Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

The Greatest Show on Earth

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Simon Richardson

Greg Boswell and Guy Robertson pulled off a remarkable coup yesterday (January 19) when they made the first ascent The Greatest Show on Earth (X,10). This awe-inspiring route takes the huge blank wall on the right side of Coire Gorm … Continue reading →

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The Sea, The Sea – Second Ascent

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Simon Richardson

When Cold Climbs was published in 1983, the first two chapters on Beinn Bhan and the Fainnaichs were a revelation. These areas were terra incognita for most Scottish climbers at the time, and they launched a multitude of dreams as … Continue reading →

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Twerking

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Simon Richardson

The continuous run of stormy weather this winter has made choosing a venue and selecting an appropriate route particularly challenging. As ever, Andy Nisbet has consistently demonstrated the knack of being in the right place at the right time. Take … Continue reading →

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Shangri-La

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Simon Richardson

“Shangri-La might be overstating it a bit, but an overlooked section of crag on a very accessible cliff is my idea of a revelation’” Andy Nisbet writes. “One wild and warm day in December (there were a few of those!), … Continue reading →

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Age is Only a Number

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Simon Richardson

When I enquired about Bonhard Buttress in Glen Clova last month, Alex (Tam) Thomson replied to me with details about the first ascent. I was delighted to hear from Tam, as he is something of a Glen Clova pioneer and … Continue reading →

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Tenterhooks on Ben Nevis

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Simon Richardson

Choosing where to climb this weekend was a tough call after the devastating New Year thaw. With temperatures only dropping on Friday, it was difficult to figure out how much it had snowed, and where, and whether the turf had … Continue reading →

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Unperturbed on Cona Mheall

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Roger Webb, Neil Wilson and Pete Macpherson visited Cona Mheall on December 28. “It’s a good looking crag, but none of us had been there before,” Roger explained. “It was cold and overcast, so despite being south facing we thought … Continue reading →

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Tried and Tested in Glen Coe

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Andy Nelson, Kenny Grant and Keith Ball added an excellent mixed route to Central Buttress on Stob Coire nan Lochan on December 29. “We climbed the chimney-corner formed by the spur of Central Buttress and the wall of Satyr at … Continue reading →

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Boggle and More…

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Simon Richardson

When I saw Mairi Ri’s beautiful photo of Uisdean Hawthorn and Murdoch Jamieson repeating Boggle (VIII,8) on December 26 I wanted to put it on scottishwinter.com as soon as possible. But Uisdean has been so busy on the hill I … Continue reading →

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Deserted on Aonach Mor

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Simon Richardson

“Coire an Lochain of Aonach Mor usually ranks with the Northern Corries as the place with most popularity and publicity,” Andy Nisbet writes. “But in recent weeks it has been ominously quiet; the assumption that it would have been swamped … Continue reading →

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