Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

Silver Surfing in Corrie Farchal

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Simon Richardson

Euan Whittaker, Paul Warnock and Martin Holland climbed a new route – Silver Surfers (IV,5) – between Coffin Dodger and Over the Hill in Corrie Farchal in Glen Clova on February 7. “We’d gone in to climb Silver Threads Among … Continue reading →

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Cruachan’s Century Repeated

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Simon Richardson

Southern Highlands aficionado Stuart MacFarlane, together with Amy Goodill made the second ascent of Century (V,5) on Ben Cruachan on February 4. This three-pitch route is situated high up on the east face of Drochaid Ghlas. Being east facing it … Continue reading →

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Dark Angel on the Church Door

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Simon Richardson

The clean-cut features and deep cracks of Bidean nan Bian’s Church Door Buttress have been a happy hunting ground for Scottish mixed climbers over the last couple of seasons. Un Poco Loco (VII,7), which finds its way through the great … Continue reading →

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Lurching Towards One Hundred Routes

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Simon Richardson

“OK, you need to count variations to make that true, but the three figures for Lurcher’s Crag has come a lot closer this week during snowy conditions when all the steep walls have been rimed,” Andy Nisbet writes. “In the … Continue reading →

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Church Door Angels – Second Ascent

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Simon Richardson

On February 2, Matt Helliker and Pete Whittaker pulled off the second ascent of the sensational Church Door Angels (VIII,9) that is situated high on Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe. “I was inspired by the line of after seeing … Continue reading →

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More Scouring Please

Posted on February 3, 2018 by Simon Richardson

There is a lot of snow lying in useful places all over the Highlands and this winter is shaping up to be an excellent season for classic Scottish winter climbing. The snow banks are nicely oozing ice, but it needs … Continue reading →

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Northern Highlands Three-Pack

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Simon Richardson

David Keogh, Tim Oliver and Robin Clothier had an excellent three days in the Far North-West earlier in January. They visited Coire Gorm on Cul Mor on January 18 with the intention of climbing the modern classic The Cul. Visibility … Continue reading →

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Book Review – Snow

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Simon Richardson

After January’s heavy snowfalls, and with more cold weather on the way, it is an appropriate time to review this useful little booklet written by Robert Bolognesi, an avalanche specialist working in Switzerland. The book was first published in France … Continue reading →

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Pobble – Second Winter Ascent

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Simon Richardson

Helen Rennard and Ben Silvestre made the second winter ascent of Pobble (VII,7) on Foinaven on January 20. This 160m-long summer VS is located on Lord Reay’s Seat, a cliff that does not hold winter conditions well and can be … Continue reading →

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The God Delusion – Fourth Ascent

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Simon Richardson

Andy Inglis and Adam Russell made the fourth ascent of the Northern Highlands test-piece The God Delusion (IX,9) on January 20. This seven-pitch voyage up the awe-inspiring Giant’s Wall on Beinn Bhan in Applecross, which was first climbed by Guy … Continue reading →

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