Monthly Archives: December 2011

Touching The Stone

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Simon Richardson

The 250m-high Shelter Stone Crag in the Loch Avon Basin has been in superb mixed condition over the last couple of weeks. ‘The Stone’ is one of Scotlands’s greatest cliffs and is home to a series of winter routes that … Continue reading →

Posted in Repeats | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Touching The Stone

Ride of the Wild Bullhorn

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Simon Richardson

On Friday December 16, Nick Bullock and Dougal Tavener climbed a new route on Ben Nevis to the left of The Pretender – a line added by Nick with Andy Turner and Bruce Poll to the East Flank of Tower … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Ride of the Wild Bullhorn

Stone Temple Pilots – Second Ascent

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Simon Richardson

Yesterday (December 15), Greg Boswell and Will Sim notched up a highly significant ascent with the first repeat of Stone Temple Pilots (X,9) on the Shelter Stone. This route, which links the summer lines of Steeple, Haystack and Spire directly … Continue reading →

Posted in Repeats | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Stone Temple Pilots – Second Ascent

White Lies on Skye

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Simon Richardson

Cuillin mountain guide and guidebook author Mike Lates, together with Ben Wear and Mark Francis (Beads) visited the South Face of Gillean yesterday (December 15), and made the first ascent of White Lies (IV,5), a seven-pitch ice line about 50 … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on White Lies on Skye

Siberian Tiger

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Simon Richardson

Monday December 12 was forecast to be a good day, so fresh from his successful Ben Nevis trip, Greg Boswell texted around to ask if anyone was keen for a day out in the Cairngorms. Guy Robertson and Pete Macpherson … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Loch Avon Update

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Simon Richardson

The great cliffs on the south side of the Loch Avon Basin have come into remarkably good condition for so early in the season. On the Shelter Stone, Sticil Face has had several ascents. Clach Dhian Chimney and Western Union … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Loch Avon Update

The Knuckleduster – Second Ascent

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Simon Richardson

After their matter-of-fact repeat of Defenders of the Faith (IX,9) last Tuesday, Greg Boswell and Will Sim spent several days at the CIC Hut with James Dunn. Their stay coincided with last week’s great storm, but they did manage an … Continue reading →

Posted in Repeats | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Knuckleduster – Second Ascent

The Winter Blue Lamppost

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Simon Richardson

Pete Macpherson and Martin Moran visited Meall Gorm in Applecross on Wednesday December 7. They thought this easily accessible, and relatively low-lying crag was the only place to go without getting blown away, but even so, Martin’s van was rocked … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Winter Blue Lamppost

Exploring Stob Ban

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Simon Richardson

After being battered by wind and blizzards whilst climbing on Ben Nevis last Saturday, Helen Rennard and I were looking for an easier option for Sunday December 4. The forecast was for more snow and strong winds, so after a … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

All Alone on Aonach Dubh

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Simon Richardson

James Roddie has been exploring the crags of Glen Coe for a couple of years now, often as bold solo outings. His latest adventure was on Monday December 5, when he made the first ascent of Number 3 Gully Rib … Continue reading →

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , | 1 Comment