Monthly Archives: February 2016

Skye Raiders – Part 1

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Simon Richardson

“For many years in the 1990s whilst taking clients up the Inaccessible Pinnacle, I always wondered what was down the Coruisg side,” Andy Nisbet writes. “The Brittle side has hoards wandering up and down, but no one goes to the … Continue reading →

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Moon Ice Jazz – Second Ascent

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Simon Richardson

On February 21, Brian Duthie and Forrest Templeton visited Winter Corrie in Glen Clova and made the second ascent of Moon Ice Jazz (VI,7). “The forecast for Sunday suggested frozen terrain down to 400m,” Brian explained.  “So Forrest and I … Continue reading →

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White Mamba

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Simon Richardson

I’m terrified of snakes so Cnapan Nathraichean (the knoll of the adders) on the north side of Lochnagar has never been one of my favourite crags. One time when I was below the cliff in summer a large female slithered … Continue reading →

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Major New Route on Beinn Bhan

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Simon Richardson

Neil Silver, Malcolm Bass and Simon Yearsley added a major new route to Beinn Bhan on February 13 – the eight-pitch Nam Famhairean (VII,7) in Coire nam Fhamair. Neil takes up the story: “A big route on a big cliff!  … Continue reading →

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Stob a’Ghlais Choire – Central Buttress

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Simon Richardson

After enjoying some excellent summer scrambling on the north face of Sron na Creise one autumn day, I set off for the round of the three Black Mount Munros. Looking back along the summit ridge of Creise I was struck … Continue reading →

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The Borrowdale Conundrum

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Simon Richardson

Several years ago Roger Everett suggested there might be some winter climbing on a buttress on the North Ridge of Ben Starav, and in November 2011 we went to have a look. Winter had yet to arrive that year, so … Continue reading →

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Remote and Snowy

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Simon Richardson

“Driving towards Ben Nevis on February 10, it became obvious around Loch Laggan that all the hills were very white and swamped with soft snow,” Andy Nisbet writes. “Unable to think of any sensible, or at least accessible, new routes, … Continue reading →

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Gates of Paradise

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Simon Richardson

On February 10, Iain Small and Murdoch Jamieson climbed one of the most spectacular new routes of the season when they made the first ascent of Gates of Paradise (VIII,8) on Church Door Buttress on Stob Core nam Beith. “It … Continue reading →

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Visit from Italy

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Simon Richardson

I receive all sorts of correspondence for scottshwinter.com but the following email from February 14 made me smile… “Hello, I apologize for my English, I’m Renzo Italian mountain guide crown have been to you for a tour with friend Martin, … Continue reading →

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Pinnacle Arete Direct Variation – Second Ascent

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Simon Richardson

On February 8, Steve Holmes, Ken Applegate and Dot Bankowska made the possible second ascent of the Direct Variation (IV,6) to Pinnacle Arete in Coire na Ciste. This variation was first climbed by Robin Clothier and Andy Huntington in October … Continue reading →

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