Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

BMC Winter Meet – Central Highlands

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Simon Richardson

The BMC Winter International Meet took place between January 27 and February 1. The meet was based at Glenmore Lodge, and 44 guests from 26 countries paired up with UK hosts to experience the delights of Scottish winter climbing. Despite … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, New Routes, Repeats | Tagged Andy Inglis, Andy Nisbet, Ben Nevis, Corne Brouwer, Creag Meagaidh, Dave Almond, Fiona Murray, Greg Boswell, Gustav Mellgren, Harry Holmes, Ian Bryant, Ian Parnell, Jon Walsh, Kenton Cool, Martin Zumer, Michelle Kadatz, Mirko Breckner, Nick Bullock, Olof Isaksson, Pawel Wojdyga, Piotr Sulowski, Ricardo Guerra, Rose Pearson, Simon Richardson, Siw Ornhaug, Stefan Jacobsen, Stob Coire nan Lochan, Will Sim | Comments Off

Ardgarten Blended

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Jake Thackrey, Dougie Beck and Andy Bain made a good addition to The Cobbler on January 30 with the first ascent of Ardgarten Blended (V,6) on the South Peak. They followed the summer line (pitch 1) of Ardgartan Arete, before … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged Andy Bain, Dougie Beck, Jake Thakrey, The Cobbler | 3 Comments

One Step Beyond

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Pete Macpherson and Guy Robertson made a highly significant addition to Beinn Eighe’s Far East Wall on January 29. One Step Beyond (IX,9) takes the line left of King of the Swingers, and is based on an unusual hanging ice … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged Beinn Eighe, Guy Robertson, Pete MacPherson | Comments Off

North Craig Glen Prosen

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Simon Richardson

On Friday January 24, Ian McIntosh, Sharon Wright and Martin (Wilf) Holland decided to visit North Craig in Glen Prosen. “We were looking for somewhere East and low to avoid the worst of the weather and preferably with a southerly … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged Glen Prosen, Ian Mcintosh, Martin Holland, Sharon Wright | Comments Off

Robin McAllister (1967 – 2014)

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Simon Richardson

A few days ago, the terrible news broke that Robin McAllister had died at the young age of 47. Robin was based in Ayrshire and was one of the driving forces in Scottish winter climbing during the 1990s. He spectacularly … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged Robin McAllister | 2 Comments

One More Damp Day in the West

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Simon Richardson

“So said Dave McGimpsey when we got back to the car,” Andy Nisbet recounts. “Which seemed a bit mean; better than being pulverised by gales and spindrift in the East, I thought. Thanks should first go to James Roddie for … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged Andy Nisbet, Dave McGimpsey, Liathach, Sandy Allan | Comments Off

Gallifrey Groove

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Simon Richardson

“It’s proving tricky to make the best of the fluctuating conditions this winter,” Simon Yearsley writes. “This weekend was no exception. The forecasts changed daily as a variety of fronts pushed through at seemingly random speeds. So, as Malcolm [Bass] … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged Ben Nevis, Malcolm Bass, Simon Yearsley | Comments Off

Creagan Cha-no – Diary Update

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Simon Richardson

18 February 2013: First ascent Max Encouragement (VI,7) on Arch Wall by Masa Sakano and Luke Abbott. This steep pitch climbs the parallel cracks just right of the second pitch of Daylight Robbery on the Arch Wall headwall. Masa originally … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged Creagan Cha-no, Gary Kinsey, James Edwards, Luke Abbott, Masa Sakano, Roger Everett, Roger Webb, Simon Richardson | 2 Comments

Scary Monsters

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Simon Richardson

“Looking across to Stacan Dubha from Stac an Fharaidh a few days ago,” Andy Nisbet writes, “I couldn’t help noticing this snowy gully. I thought I knew the crag well and that all the main lines had been done, but … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged Andy Nisbet, Heike Puchan, Stacan Dubha | Comments Off

Scansor – First Winter Ascent

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Simon Richardson

On Friday January 17, Iain Small and Tony Stone pulled off a major ascent with the first winter ascent of Scansor on Stob Coire nan Lochan. This spectacular E2 rock climb up the front face of the pillar to the … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged Iain Small, Stob Coire nan Lochan, Tony Stone | Comments Off