Ardgarten Blended

Andy Bain on the first pitch of Ardgarten Arete on The Cobbler. The new line of Ardgarten Blended (V,6) continues up the prominent line on the right wall. (Photo Jake Thackrey)

Jake Thackrey, Dougie Beck and Andy Bain made a good addition to The Cobbler on January 30 with the first ascent of Ardgarten Blended (V,6) on the South Peak. They followed the summer line (pitch 1) of Ardgartan Arete, before continuing up grooves and cracks on the right wall.

“We were sat in the car park at Arrochar with a great forecast but the temperature was reading 5deg in the car so we were pondering whether to head up The Cobbler or go for the better bet of Stob Coire nan Lochan,” Andy explained. “Jake said that he had been eyeing up a unclimbed line and sold the decision with ‘if it stays clagged up we might get something new done.’

It was only when we had crossed the corrie from the tourist path that we got our first glimpse of the South Peak covered in white hoar. This lifted our spirits after half an hour of knee-high snow plodding. We stayed on the Ardgartan Arête for the first pitch proper then trended up right and up a turfy crack to a ledge under the summer crux. This pitch was sensational and well-protected and well worth the effort and the gamble paid off big time. We also met two climbers from Leeds who were enjoying the awesome conditions on the South-East Ridge.”