In March Andy Cave was invited to represent the UK at an international climbing meet in the Lofoten Islands, Arctic Norway. The organisers, The Norwegian Alpine Club, hoped that elite climbers from around the world could explore this almost untouched winter, wilderness. 

Using vehicles with steel studded tyres and high powered speed boats the teams were able to access the most remote parts of these dramatic mountains.  With his climbing partner Dave Hesleden, Andy made three significant first ascents climbing on 2000 foot vertical ice walls, often rising straight out of the ocean.  The climb on the north face of Rulten was the most challenging.  The pair reached the summit just an hour before nightfall, in deteriorating weather, including heavy snowfall.  The descent was complex in limited visibility, but when the pair finally did reach the shore the waiting fisherman produced bottles of beer to celebrate! 

"To survive here in winter you need the full array of mountaineering skills, but the rewards are magnificent.  It was true exploration."  Andy Cave