Spotlight on Helen

Helen Thornton is Innovations and Research Coordinator for Páramo. Don’t ask why but the folks at Páramo call her Sparkles… Anyway, Helen is a true outdoor lover – any weather any activity with mountains in or around! When occasionally the sun doth shine long, multi-pitch mountains climbs are her favourite, from the walk in to a more remote spot with the heavy bag to colourful gear hanging off the harness. Then gaining height and reaching the top of the mountain is the most interesting. In Helen’s words, ‘Thankfully you don’t have to have a body like a Greek God or be a genius or yoga-esque climber to have these pleasures as there are plenty of lower grade climbs to do’

Favourite crag: Grey Crag in Buttermere
Favourite climb: Crack on Gimmer Crag Langdale, the hardest and most interesting route I’ve lead climbed.
Ambitions for the New Year: to climb the Bhasteir Tooth on the Cuillin Ridge, Skye, climb on Isle of Arran and Pillar Rock in the Lakes. 
Secret pleasure: hip shaking with all the jangly gear on the ground and singing Shakira.