DK Climbing

30/03/2024

10/02/2024

Broken crampon near the top of a WI5 pitch, perfect timing.
Stay calm,make yourself safe,figure out how to get down safely.

30/01/2024

Meet the team. Robin has possible done more in Norway than anyone I know, so a great addition to the team.
Robin Thomas.
I have enjoyed climbing in its various forms for over thirty years. The combination of the physical and mental challenge, spending time in beautiful, inspiring places and the opportunity to step away from the busyness of modern life into a simpler and totally absorbing world is very hard to beat. A well known mountain guide once said that taking people climbing allowed them ‘the time and space to make sense of their lives.’ The reasons I enjoy my job are that I get the chance to pass on a little of what I’ve experienced and it is rewarding, especially in the modern world, to help people achieve their climbing goals as well as perhaps make a bit more ‘sense of their own lives.’
I have been visiting Norway regularly for over twenty years, I’ve lost count of the number of trips I’ve made. It is a beautiful and rugged country with many impressive mountains and cliffs. There is almost unlimited potential for exploratory climbing both summer and winter. All of this is on a manageable scale, without the issues of altitude and very accessible from the UK. Norway is without doubt my favourite place to visit, it has all the qualities an adventurous climber could ask for.
I first visited Aurland about ten years ago working on the infamous ‘Moran mountain’ courses that ran there. From an ice climbing perspective it is ‘world class’. On offer is everything from simple, introductory climbs to 800m climbs that would challenge the very best climbers. Within a short drive are various valleys, each with their own character and reasons to visit. There are roads that lead to higher altitudes allowing easy access, icy adventures during warmer spells. On top of all that the place continues to reveal quality new routes on almost every course. For an ice climber, these valleys of central southern Norway are a real gem and it is a pleasure and a privalege for me to visit time and time again.

26/01/2024

Meet the team. I met Guy when he was in his Twenties, it’s been great climbing with him all over the world and watching his journey to becoming a Guide.
Guy Steven.

I grew up in the Lake District, spent 15 years living in Scotland, I have now settled into living in the French Alps. As a keen climber and a Mountain Guide, living in the mountains is very important to me. The variety of my job is what I like the most. From rock climbing to Alpinism in the summer, powder skiing, ski touring to ice climbing in the winter. Teaching motivated guests and exploring places that are new to either me or my guests make my job really interesting.
What I like about ice climbing in Norway is the combination of a few things. The beauty of the country lends itself for great ice climbing conditions. With the high plateaus and baltic fjords, joined by steep faces and runnels provide the perfect recipe for ice climbing. We specifically use an area where there isn’t a printed guidebook, allowing us to feel the solitude and freedom that makes ice climbing much more enjoyable.
To summarise working and climbing around Aurland, the guiding team is some of the best I have worked with, the ice climbing is simply world class and the hot dogs can’t be missed! 🇳🇴

25/01/2024

Meet the clients. Here’s what Anthony thought about his trip to Aurland last year. Must of been good, he’s back for more this year. Hi Donald. I want to thank you for an excellent trip, well organised and delivered. Apart from the professionalism displayed by you and your colleagues, it was very inclusive and welcoming; very important for someone like me.

Of course, I’d also like to thank you for the kindness you showed with regard to my situation with my Dad, and the tuition too which was a real bonus.

It would be understandable to be overawed by people like you and your pals, but it was never a possibility as you put people at ease, and I never felt like I was just a client.

The best thing about the trip? Was that in whatever small way, I was able to claim kinship with men such as yourself. 🇳🇴

24/01/2024

Meet the team. John Orr. I’m an IFMGA Mountain Guide based in North Wales whose passion is climbing in all its varieties, all year round. Guiding takes me to spectacular places around the world to climb exceptional routes but it’s the people I climb with that make the experiences all the richer. Sharing common goals and shared interests with those I climb with allows us to share these spectacular places and routes and come away with shared memories and experiences. Norway provides reliable access to consistent, quality ice climbing, from single pitch to long multi pitch adventures. The main climbing areas all have their unique characteristics in terms of terrain and landscape.

21/01/2024

Don’t just take our word how good ice climbing is in Norway, here’s what Katya thinks.

This February, it will not be my first time returning to Aurland with dkclimbing. It was here that I fell in love with ice climbing and the unique set-up of these trips is to blame.

How to summarise it in one sentence… The immense sense of adventure against the backdrop of magnificent wild scenery; challenging yourself whilst being supported and encouraged by the guides; sharing stories of the day’s and past adventures in the evening… all of it is quite addictive.

There is something extremely satisfying about ice climbing. I think it is partly the ephemeral nature of the frozen waterfalls and partly the sport itself, which demands all of your strength and endurance, in return for leaving you feeling stronger, both physically and mentally, at the end of the trip.

But would I feel this way if I hadn’t been coming on dkclimbing trips to Aurland… let’s face it, I could not possibly separate ice climbing from weeks spent in Aurland, and would certainly have fewer close friends / adventure partners in my life! 🇳🇴

19/01/2024

Meet the team. Guy Buckingham is the most solid person to be in the mountains with, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him stressed, must come from being a retired Submarine commander. Guy Buckingham.
Norway is a winter playground like no other. It provides many opportunities with a remote feel, yet surprisingly accessible. I have always found the Norwegians helpful and supportive, making the whole experience enjoyable.
Aurland is like a secret getaway. Although only down the road from the very popular Hemsedal, seeing another climbing team in any of the local valleys has been rare. It feels like we are spoilt for choice with so many different types of ice climbing available over such an altitude range that even with the occasionally fickle conditions, fine climbing has always been available.

18/01/2024

I’m currently in Rjukan guiding Alex and Jesson, conditions are good with lots of ice building. I also have trips to Hemsledal and Aurland, but its not just me doing all the guiding I have a fantastic group of Guides and Mountaineering Instructors who come and guide on these trips. So offer the next few days I hope you enjoy meeting the team in their own words.

Dave Rudkin
Hi, my name is Dave and I’m an IFMGA mountain guide. I love to share climbing and skiing with people in wild places. For me, it’s about being in the right place, with the right person, at the right time. Trying to get everything pitched just right. That’s not always possible, but it’s fun trying, especially with a like minded person up for the adventure.

Ice climbing in Norway with DK Climbing is super special. It’s wild and remote, cold, and you rarely see anyone else climbing. The climbs are of exceptional quality, truly world class, and often unclimbed that season, so it always has an exploratory feel. Proper questing.

Aurland in particular is ideal as an ice climbing destination. The wild and remote setting, linked by an efficient network of roads and tunnels, only achievable by the Norwegian’s engineering prowess, make the optimal conditions, temperatures, and weather easy to find and reach. The accommodation facilities are second to none, making evenings and rest days just as special as the climbing. Nearby facilities like the micro brewery and sauna boat add to the charm provided by the mellow and hospitable locals.

Did I mention the hotdogs? Oh, and the world class ice climbing.

01/12/2023

Due to a last minute cancellation I have one place for this week climbing with another person. Give yourself a early Christmas present of a trip of a lifetime.

12/11/2023

Space for this week in Rjukan. Come and climb some great ice, learn all things ice climbing, plus how to control the pump.

12/11/2023

Last space on this week. If you want to come and have an adventure in Norway drop me a line. I’ve got one space for someone to join another client for 1:2 guiding in Aurland. 🇳🇴