Inspiration – Digital Steak

Enough is enough – feeding the rat

Charley Radcliffe — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 07:28:49 +0000

Al Alvarez defined feeding the rat as: “the need to get out, to test yourself, to flush out the system, and, above all, to have some fun.” To feed that gnawing sensation in the pit of your stomach that drives our motivation for getting out and challenging ourselves, testing our limits and to quell our...

Running for the joy of running at the Cortina Trail

Charley Radcliffe — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:14:53 +0000

“You’ve just got to run for the enjoyment of it all; the views, the trails, the people..”, Seb Chaigneau’s words were rolling through my mind as I carried on pushing myself up the last major climb of the Cortina Trail, the middle distance course at The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail. I felt good – sure,...

True grit at the Lavaredo Ultra Trail – part 2

Charley Radcliffe — Sat, 09 Jul 2016 06:33:43 +0000

As Mike left the first aid station, to say I was worried, is an understatement. Here he was, 33km into the 119km of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail and he was suffering from food poisoning – I was unable to even get off the sofa when I had something similar yet here he was, with 86km to...

True grit at the Lavaredo Ultra Trail – part 1

Charley Radcliffe — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 06:55:49 +0000

We’re 103km into the enormous 119km of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail and Mike Foote crosses the brow of a hill with Rory Bosio and they jog their way into the last aid station. They both smile. It is clear they are still suffering but somehow they are both still smiling, both still cracking jokes, and both...

An Interview with David Goettler

Charley Radcliffe — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 15:34:52 +0000

David Göttler is an IFMGA mountain guide and professional athlete who splits his time between Spain and Chamonix, France. He has been on a massive 31 expeditions and is currently camped out at the South Face of Shisha Pangma with Ueli Steck, waiting for a weather window to attempt a bold new route. He kindly took...

The mind is a muscle

Charley Radcliffe — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:28:38 +0000

The mind is a muscle and, if you don’t use it, it atrophies. I have taken the foot off the gas a little recently in all aspects of my life. I’ve needed to regroup and also just take it easy for a while. I’ve been focussing on fun things like skiing, moderate climbing, and just...

Adventure with a capital A

Charley Radcliffe — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 13:15:00 +0000

It is not news that I have made massive changes in my life to pursue more adventures. These have been challenging, fun, exciting, scary, and more. I have pushed myself to my limits and set out into the unknown, savouring every moment of it. These have all been amazing adventures for me, new steps into...

Embracing change

Charley Radcliffe — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 13:49:20 +0000

I have experienced a lot of change over the last 12 months. In fact, looking back on where I was last March to today, it is hard to recognise the life I had as my own. For all the change I have embraced, it has not got any easier nor any less scary. I have...

Climbers Against Cancer – an interview with John Ellison

Charley Radcliffe — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 12:16:35 +0000

I first met John Ellison at the Chamonix Mountain Festival as both of us were giving a helping hand to the brands setting up their (somewhat complex) stands. We chatted away in the morning sun with me being none-the-wiser to who this happy go lucky and friendly man was. As we carried on chatting over...

I want to be a Mountain Athlete, everything else will come from there

Charley Radcliffe — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 10:05:44 +0000

I love being in the mountains. That combination of the physical, mental, and emotional pressures make me feel truly alive. To make the most of it, and to stay safe there, I want to be a mountain athlete. The buzz, strength, and determination I have developed in the mountains has turned into a true asset in...