big wall Archives – Tim Howell

The longest climb in Africa

timdhowell@googlemail.com Climbing, Travel November 22, 2019May 5, 2020adventure, africa, big wall, bigwall, chambe, climbing, malawi, mount mulanje, trad climbing, west face

I was dropped off at the Mozambique/Malawi border by a three strong gang of motorbike riders – I had a lot of kit. Behind the haze huge granite domes loomed in the distance, a seemingly endless amount of granite. I was surprised how swiftly my visa was issued but before both feet left the room I was ushered back in to see a ministry of health representative. After much rustling of papers he mentioned my paperwork wasn’t in order, but five dollars would fix this problem.

Between the Sea and the Sky

timdhowell@googlemail.com BASEjumping, Climbing, Travel October 20, 2019May 5, 2020base jump, base jumping, big wall, climbing, greenland, trad climbing, wingsuit

Growing up I was surrounded by sailing. I would walk to nursery along the foreshore listening to the cables slapping against the masts. But while my friends grew up to become national champions and presidents of the local clubs, I instead looked up to the mountains. On ski holidays I would gaze up at the snowy summits and wish to climb them without the use of lifts. As a christening present a family friend promised me a set of sailing waterproofs when I came of age, and on my 21st birthday he reminded me of this offer. Instead I asked for a contribution towards my first parachute.