Monthly Archives: December 2010

Feast of the East

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Simon Richardson

Martin Moran, Murdo Jamieson and Francis Blunt pulled off a magnificent route on Sunday (December 19) with the first winter ascent of Feast of the East on the Eastern Ramparts of Beinn Eighe. In a remarkably efficient ascent, Murdo climbed … Continue reading →

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Going Caving in Glen Shiel

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Simon Richardson

Andy Nisbet visited Duim Shionnach in Glen Shiel today (December 21) with Jonathan Preston, and added Macavity (V,6), a companion route to Lemon Groove. The route starts as for Lemon Groove to the big cave, then climbs turf up the … Continue reading →

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Resolution on The Brack

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Simon Richardson

On Saturday December 18, Graham Stein and Andy Lole made an early repeat of Resolution on The Brack in the Arrochar Alps. This outstanding route takes the impressive wall right of Great Central Groove. “The turf was excellent and it’s … Continue reading →

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Black Spout Buttress, Direct Variations

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Simon Richardson

On Wednesday December 15, Dave Almond, Duncan Tunstall and Greg Parsons made a direct ascent of the classic Black Spout Buttress on Lochnagar. Rather than follow the standard line, the trio followed a more direct version of the lower tier … Continue reading →

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Toughing It Out on Lochnagar

Posted on December 18, 2010 by Simon Richardson

On Wednesday December 15, Ross Hewitt and Sandy Simpson made a rare repeat of Tough Guy on Lochangar. The pair attempted this sought-after mixed line on the Tough-Brown face the previous Sunday, but after a late start they ran out … Continue reading →

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Happy Days on Skye

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Simon Richardson

On November 30, Mike Lates and Francis Blunt had a brilliant adventure on Skye. “Francis is on the night watchman scheme at Glenmore Lodge and he gave me quite an education on a hard new mixed line on Bealach Buttress, … Continue reading →

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The Wonderful Wizard

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Simon Richardson

Three days before making the first winter ascents of Rose Late and Oz with Andy Nisbet (see http://www.scottishwinter.com/?p=951),  John Lyall and Jonathan Preston visited No.2 Gully Buttress on Aonach Dubh on December 4 and made the first ascent of The … Continue reading →

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Sharpening The Sword

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Simon Richardson

Today (December 13), John Lyall, Andy Nisbet and Jonathan Preston added an Independent Finish (IV,5) to The Sword on Carn Etchachan. The Sword climbs the ramp of Red Guard (summer), then leaves it to finish as for Red Guard (winter). … Continue reading →

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Cairngorm Calling

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Simon Richardson

It was a tricky call this weekend. Freezing levels were dropping on Sunday, but last week’s thaw had stripped the many of the buttresses in the West. This ruled out technical climbing on The Ben, but how about the Cairngorms? … Continue reading →

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The Wizard of Oz

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Simon Richardson

Last week, Sandy Allan, John Lyall, Andy Nisbet had a couple of productive days climbing on No.2 Buttress on the West Face of Aonach Dubh in Glen Coe. On December 7 they added a new climb approximating to the summer … Continue reading →

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