Roger Webb powering up the third pitch of Contortion on Garbh Bheinn. This five-pitch VII,7 began with an overhanging chimney and then became progressively easier following grooves and corners to the final crest of Pinnacle Ridge. (Photo Simon Richardson)
Roger Webb and I were in Fort William on Saturday evening attending the SMC Dinner.
On Sunday December 5, we got up early and drove around to Ardgour and headed up Garbh Bheinn. This superb Corbett is rarely in winter condition, but yesterday it was magnificent under its winter coat. We climbed the steep front face of the Upper Pinnacle via a series of chimneys, cracks and grooves. After five pitches we gained the crest of Pinnacle Ridge and finished up this to reach the summit ridge under a starlit sky.
