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Meta
Winter Climbing Links
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Monthly Archives: March 2017
Failure Is Not An Option
A curious result of this year’s difficult conditions was the temporary formation of ice at low levels on Ben Nevis during the third week in March. The icefalls below Carn Dearg became remarkably icy. These don’t normally merit much notice, … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Ben Nevis, Iain Small, Simon Richardson
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Meshuga
“It’s been that sort of winter, where you either climb steep rocky routes or, on the assumption that all easier routes have turf, you put up with mediocre conditions,” Andy Nisbet writes. “And if you’re looking for easier new routes, … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, New Routes
Tagged Andy Nisbet, Mullach Fraoch-choire, Sandy Allan, Sarah Sigley, Steve Perry
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When The Icicles Don’t Hang Straight
So here I am, belayed halfway up Church Door Buttress on Bidean nan Bian wondering why the icicles aren’t hanging straight. It is Tuesday March 7 and it’s gently snowing. Iain Small is above me climbing a vertical ice-filled corner … Continue reading
Cloudjumper
“Dave MacLeod and I headed up the Ben last Sunday (March 5),” Helen Rennard writes. “We had been thinking of climbing something up in Coire na Ciste and Dave had kindly offered to belay me on something (I tend to … Continue reading
Salvation Ribs
On March 4, John Jackson and Martin Holland headed in to Beinn Alligin with a couple of teams to attempt the classic Grade IV ice gully of West Coast Boomer on Tom na Gruagaich. “John, Joanne McCandless and Graeme Crowder … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Beinn Alligin, Graeme Crowder, Joanne McCandless, John Jackson, Martin Holland, Neil Hamlett
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Chamonix Scottish Raid
Chamonix-based guides, Matt Helliker and Job Bracey had a very successful four-day visit to Scotland at the end of February. With little knowledge of conditions, they headed up to Stob Coire nan Lochan on their first day (February 27) and … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Repeats
Tagged Jon Bracey, Lost Valley Buttress, Matt Helliker, Northern Corries, Stob Coire nan Lochan
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Satyr – Nearly!
Ian Parnell and Tim Emmett had a great day on Stob Coire nan Lochan on March 3 when they climbed the first three pitches of Satyr (IX,9) before finishing up the final pitch of Central Grooves. “There was a nice … Continue reading
Posted in Repeats
Tagged Ian Parnell, Stob Coire nan Lochan, Tim Emmett
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The Shape Of Things To Come
I had the privilege of accompanying Iain Small on a journey up the North Wall of Carn Dearg on March 2. This excellent but unfrequented cliff is situated left of The Shroud on Ben Nevis. Steep and rocky and lying … Continue reading
Slovenian Exchange
From February 12 to 19, eight Slovenian climbers visited Scotland and teamed up with British climbers to sample the ‘delights’ of Scottish winter. They caught the end of the February cold snap and enjoyed excellent mixed climbing for the first … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Repeats
Tagged Andrej Jez, Ben Nevis, Iain Small, Ian Parnell, Lost Valley Buttress, Marko Prezelj, Matija Volontar, Nick Colton, Stob Coire nan Lochan, Tom Livingstone, Will Harris
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Ben Nevis Update
It’s been a difficult season, but as March progressed, good winter climbing was found on Ben Nevis. The problem this winter has been the lack of any base. Any snowfalls have quickly disappeared due to rapid thaws, but the Ben’s … Continue reading →