Monthly Archives: December 2015

Cerro Cairngorm

After the ferocious easterly winds and blizzards on Saturday, Ben Nevis was the logical choice of venue to take advantage of the ridge of high pressure that appeared on Sunday December 27. But I had an inkling that the weather … Continue reading

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Shadhavar – First Winter Ascent

Iain Small and Uisdean Hawthorn pulled off the ascent of the season so far on December 14 with the first winter ascent of Shadhavar (VIII,9) on Stob Coire nan Lochan in Glen Coe. “After missing the good weather at the … Continue reading

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More Third Ascents

Following his ascents of Swallow Tail Pillar and Smokestack Lightnin’ Variations, Dave Almond made another couple of important repeats in the Northern Corries with Simon Frost and Helen Rennard. “On December 13, Simon [Frost]and I were joined by Helen Rennard … Continue reading

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Smokestack Lightnin’ Variations

After making the third ascent of Swallow Tail Pillar with Ian Parnell, Dave Almond teamed up with Simon Frost on Saturday December 12 and climbed a couple of notable variations to Smokestack Lightnin’ (VI,7) on Fiacaill Buttress. This challenging route … Continue reading

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“Lurcher’s Crag is Worked Out”

“I was accused of lying, but it just depends on your definition of what makes a route,” Andy Nisbet explained. “If you mean independent lines top to bottom, then it was worked out. But if you want to go there … Continue reading

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Anvil Chorus

Sunday December 13 was a beautiful day in the Cairngorms. I’ve been feeling lousy with a persistent cold for the past three weeks but the good weather forecast tempted me out with Roger Webb for a short day on Creagan … Continue reading

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Pfugga-lule – Third Ascent

On Saturday December 12, Andy Inglis and Neil Adams made the third ascent of one of the Northern Corries modern test–pieces when they climbed Pfugga-lule (VIII,9) in Coire an Lochain. “It’s a route that has interested Neil and I for … Continue reading

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Swallow Tail Pillar – Third Ascent

A succession of storms and deep thaws has contributed to a slow start to the winter season. At the end of last week, the temperatures cooled bringing a welcome snowfall. Ian Parnell and Dave Almond were quick on the scene … Continue reading

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Book Review – Mountaineering in Scotland – The Early Years

Mountaineering in Scotland – The Early Years is a comprehensive history of Scottish mountaineering from the earliest days through to the outbreak of the First World War. The story really begins in the 1880s with the formation of the first … Continue reading

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