Monthly Archives: December 2013

The Giant – First Winter Ascent

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

“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

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

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)

“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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The Demon – First Winter Ascent

Greg Boswell and Dougie Russell scored a notable coup in the Northern Corries on Saturday December 7 with the first winter ascent of The Demon on No.3 Buttress in Coire an Lochain. This rarely visited summer E2 was first climbed … Continue reading

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High Cairngorms Exploration

Autumn is a great time to explore the high Cairngorms. The north-west facing Northern Corries rime up quickly with the first snows of the season, but it is the likes of Braeriach and Beinn a’Bhuird that truly hold the cold … Continue reading

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New Lochain Route

On November 23, Michael Barnard and Lee Harrison climbed Snuffleupagus (IV,6), a new two-pitch line in Coire an Lochain on the very left side of No.4 Buttress. “It starts up grooves and corners parallel to and left of Oesophagus,” Michael … Continue reading

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