Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

Silver Threads Among The Gold

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Last week’s thaw never made it as far as the North-East of Scotland. I know this only too well as I fell off my bike twice whilst cycling to work on icy roads. As a result, Glen Clova was a … Continue reading →

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Training and Patience

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Simon Richardson

With the late start to the season, high standard ascents have been quite rare so far this winter, so I was delighted to hear that Dave Almond and Graham Dawson made an ascent of The Secret (VIII,9) on Ben Nevis … Continue reading →

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Flying Saucers

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Andy Nisbet and Steve Perry added an excellent new route to Stob Ban in the Mamores on December 16. “It’s hard to know where to go at this time of year,” Andy writes. “Actually it’s easy if you have a … Continue reading →

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Boustie Buttress

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Simon Richardson

“Whilst not quite in the same league as Boggle or Culloden,” Iain Young writes, “John Higham and I enjoyed a fine (civilised, sunny and short) day out in Clova on Saturday December 13. With all ways west and north-west out … Continue reading →

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Culloden Repeated

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Simon Richardson

On Saturday December 13, Guy Robertson and Greg Boswell pulled off the second ascent of Culloden (IX,9) on Creag an Dubh Loch’s formidable Broad Terrace Wall. This exceptionally steep summer E2 was first climbed in winter by the top trio … Continue reading →

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Some Beinn a’Mhuinidh Exploration

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Simon Richardson

On Saturday December 13 Roger Webb and I decided to gamble on the summit cliff of Beinn a’Mhuinidh in the Northern Highlands. We had stared at this NW-facing crag whilst descending Slioch on several occasions, and as far as we … Continue reading →

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Boggle First Winter Ascent

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Last week’s ferocious storms relented on Saturday December 13 providing a well-timed weather window before a quick thaw on Sunday. The fast onset of winter made venue choice tricky, as lying snow had insulated unfrozen turf, and there were deep … Continue reading →

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Punching Numbers on Creagan Cha-no

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Ally Swinton visited Creagan Cha-no with his Dad, Gav Swinton, on December 5. Walking under the cliff, Ally noticed that the steep intermittent crack-line to the right of Mac’s Crack in the Tower Area wasn’t on his topo, so he … Continue reading →

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Mixed Pickings on The Gift

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Simon Richardson

On December 5, Kev Shields and Steve Holmes made an enterprising ascent of the mixed ground just right of North Gully on Ben Nevis. “It was pretty sketchy on slabby terrain for two pitches then easier wandering,” Kev told me. … Continue reading →

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Tomahawk Crack – Second Ascent

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Will Sim and Andy Inglis enjoyed an excellent two days on the Ben at the beginning of this week. On Sunday December 6 they made an ascent of Sidewinder (VII,7) on South Trident Buttress. This route has become popular in … Continue reading →

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