Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

The Brass Monkey Repeated

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Neil Adams and Andy Inglis pulled off an important second ascent on Ben Nevis January 1, when they repeated The Brass Monkey (VII,8) on the east side of Tower Ridge. This imposing corner which bounds the right side of Echo … Continue reading →

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A Dog’s Life

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Simon Richardson

“When it’s been raining cats and dogs, where else to go but Lurchers Crag,” Andy Nisbet suggests. “In fact the idea was born when Matt Griffin sent me a photo of the K9 area in order to ask if a … Continue reading →

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Sword of Damocles – Second Winter Ascent

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Simon Richardson

The inspirational first winter ascent of The Giant on Creag an Dubh Loch last week, prompted a number of repeat attempts over the weekend of January 4-5. A predicted cold and calmer spell of weather was awkwardly sandwiched between a … Continue reading →

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New Line in Coire na Banachdaich

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Simon Richardson

It’s interesting how different days have yielded better conditions in different parts of the country throughout this prolonged series of storms. On Skye for example, New Year’s Day was the only one with easterly winds forecast, so Mike Lates and … Continue reading →

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Coire Garbhlach

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Simon Richardson

“The name Coire Garbhlach, meaning a rough place, is remarkably well suited,” Andy Nisbet writes. “There used to be a path of sorts but a big thunderstorm perhaps in the early 90s, washed it all away and just left a … Continue reading →

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The Giant – First Winter Ascent

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Simon Richardson

The weather this December (from a winter climber’s point of view) has been the worst anyone can remember. The first half of the month started very warm and the last two weeks have seen the country battered by a series … Continue reading →

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Boxing Day on Aonach Beag

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Simon Richardson

“Where to go on Boxing Day?” Andy Nisbet asks. “There had been several storms from the west with nearly continuous gales for a couple of weeks. Some had been cold, and some briefly warm, but in general there was loads … Continue reading →

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Babes in the Wood – Second Ascent

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Simon Richardson

On Tuesday December 17, Will Sim and Greg Boswell made the second winter ascent of Babes in the Wood (VIII,8) in Coire an t-Sneachda. This 30m-long summer E2 follows a slanting crack-line on the left flank of Aladdin’s Buttress and … Continue reading →

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Avenging Angel, Alternative Start

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Simon Richardson

Although this year’s December weather is proving to be unusually mild, there was a brief burst of cold air at the end of last week which produced a flurry of activity on Ben Nevis. Three notable ascents took place on … Continue reading →

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Aonach Beag (We Hope)

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Simon Richardson

“I never thought I’d go to Aonach Beag from Glen Nevis,” Andy Nisbet writes. “I had it in my head it was such a long way. And Simon and Helen going there the day after last year’s SMC dinner didn’t … Continue reading →

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