Twenty-five and still alive

Twenty five is by no means old, and I'd like to think not even at my prime. However, this is an age that has made me think about the last five years; what have I achieved? Where am I heading? What do I hope to accomplish in the next five years? This all sounds very much like a boring new years' resolution blog, but I hope it's much more than that. I hope it's the start of my next phase of adventure, a time when I have come to truly realise that if you want to achieve great things, there is only one person you have to turn to in order to get the ball rolling - yourself.

Don't get me wrong, the last five years have been awesome. I have been with Millie for nearly the same amount of time - which has been incredible - and I'm now employed doing something I have done as a hobby for the last ten years. So I couldn't be a pilot due to colourblindness, but in 2010 when I returned from my 8-month trip, I came to the point where I had to decide what I wanted to do. Video Production seemed like the logical thing to get into given my background with filming skateboarding for the last six years, and the dream of 'starting a video production company was born.

I don't think back then I had any idea about some of the things I would have to do in order to eventually be filming for a living. It was certainly a lot more hard work than simply buying a decent camera... and luck was definitely a big part of it too, but here I am, and I am very thankful for that.

Where is this all going?

Basically, for the last five years, I've done a lot of great things, but I don't think I've done enough of the one thing that gets harder and harder to achieve as you move on through life (unless you take the right steps to make it happen) - adventure.

I've kept up my passion of reading mountaineering books and fantasising about the great routes to the point where sometimes it feels like I have climbed them myself and over the last few months I've had a real hunger to go and do something similar to what I've always been reading about - train for an expedition or climb, go out and do it and come back with a story to tell.

Some of the things I read are and always will be out of my reach, such as the North Face of The Eiger; ridiculously dangerous and exposed. There are some routes however that seem much more achievable through a respectable amount of hard work and dedication.

In order to kick-start this dream, I will further build my climbing skills throughout this summer - in fact, I am going to North Wales again in a couple of weeks - and develop my snow and ice skills come winter, and then my first big adventure will be to try and summit the highest peak in the Alps - Mont Blanc.

This is a peak that is very accessible to a reasonably fit individual, and through a guided accent is a very good way to learn more about high altitude mountaineering and dealing with real snow and ice based situations - not to mention the incredible view from the top.

On our 'family holiday' in Switzerland last month, we ventured out to Chamonix and took the mountain lift up to the Aiguille Du Midi - a peak that neighbours Mont Blanc. This was a good chance to see the route close up and experience the high altitude environment. It was really quite amazing and I can't wait to be on the other side of the viewing platform ice-axe in hand.

My next post will most likely be after Wales, where we will attempt Tryfan once again and a first for me - Crib Goch and possibly the Snowdon Horseshoe.

Fittingly, I'll close this post with a photograph Millie and I in front of Mont Blanc itself, as I lose all dignity in the favour of the practicality that comes with a selfie-stick.

Switzerland 2014 | One Week In The Mountains

Last summer's trip to Switzerland has been edited into a short film cut together from various GoPro and DSLR clips - enjoy!

Switzerland 2014 | One Week In The Mountains from Santiago Pilgrim on Vimeo.

Off to Wales for the second time in a week today so hopefully some more footage will be out soon!

Cheers!

Santiago.

The first of many. Well, that's the plan at least.

Ben and I pedalled off from Tunbridge Wells a little later than expected, it was gone one o'clock when we gave up waiting on Max and decided to meet him en-route at the Old Vine in Cousley Wood. 40 minutes later we had arrived - thirsty, tired, and shocked at how long the first 4 miles had taken us. We had to do 26 more before sundown. The kit on my pannier weighed probably the best part of 30 kilos and Ben was riding a BMX.

Max joined us shortly after we ordered our drinks and we chatted for a while about how each of us had prepared for the journey - it was clear that I had been the most prepared person by buying a pannier and setting it with more than two hours to spare - Max was hungover and had only just finished bolting his bike together. Still, with the spirt of adventure fresh in our hearts and dreams of sandy beaches and cold beers, we set off once again.

It was hard going, harder than what I ever expected. It took a lot of determination one some of the hills, and it seemed impossible on others, but once we got a rhythm going we made some progress. We reached Hawkhurst - just under half-way - by about 5 o'clock. Of course, we had a pint and relaxed for a while.

The weather was pleasant with no wind or rain, we were able to keep plodding along at a steady pace. Slow, but steady. It wasn't until after 7 o'clock that we reached Rye, with still 5 miles to go.

Google estimated the trip to take 2 hours 44 minutes - yeah, right!

We arrived at Camber Sands with just enough time to pitch our tents before dark.

Sleeping on the sand wasn't as comfortable as I predicted - next time I will try digging out a bed.

We cycled down to the sea and Ben even had the courage to swim in it. I am normally the one to step up to such challenge but I must admit; it was cold and I was very dry and comfortable, and with a 30 mile ride back with already beaten up thighs, I didn't want to add to my burden.

The ride back took a while, stopping at pubs was again our only paradise in a world of pain - okay that's a bit dramatic, but it was nice to stop for a few drinks :)

Although it did pour down briefly, we avoided any significant rain. We arrived back in Tunbridge Wells just before sundown. I felt tired, but alive and full of the good spirit that you get after completing and adventure.

This was a tiny ride in comparison to what I am proposing to do next year. In fact what we did in two days, I am going to need to do in half a day, six times over.

I will try and improve my stamina and speed over the next few months. I have been running almost every week since the ride and I'm not up to 10 miles, I have also been swimming and I've kept up my weekly rock climbing outings. Of course I have also been cycling to work which doesn't seem like much, but has helped dramatically when cycling uphill - it is now a lot easier and I believe it is these obstacles that slow down progress in a long ride.

Hope you enjoyed reading this - click play to watch the footage from my GoPro of the ride. I will keep you updated on my training!

Santiago.

What is it that makes someone plan a new adventure?

Perhaps it's the challenge, the feeling of accomplishment, the desire to explore or maybe just a way of breaking the everyday routine with something extraordinary.

I have found my next adventure, and it is something that I've never really done before. It's something that will require a lot of training, and perhaps build towards something bigger in the future.

In 2015, I am going to cycle the Three Peaks Challenge in less than three days.

Three Peaks Challenge Route - National Geographic

This involves climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, cycling over 300 miles to the Peak Disctrict, climbing Scafell Pike then cycling a further 140 miles to Snowdonia and climbing Snowdon - all in under 72 hours.

I have never cycled any more than just a few miles, but after reading books like Cycling Home From Siberia by Rob Lilwall, I have been inspired in this method of travel. The freedom to be able to travel cheaply, choosing your route and facing the elements along the way.

My training will involve a series of shorter trips, which will not only get my build my strength but also help me to become efficient in camping/carrying kit and everything else that a cycling trip will involve.

I will start the training by a trip to Camber Sands - at just 30 miles each way, it will be a great way to start this amazing adventure.

I will let you know how I get on!
Santiago.

Beats' USA Bike Ride

"I’ll stick out my thumb and I'll trudge down the highway
Someday someone must be going my way home
Till then I’ll make my bed from a disused car
With a mattress of leaves and a blanket of stars
And I’ll stitch the words into my heart with a needle and thread 

Don’t you cry for the lost
Smile for the living
Get what you need and give what you’re given
You know life’s for the living so live it
Or you’re better off dead"

It's particularly those last two lines that strike me from this song, it reminds me just how important it is to do the things you love, no matter how dangerous, difficult, or out of the ordinary they might be. Because if you're not living life to its full potential, then you are wasting your time on this beautiful earth. 

Come May this year a friend of mine, Rob Beattie, will be cycling the length of North America on his own, in just 10 weeks. He is funding the trip by himself and raising money for Cancer Research - which is obviously one of the best causes out there. He has never done anything like this before and I'd like to take this opportunity to say; I admire what you're doing, I am extremely jealous, and I hope it goes well and you have the time of your life - I know you will! 

If you don't have the money right now then simply share the link to Rob's website, if you do, then donate at least a couple of pounds of an amazing cause, but most of all, remember to live your life how you want to live it and be happy!

Donate here.

Follow Rob on his journey here.

560 Miles - 3559 Feet - 11Km

Setting off at 4.30am, we drove through a couple of storms towards Snowdonia where we found a beautifully decorated Snowdon with just a touch of white stuff visible on the upper slopes. Certainly nothing like what we experienced back in April but there was one element that made this day challenging in its own right - 100mph winds on the summit.

We took the Pyg track which in fine conditions is a very easy route. However, the strong gusts of wind made this route very interesting, with slippery ice as you reached the ridge on the last section. We made it despite all this and ticked off yet another summit on what has - in 2013 at least - proved to be a very versatile mountain with a range of challenges to throw at us.

We climbed with a highly experienced Norwegian pair, Sissel Smaller and her partner Petter. We met them as we set off and spent the day with them, not only are they incredibly friendly people but their knowledge and stories from their many climbs, including the '7 summits', made for some awesome conversations throughout the day.

We made it up there in what was for myself at least, a personal best. 2 hours up 2 and half down, we then came back down safely and drove the long but completely worth it journey home back to Kent.

Pyg track.

Scouting the route.

On the ridge.

Summit - Santiago, Sam & Roy.

The Spartan Run? Well, it was bloody hard.

With a slight delay, I can now report back on how I found the 'Spartan Run' in November.

It was hard. It was freezing cold. It was raining, a lot. No one told you how far along you were so there was no sense of proximity to the finish, only sketchy rumours from fellow speculative Spartans. By the end I could barely run anymore, totally exhausted, knackered. I don't think I've ever been so worn out before. It was awesome...and would I do it again? Yes, anytime! It was an incredible and somewhat unexpected challenge as Tough Muddder was so easy in comparison.

Tomorrow morning I'm on the road to North Wales with Sam again, should be good to catch up as he's been in South Sudan since I last saw him in April. A couple of other chaps are coming along too including Roy who I ran Tough Mudder and Spartan with, so it should be a good day. The weather is forecast to be absolutely awful so a navigational challenge lies ahead, and we're very much looking forward to it.

The plan is to do the Pyg track, to Snowdon summit and back. We were hoping for something more challenging but there is serious wind and rain to take into account so it may end up challenging enough!

Traviajero.com is back!

On a completely different note, you may remember that a few years ago the blog was under traviajero.com. I since lost the domain due to my failure to renew it. The bastards who subsequently bought it made some sort of random travel site out of it, which obviously didn't do very well because I've just spotted the domain up for grabs again, and I'm pleased to say I've got it back!

Traviajero is a mixture of the word traveller and the spanish word with the same meaning, viajero. I thought of this before my big trip in 2009 and although it was more fitting back then, I am going to revert back to this domain as it reflects my passion for travel, be it a day-trip to Snowdon or 8 months in the Americas, I will always be up for an adventure.

Expensive challenges

We embark on a new challenge next weekend, and after completing an 8.5 mile run in the pouring rain yesterday, I wondered whether that's enough training or not. I must confess that whilst it was a challenge, ToughMudder was simply not tough enough for how it was marketed. Let's hope the 'Spartan Beast' has a bit more in store for us!

 I have ordered an extra battery for the GoPro, so you can expect to see us suffering in a video soon!

In between other things, I've started a park edit from the various skate missions recently. It's looking good and has some consecutive bangers from Ash and Danny and the rest of the crew. The full lengther is looking good too and footage is slowly but surely accumulating.

It's been a while

"It's been a while since I've set some time aside to write a blog post, and since then a few things have changed."

My career has taken a more direct approach into filming with a role in a local PR company - I am running the video and producing work for corporate clients local and beyond. It is really exiting to be developing my skills and achieving better and better results through work, not to mention the more convenient office hours!

Of course, I am still filming a few freelance jobs. At the moment it is a music video for a local reggae artist, Jack Curtis - the song is really catchy and we've put some good ideas to work so watch this space. As I settle into my full-time job I will be finding more and more freelance to develop the all important portfolio. 

Five years ago I didn't really know where my life was going. I wanted to be an airline pilot but found out being colourblind the chances of ever putting the dream into practice were slim at best. I saved some money and hit the road. For the last three years I have been developing something I have been doing since my early teens - video production. Although it has evolved from skateboarding into weddings, music videos, events and last week a boat party - the core interest is still there and I am really chuffed with some of the footage we've been producing locally for a full length blu-ray skate video I'm working on. It's great fun going on filming missions and there's always interesting stories to be heard. Whether its Ash having a mare with an electricity box or Luke feeling disappointed in a car park in Tonbridge, we'll always have a laugh. Head over to crabface.co.uk for more on this and watch this space for a few trailers in the coming months.

I have a week off in August. Millie (princess) and I are heading to Switzerland for some camping and relaxing, I want to try and get some time lapses of the Bernese Alps and the surrounding peaks. Let's hope we're greeted with some of the great weather we've been blessed with here!

I won't be doing any climbing in Switzerland as I will be with Millie so I'll leave you with some photos taken in April whilst on a trip to a snow covered Snowdon in North Wales. Sam Evans and I loaded the car up and took base at some shelter he'd found near Capel Curig. It was a good find and we had incredible fun climbing in the ice and snow for the first time - the exposure got the better of me at times but man it was beautiful.

 Summit

In a true mountaineering style,
Sam approaches Crib Goch - that s**t was gnarly!

South

Dinner

The A4086 to Snowdon

BBC Kent Interviews

Another year older - 24 seconds quicker??

I didn't end up doing a lot of training for the half marathon this year as i spent most of January with a cold, i wasn't ill and certainly not making a fuss, but i just didn't really feel like running in the cold after a hard days work! Nevertheless i managed to somehow beat last years time, albeit by just 24 seconds! I was quite pleased as doing it in a slower time would have been bad for morale! The next challenge comes in June with the Tough Mudder challenge which i am quite looking forward to as it's more of a team effort getting yourselves through it together rather than the every man for himself struggle up Fordcombe hill that is the Tunbridge Wells Half!

I've been very busy this week editing a short video for BBC Kent Introducing. You can find a trailer below with an edit of Florrie's 'Experimenting With Rugs' from the night. A lot more coming soon with band interviews and more footage. It was an amazing evening of young local talent, listen up on the BBC Iplayer for more tracks from the evening on Jacob's program.

That's all for now,
Santiago.

New car, new edit...same old s**t weather

I've not written much on the blog recently, mostly due to being lazy but partly due to being busy with work and doing a few things that needed doing. I sold my Fiesta and bought a Golf, just drove it back from Croydon today. It's in lovely shape and will hopefully bring many miles of joy throughout the next few years! I'll be going to North wales in April to climb Snowdon, Tryfan and some other hills around the area. I've not been to Wales for over a year, mostly due to car troubles. I'm really looking forward to hitting the rock again and camping out by the fire again. We're (Millie and I) also planning a 2 week roadtrip to the South of France in the summer which is going to be incredible.

As some of you also know, it's that dreaded time of year for the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon. I say 'dreaded' because it's not something that i am overly looking forward to, partly because i've not done much training this year but also because these things are a hell of a lot better when you're actually doing them and find that it's not that bad after all. I am going to see how i feel on the day but i will hopefully try to beat my time for last year's run which was 1h46mins. I'll let you know how that goes on Sunday.

That's all for now, below is another edit we made a few weeks back when we hit Revolution skatepark in Broadstairs. We went to avoid the rain but it was sunny there and full of those damned scooter things... nevertheless it was a fun day out!

The new wheels.

 Thanks for reading, Santiago.

Happy 2013!

Here is a trailer from recent footage. I've been working on a short edit of purely street skateboarding from Tunbridge Wells featuring all the locals. Happy new year and i hope you enjoy the video!

Alley-Kats at the Garden

After trying to hit up some street spots and being kicked out of one school and clashing into a Fete at the other, we decided to hit up the Garden and film a couple of tricks for Alley-Kats. Ash Humphrey and Danny Abel, who now ride for Alley-Kats threw down some bangers...much more to come from them soon! Check out alley-kats.com for their new range...Definitely digging the designs!

night footage

As the daylight diminishes over the next few weeks there is no choice but to get the night footage rolling. Making the most of the LEDs and lighting the spots up is looking pretty good so far. Definitely going to be getting more night sessions on footage in the next few days before christmas takes over at work.

Ben Woodhouse BS50-50

Barcelona Edit

For the last couple of weeks i've been working on the footage we filmed on our weekend in Barcelona. It was my first shot at filming a trip of this kind and the amount of footage that was stacked up in four day was incredible. We had an amazing time and i just hope this is shown on the footage.

Santiago.

BARCA

A couple of weekends ago we were in Barcelona on a skateboarding trip. It was the raddest skate mission with spots to die for and the safest of people to skate with. We managed to film enough footage to make a neat little edit which i have been working on these last few days. I am aiming to release the footage this coming Sunday night so keep an eye out for some fresh footage!

...Rome!

First of all i'd like to wish happy birthday to a very special person...Millie i am so happy that i am the one that gets to spend these special days with you and share all the special moments of our lives :)

We spent four glorious days in the Italian city of Rome last week. I'm not much of a city person as you have probably gathered by now, but Rome was a place that i would go back to any day. Standing at the place where thousands of people cheered as Gladiators fought to their glorified and bloody death. It sends shivers down your spine and although it is merely ruins compared to what it was back then, it feels so very real. We also visited the Vatican, full of gold and immense masterpieces by the likes of Michelangelo.

One of our favourite dishes is indeed pizza and needless to say we had our fair share of it! Together with litre mugs of beer and endless sun i was well and truly sorted! Perhaps because we didn't expect much from a short break, but we both felt that we felt more relaxed during four days in Rome than our whole two weeks in Cancun back in May.

That's all for now, i'm half way through a much needed two weeks off and just about got rid of yet another cold! hopefully hit the top of the red at evolution tonight and start on my next challenge on the wall :)

Santiago.

1 whole litre of the good stuff!

quick before it melts!

Millie and I <3

10,000km by Patrik Wallner

Having a glorious Wednesday afternoon off work i have just finished watching a skate video recommended by Luke over at crabface.co.uk. A skateboarding video featuring the likes of John Tanner, Dan Cates and a bunch of other skaters traveling along the Trans-Siberian railway which extends from Mosco in Russia to Hong Kong in China. The trip takes them through two months of shredding some of the oldest spots in the world in little known towns and also through the busy cities of China itself.

It really is a good watch so if you get a chance take a look - needless to say i am now incredibly hyped to film and skate on our trip to Barcelona in October!

We will be leaving on October 18th for a few days in what will hopefully be a sunny skate trip and will no doubt be a banging start to the already accumulating video footage.

That's all for now!

Santiago.

First music video!

Thing are coming together nicely on the video front and this week i have finished two of my most recent projects. As you have probably seen i filmed a wedding video and upon receiving the final product the clients were very happy and very grateful with the DVD that shall now be one of the memories and treasures from their special day.

I also finished a music video for In Tyler We Trust. I was fortunate enough to be filming such a talented group of musician and wasn't quite sure what to expect from the footage being my first music video shoot. I was stoked to see the final result. Dale did and fantastic job editing the footage and his ideas gave the video a rad storyline too!

In Tyler We Trust - Watch Me Fall [Official Music Video]

Let us know what you think, post a comment either on here or on the video's youtube page!

That's all for now! my fisheye is hopefully being returned to me within the next couple of weeks after an extremely expensive scratch repair job, which i am pleased to say was rightfully paid for by the camera insurance. So as soon as that's back we're back on filming the skate video, with maybe a trip to Barcelona in a couple of months time!

Thanks for reading,

Santiago