Report from Ronan Duddy

A little summary of the year.

Early March

Skiing in Austria for a week with Fiona, and brother (plus partner) and my friend. Sant Anton was the venue. I had not skied before and it was utterly brutal. Snow plow turns felt like turning a container ship. Fell a lot, surprised I didn’t break anything. Fiona had skied before and did great. By the end of the week I was getting the hang of parallel turns.

Early May

Climbfest at Malin Beg. Fiona didn’t climb as in the first trimester. I climbed a lot with George, did some great climbs (thanks George!). Seconded one of Warren Poots’ E2s with a Welsh climber .

Mid May

Climbed at Lower cove.

Spent the weekend at Fairhead camping and climbing. Finally succeeded on a popular multipitch route a friend and I had bailed on spectacularly last year (slight epic on that occasion where we left the house at about 8am and got home at 3am). This time the route went smoothly. The following day I did more climbing with George. Post on weekend: Weekend-at-fairhead

Went climbing at Dalkey sometime before the ban during the year too… can’t remember when.

Late May, Early June

Fairhead meet. Talk by Hazel Findley. George and I paired up for more climbing (in the rain!). David peddling CCC guidebooks. Post on CCC website: Fairhead-meet-may-2025

Fiona and Ronan Small Crag Fairhead 

Mid July

MI meet in Chamonix. Our first time. Stayed for a week. Did some walks, climbed with Marcin and watched the climbing world cup. Fairly relaxed time given pregnancy. Chamonix/alps seem family friendly which is good to know.

End of Aug

Climbed at Fairhead. Took the furthest fall I’ve ever taken in my life, inches away from the top of Thunderhips at the Prow. Was starting to feel like a caged animal towards the top and didn’t have big enough cams for the final part. Left heel and back still a little sore.

Ronan on Midnight Cruiser Prow Fairhead 

End of Nov

Baby is due. All’s going well thankfully.