On December 11 Dec, Stuart McFarlane, Di Gilbert and Rich Bentley visited Beinn a’ Chreachain in the Bridge of Orchy hills. Fuelled by stories of ‘unclimbed icicles’ by Erik Brunskill, I’d always meant to explore here,” Stuart told me.
“Being in the company of two experienced Mountain Guides, who had discussed the best line of approach, I could fully enjoy the scenery and beautiful clear day. After what felt like walking for hours, we arrived at the lochain, beneath this impressive crag.
Initially we climbed Rubadub Ridge (IV,4) since the approach had eaten into our day. We were up this in no time and Rich had spotted a short, steep groove line, left of the start. We then descended, climbed Rich’s groove, and belayed beneath the upper corner of Rubadub Ridge. I climbed up, surmounted a short wall and followed a ramp around a tower to finished up a short corner. Di commented that she had never climbed so much turf on a route before and enjoyed what the Southern Highlands had to offer!”
Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker was graded IV,4. Stuart is having a good start to winter, and two days previously (December 9) he made the first ascent of The Lonemond Picket (III) on Ben Lomond with Blair Keogh. This150m-long route starts up Solo Buttress before taking a zig zag line up the left wall.
