A graduate in business management, Robert is a 38 year old business systems consultant based in London.
He started rock climbing on the Maltese crags 20 years ago when coloured lycra tights were fashionable and rock climbing gear was heavy. He ticked a number of trad first ascents and he has yet to drill and fix his first bolt. Robert is an avid traveller, trekker and all round climber.
The first rock climbing trip to Chamonix in 1992 sparked the initial appetite for alpine and mixed climbing. From then on, it was winter trips to Cairngorms and Nevis ranges in Scotland and getting to grips with Peak grit stone. His travels have taken him rock climbing to Krabi in Thailand, Joshua Tree in the US and Mt Arapiles and Blue Mountains in Australia, volcano bagging in Indonesia and alpine climbing in the European Alps. Robert has also trekked and climbed in Sikkim, Garhwal, Lahaul and Spiti in India; the Karakorum mountains in Pakistan and Annapurna sanctuary in Nepal. Robert moved to Vancouver, Canada in 1997 and spent time climbing on the big granite walls of Squamish and trekking in the Coast mountains.
Robert went back to Nepal in 2007, climbing Mera Peak (6476m) and on to Island Peak (6189m) crossing the technical Amphu Lapcha La (5780m). In 2008, Robert climbed Mt Kinabalu (4096m) in the Malaysian Borneo and attempted Elbrus (5642m) in the Caucasus, Russia – the highest peak in Europe, turning back 200m from the summit due to bad weather and severe freezing conditions.
Robert says he climbs because “every single climb is an experience worth treasuring. And when the mountain allows you to gain its summit, the personal reward is unsurpassed. An 8000m mountain will test one’s limits to the full. High altitude climbing is about going through barriers you have never thought possible – physical but more importantly mental. You approach these mountains with humility, accept what they throw at you and make sure you live to go climbing again."