As I write this newsletter the rain is drumming relentlessly against the climbing hut window here on the west coast of Scotland and I am feeling resigned that maybe, just maybe, the Scottish winter climbing season is finally over. Spring beckons.

Not that I can complain. A few weeks back I climbed an absolute beast of a classic, Point Five Gully V 5 on Ben Nevis. Three pitches of beautiful intricate ice climbing that my partner Diccon and I luckily bagged just before a turbo thaw set in.

I’ve since been poking around the Nevis and Glen Coe mountain ranges for the last few scraps of snow to gain the final winter mountain days needed to go for my International Mountain Leader training.

With this qualification I’ll be able to lead groups overseas on photography trips for which I have some very interesting ideas. More on that later.

Diccon leading the charge up the third pitch ‘the Rogue’ of classic Point Five Gully.

This month I’m sharing the perfect film to get excited about Scottish winter skiing, a book to think differently about wealth and thoughts on how finding a mentor can appear in places least expected.

On top of The Ben with Diccon Proctor & Paul Day after climbing the classic Tower Ridge IV 3.

What I’m Reading

Poverty Proof - Douglas Kruger

Over the last month as I’ve built my adventure portfolio I’ve also looked to reframe my mindset on how money is traditionally made in business and to consider other innovative wealth building methods.

In this book the author advocates for the removal of emotion, politics and the clutter from his thoughts about wealth, and goes straight to the heart of one simple issue: what it genuinely takes to become rich.

His Youtube channel is also worth a look.

Music I’m Diggin

Unlimited Love - Red Hot Chili Peppers

It’s been sixteen years since John Frusciante quit the The Red Hot Chili Peppers after their 2006 grammy award winning album Stadium Arcadium.

Finally, in 2019 it was announced he was rejoining the band and all fanboys like me rejoiced. Unlimited Love was released this week and is a return to form of the chilis I love.

Although not having the feeling of Californication, or the hits from By the Way, Unlimited Love is definitely worth a listen. I suggest you start with Whatchu Thinkin’. Air guitars are expected.

Technique

Double Exposure

I was playing with the nice new camera OM Systems sent me the other day and found a nifty feature for taking double exposures which can be blended into a single image in camera.

I’ve found double exposures a fantastic way to transform an otherwise pleasant yet boring scene into something more interesting. Too often driving through Scotland I will see a pleasing scene of a loch framed against the mountains which although beautiful in its own right is not necessarily interesting.

Cue the double exposure. I was messing around on the shores of Loch Laggan last week and not happy with the bland images being produced. I had an idea and decided to shoot an exposure of the landscape and then one of the surface texture in the water. The result was the above image and for me much more engaging.

What do you think?

Who I’m Following

Adam King

Adam King is an American surf photographer based on Amelia Island, Florida with a passion for capturing his love of the ocean and the connection we all share with it.

I first came across Adam’s work whilst looking for Scottish surfers on an upcoming wild surf project and was immediately drawn to his dreamy and evocative surf imagery that walks the fine line between reality and imagination.

Check him out here.

What I’m Watching

Every Few Winters

When the days grow shorter, and skiers begin to dream of their favourite pistes and perfect powder days, it’s not often that they imagine the Scottish Highlands. Yet for those in the know, Scotland is an obsession. A foggy, dented gem, beautiful in its own way; not for its clarity or perfection, but for its obscurity and esoteric nature.

From the misty peaks of Glen Shiel with seasoned steep skiers Pete Mackenzie, Dave Searle and Hamish Frost, to the Back Corries and scoured slopes of Aonach Mor with 4-year-old Murray, 'Every Few Winters' explores the quirky, unique community of Scottish skiers who epitomise dedication to their sport and an unrivalled tenacity.

Quote I’m Pondering

For a long time I looked for a mentor in photography. I wrote to successful photographers in the hope that they could help me figure out this gordian knot of a career I had chosen.

Sometimes I received a reply, mostly none at all. I got it. They were busy people and no doubt received dozens of similar emails. In the end I thought sod it and decided to teach myself what I needed to know.

I learnt an important lesson there. Mentors don’t have to be living flesh and blood. It could be the author of a book that inspires, or a speaker that moves you. You will find mentors in the materials you seek answers to.

The truly beautiful thing too, is as you progress further down your path mentors can appear in the strangest of places. Like after all attracts like.

If there’s anything you’d like to see more of or have a suggestion for the newsletter I’m all ears.

Have a good one,

Alex