Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

Time Warp

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Simon Richardson

Roger Webb and I visited the North Face of Aonach Beag on March 14. It was a memorable day on several counts – the weather was superb and we climbed a good new route – but most importantly, it was … Continue reading →

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The Piece Maker

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Simon Richardson

Iain Small and Blair Fyffe added another technical test-piece to Ben Nevis on March 10 when they made the first ascent of The Piece Maker (VIII,9). “After all the ice climbing recently I was pretty keen to get back on … Continue reading →

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Far North

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Simon Richardson

“All the options were too snowy, and I’m too old and wise for wading,” Andy Nisbet writes. “Steve Perry and I had a couple of scores to settle from earlier in the winter but neither looked promising. So the old … Continue reading →

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The Shroud, The Secret and More

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Simon Richardson

Following his successful Scottish hit in January, Tom Livingstone had another superb run of routes in February. Tom takes up the story: “Pete Harrison and I were keen for two weeks of hard mixed climbing, ideally in the North West … Continue reading →

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Waive Wall in Coire Garbhlach

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Simon Richardson

“Coire Garbhlach is a useful place when the Cairngorm ski road is shut, although it does mean I’ve usually climbed there in bad weather,” Andy Nisbet writes. But on March 2, the weather didn’t seem too bad, although there was … Continue reading →

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Houdini Indirect Finish

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Simon Richardson

On February 28 Rob Adam and Fiona Murray climbed a new finish to Houdini on Fiacaill Buttress in Coire an t-Sneachda. “After straying off route on pitch four of Houdini,” Rob explained, “we found ourselves at the right-hand end of … Continue reading →

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Red Dragon

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Simon Richardson

On February 26 Helen Rennard and Dave MacLeod added a new mixed test-piece to the Ben. Helen takes up the story: “Dave and I headed into the Ben. We didn’t have a definite plan and it was more a case … Continue reading →

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Twoburkelosis

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Simon Richardson

On February 23, Colm and Dave Burke climbed a new route on the Upper West Face of Gearr Aonach. The cleverly-named Twoburkelosis takes a groove just inside the left edge of Jim’s Gully, and ably demonstrates that considerable potential remains … Continue reading →

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Happy Hunting Ground

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Simon Richardson

“Beinn Liath Mhor has been a happy hunting ground for Sandy Allan and I this year,” Andy Nisbet writes. “We were joined by Steve Perry this time (February 25). It is a good accessible place when snow is deep but … Continue reading →

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New Line on An Teallach

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Simon Richardson

Guy Robertson and Uisdean Hawthorn visited An Teallach on February 25. “We thought we’d struck gold,” Guy told me. “With what looked like perfect conditions it was a pretty easy walk up into Glas Tholl. However we were soon put … Continue reading →

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