Rick Armitage
Rick Armitage began climbing "properly" (as he puts it) in 2001, though he had done a little before that in the army. He started on the gritstone outcrops, such as Baildon Bank, Ilkley Quarry, Caley and Almscliffe, around his home town of Farsley, near Leeds, and soon progressed to climbing in the Peak District, Wales, the Lake district and Scotland. Highlight ascents include Great North Road (HVS) at Millstone, Main Wall (S), Cyrn Las, Tophet Wall (HS), Great Gable and Tower Ridge in winter (IV), Ben Nevis. He has also been out to the alps and experienced the usual battles with the weather - routes include the Normal Route on the Miroir d'Argentine (5a+), the North Face (F) of Tête Blanche (3429m) and Cosmiques Arête (PD+) on the Aiguille du Midi (3842m). In 2014 Rick had a bad climbing accident which, despite not breaking any bones, put him in a coma for three weeks. He is still recovering from the brain injury it caused and continues to work at Needle Sports.
Rick heading towards the Gap, above the Great Tower on Tower Ridge (IV), Ben Nevis, under heavy snow conditions. (photo: Steve Ashworth)
Rick just above the crux moves on Kransic Crack Direct (HVS), Shepherd's Crag, Borrowdale. The English Lake District. (photo: Andy Robinson)
Rick, high above the valley floor, on the classic Agag's Groove (VD),
Buchaille Etive Mor, Glencoe, Scotland. (photo: 'Steve from the Youth Hostel')
Rick stretching out on the superb Wiley Sike (MS),
Spadeadam Crag, Cumbria. (photo: Stephen Reid)
Lakeland ice! Rick on a secret location in Langdale (IV 6) and Launchy Gill (III). (photos: Steve Ashworth)