Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

Minus One Superdirect

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Following their new route on the Astronomy face of Ben Nevis, Iain Small and Uisdean Hawthorn had an even more outstanding day on March 12. “Wednesday was another stunning day with a good frost and rock-solid snow,” Iain told me. … Continue reading →

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Dark Star on The Ben

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Simon Richardson

The thaw last weekend and high pressure and overnight frosts earlier this week, finally transformed the huge quantities of snow on Ben Nevis into ice and neve, to the delight of those fortunate enough to be in the vicinity mid-week. … Continue reading →

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The Icefall of Doom

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Simon Richardson

On March 2, Steve Addy and James Wheater visited Creag an Dubh Loch and made the first ascent of the striking blue icefall halfway up the right side of North-West Gully. It lies up and left of the icefall of … Continue reading →

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Corner Games

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Olov Isaksson from Sweden and Karin Zgraggen from Switzerland pulled off a significant accomplishment on February 28 when they made the first ascent of Eggäschpili (IX,9) on Stob Coire nan Lochan in Glen Coe. “I had such an amazing time … Continue reading →

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Risk of Ice

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Simon Richardson

“John Mackenzie used to talk with awe about the cornices above Coire na Feola of Ben Wyvis,” Andy Nisbet writes. “Also the great central icefall, which one day would form, and he hoped he would be there. But John Lyall … Continue reading →

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Open Heart – Third Ascent

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Will Sim and Adam Booth visited Coire an Lochain in the Northern Corries on February 24, and made the probable third ascent of Open Heart (VIII,9). This very steep test-piece, which takes a direct line up to the crux of … Continue reading →

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What’s in a Name?

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Roger Everett and I were rather confused when were climbing on Lurcher’s Crag on February 16. It was our first visit to the cliff, and the folks climbing the attractive icefall to our left had told us that they were … Continue reading →

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Vishnu – Second Ascent

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Simon Richardson

There are two absolutely classic-looking traditional winter lines on the stupendous Far East Wall on Beinn Eighe – Kami-kaze and Vishnu. Both routes were climbed by Andy Nisbet in the 1980s during the initial winter exploration of the crag. The … Continue reading →

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Following Footsteps?

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Roger Everett and I were wrong-footed by logistics, weather forecasts, blocked roads and avalanche-prone slopes throughout the previous weekend. We ended up visiting Lurcher’s Crag on Sunday February 16, which I think was our Plan D! The weather was good, … Continue reading →

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The Route of All Evil

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Murdoch Jamieson and John Orr pulled off a magnificent climb on February 16 when they made the first winter ascent of The Root of All Evil (IX,8) on Beinn Eighe’s Far East Wall. This summer E2 was first climbed by … Continue reading →

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