‘What are you doing next?’
Cathy O'Dowd2020-05-23T20:36:46+02:00“What are you doing next?” I hate that question. I know why you ask. I’ve asked it myself, talking to climbers or adventurers I admire, and winced inwardly as I [...]
From Kilimanjaro to Everest
Cathy O'Dowd2020-05-23T16:35:19+02:00Key moments in the journey of life. Looking back at the course of a lifetime, there are certain moments where, if you’d made a different choice, you’d be living [...]
Nanga Parbat Mazeno ridge expedition
Cathy O'Dowd2020-04-29T14:17:10+02:002012 was primarily the year of the Nanga Parbat Mazeno ridge expedition. From the invitation from Sandy Allan to join the team, back in January, to the expedition itself in [...]
Bolivian Andes Corderilla Real
Cathy O'Dowd2020-05-17T16:40:46+02:00In June 1991 I joined the Mountain Club of South Africa's Centenary Expedition to the Corderilla Real in Bolivia. There I climbed with Stephen Kelsey and Graham Wittaker, both [...]
En route to Everest via Aconcagua
Cathy O'Dowd2020-05-17T15:54:06+02:00In February 1998 I attempted Aconcagua by the standard route but turned back at Berlin camp to help less experienced team members descend in bad weather. In January 2000 [...]
Ruwenzori: the mountains of the moon
Cathy O'Dowd2020-04-27T20:51:10+02:00In June 1990 I went on my first mountaineering expedition, to the Ruwenzori mountains in central Africa. This range has been linked with the fabled Mountains of the Moon, for [...]
Ribbon of Ice: climbing the Lhotse couloir
Cathy O'Dowd2020-05-17T16:44:57+02:00Pemba’s headlight wavered weakly in the inky darkness. The snow glittered in its beam, the surface deceptively crisp. Once more he stepped upward. Once more the surface broke and [...]
Why take the risk?
Cathy O'Dowd2020-04-28T10:07:20+02:00In January of 1992 I was sharing a flat in London with Stephen Kelsey, Graham Wittaker and his girlfriend Carolyn. On the wall of our room I found a [...]