Great to catch up with Lou and Dave, and we even did a route of mine from the last century.
30/06/2023
Zugspitze traverse yesterday went on for ever. 11 hours to be exact, looking at the length and elevation gain it’s nearly half a Cuillin traverse. But it’s all the hard bits of the Cuillin the whole way for about 9 hours. Hard day mentally no room for a slip, one hour from the end, that’s exactly what I saw a Woman do as see disappeared off the ridge, luckily see tumbled for about forty feet and came to a stop, then her partner slipped and landed next to her. Both very lucky to walk away from that. More exciting end to the day than we expected. Well done to Becky and Hannah for looking after me. 🇩🇪
07/06/2023
Terror cave. .gay
guess where I am today?
19/05/2023
The dream team.
14/05/2023
I love soloing, only when I’m feeling good and the grades well within my ability. Reiff was lovely this afternoon.
28/04/2023
Just like to wish my good friends all the best for there trip to Thalay Sagar 6904m in the Garhwal Himalayas. Couldn’t think of a stronger team, with so much experience between them, I have learnt and laughed with Guy, Mike and Keith on so many climbs all of the world, sorry I can’t make this one. Just remember the sun cream, so you don’t look like this when you get back.
PS the photos of me after the worst Himalayan storm Martin Moran and I had ever been in, but that’s another story.
25/04/2023
Today was all about trusting your feet.
Up Great gully buttress and the down Lagangarbh buttress. Great to bump into on or way out, not seen him since we worked together looking after a princess, that’s another story.
23/04/2023
Great day in Glencoe with Chris. Going up to Big Top and Trapeze was a walk down memory lane for Chris how climbed them in 1986. Was also a walk down memory lane for me as I haven’t been up this scramble since I was assessed on it for my MIA last century.
18/04/2023
Great weather for climbing. Get in touch if there’s a route you want to do. #
10/04/2023
These courses are booking fast, come and have an adventure in Norway. Climbing some of the best ice in the world. Lots more information on my website www.dkclimbing.com
08/04/2023
Always good to climb with Big George. You can see why he’s called Big George in the second picture.
05/04/2023
Navigation course today with James and Emma. Perfect weather for it. Lots learned and even more to practice. Best bit of advice I could give at the end of the day was, go and get lost.
03/04/2023
It’s all about the people you have fun with. Sunny climbing with Mal and Hannah.
03/04/2023
Gogarth.
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Videos
Broken crampon near the top of a WI5 pitch, perfect timing. Stay calm,make yourself safe,figure out how to get down safely.#iceclimbing #norway#hemsedal #scarpa #petzlprofessional #climbing #selfrescue
@duncan.king.mtb showing me how it’s done! “Double dyno is a lifestyle” - Duncan King 20.10.22 #climbing #wales #havingfun #doubledyno
Higravtindan Lofotens highest peak. Amazing views. Get in touch if you want a Norwegian adventure summer or winter. Ice climbing courses in Hemsedal, Rjukan and Aurland. Mountaineering and climbing courses in Lofoten, Lyngen and Jotunheimen. Come and have an adventure.
Aurland adventures
Thanks to all the clients and guides who made this trip so successful. See you in 2023. Norway ice climbing courses on my website.
Last day of work in Scotland before three weeks in Norway. Still got some free dates in March if anyone wants some fun climbing in Scotland.
Today’s adventure with Keith. Another sociable day on the Ben. Note to self, don’t loose your van keys. #scottishwinterclimbing #bennevis #iceclimbing @dkclimbing
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