Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

Iron Man Ridge

It’s been an unsettled season so far, but Wednesday January 5 offered a possible opportunity to escape the recent gales and storms. The weather was clearing from the west, so at first glance, the Central Cairngorms was not a logical … Continue reading

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Geologists’ Ridge

Iain Young and John Higham had a superb day on January 5 making the first ascent of Geologists’ Ridge (IV,4) on the 450m-high south -west face of Conival in the Northern Highlands. Iain and John have a strong track record … Continue reading

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Juggling Crampons on The Jester

On December 9, Oliver Skeoch and Ryan Balharry made the first winter ascent of The Jester (V,7) on Stob Coire nan Lochan. This small but impressive pinnacle lies at the foot of Pinnacle Buttress and is well seen on the … Continue reading

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Princess Cut

During the first Coronavirus lockdown in spring 2020 when we were only allowed to venture away from our homes on foot or bike, Mark Robson discovered an unclimbed crag on Ben Wyvis. The 100m-high Diamond Buttress is situated on Glas … Continue reading

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Tuberculosis Repeated Again

Steve Holmes and Ali Rose made an ascent of Tuberculosis on Stob Coire nan Lochan on December 10. This excellent looking mixed route takes the corner system right of Crest Route on North Buttress. It was first climbed by Dave … Continue reading

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Lucky Sunday Arete

On December 5, Liam Campbell, Macauley Wood and Jamie Whitehead visited Creag Loisgte on Ben Lawers and made the first ascent of Lucky Sunday Arete (III,4). Creag Loisgte lies on the south flank of the south-west ridge of the mountain … Continue reading

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California Dreamin’

On November 27, James Milton and Robbie Hearns made the enterprising first winter ascent of California (IV,4) in Coire Druim na Staidhre on Sgurr nan Saighead in Kintail. This Severe is the only summer route in the corrie and was … Continue reading

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New Winter Season Finally Underway

It’s been a slow start to the Scottish winter season and most of November has been remarkably mild. There were a couple of short bursts of winter at the end of October when snowed up rock routes in the Northern … Continue reading

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Rick Allen (1954 – 2021)

On 25 July 2021 a series of avalanches swept down the East Flank of K2 taking the life of Rick Allen. In an instant, Britain lost one its finest ever mountaineers. Rick was born in London on 6 November 1954. … Continue reading

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2021 Winter Catch Up

Now that winter is over, and lockdown largely behind us, I have summarised activity from January 4 until the end of the season. The Cuillin: Big news from Skye was the first winter ascent of Mongoose Direct (VIII,8) on Sgurr … Continue reading

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