Author Archives: Simon Richardson

About Simon Richardson

Simon Richardson is a passionate Scottish winter climber

Corner Time on Druim Shionnach

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Simon Richardson

On Wednesday January 19, Martin Moran and Pete Macpherson added a good new route to Druim Shionnach in Glen Shiel. “We’re not sure what the name is yet,” Pete told me, “but it goes up the big left-facing corner which … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Corner Time on Druim Shionnach

Slicing Through Creagan a’Choire Etchachan

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Simon Richardson

On Wednesday January 19, Andy Nisbet and Helen Rennard visited Creagan a’Choire Etchachan in the Central Cairngorms. They climbed Kukri (V,6), a good mixed route based on the grassy fault and inset slab which bounds the right side of the … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Slicing Through Creagan a’Choire Etchachan

Exploring Cha-No

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Simon Richardson

I knew that Andy Nisbet would not be able to resist taking a look at Creagan Coire Cha-no, the little crag I’ve visited a few times this season on the eastern side of Cairngorm. After the thaw on Tuesday January … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Exploring Cha-No

Historic First On Sight of Happy Tyroleans

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Simon Richardson

Nineteen-year Greg Boswell is on a roll. Brimming with confidence after a superb recent run of routes, Greg visited Coire an Lochain on Wednesday January 19 and made the first on sight ascent of Happy Tyroleans, the impending corner-line to … Continue reading →

Posted in Repeats | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Historic First On Sight of Happy Tyroleans

Another New Winter Crag in Glen Coe

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Simon Richardson

When Simon Yearsley and Malcolm Bass climbed the classic ridge route of Sron na Lairig on the south east ridge of Stob Coire Sgreamhach last December (see Major New Ice Venue in Glen Coe), they also spotted a potential new … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Another New Winter Crag in Glen Coe

Remarkable Times

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Simon Richardson

We are living in remarkable times. As we exit the first big thaw of the winter it is a good opportunity to reflect on what has been a truly extraordinary season so far. The undoubted highlights have been the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | 4 Comments

Kander Ice

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Simon Richardson

Last weekend (January 9), Paul and Rachel Mather together with Nick Bailey made the first ascent of Kandy Bar (V,5) in Coire Kander, which is tucked away on the north side of Cairn  an ‘Tuirc above Glen Callater in the … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Helicopter View

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Simon Richardson

I received an interesting email from PC Kevin Brown from Strathclyde Police the other day. “We were put on to your blog by a climbing Doctor from the EMRS (Emergency Medical Retrieval Service) and spotted the photograph of our aircraft, … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Major New Ice Venue in Glen Coe

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Simon Richardson

Simon Yearsley and Malcolm Bass, along with a variety of friends, have been busy exploring the beautiful Coire Eilde in Glencoe.  Most climbers who travel up the Lairig Eilde are aiming for the classic ridge of Sron na Lairig on … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hidden Ice

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Simon Richardson

On January 7 John Lyall visited Creag Dhubh, overlooking Loch Ericht with Jonathan Preston, where they climbed two new lines. “The first one, Merlin (IV,4), I had been on before in 2001 with two clients,” John told me. ” But … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Hidden Ice