Tag Archives: Blair Fyffe

The Piece Maker

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Simon Richardson

Iain Small and Blair Fyffe added another technical test-piece to Ben Nevis on March 10 when they made the first ascent of The Piece Maker (VIII,9). “After all the ice climbing recently I was pretty keen to get back on … Continue reading →

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What’s in a Name?

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Simon Richardson

Roger Everett and I were rather confused when were climbing on Lurcher’s Crag on February 16. It was our first visit to the cliff, and the folks climbing the attractive icefall to our left had told us that they were … Continue reading →

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Year of the Horse

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Simon Richardson

On Thursday January 30, Iain Small and Blair Fyffe made a major addition to Glen Coe. “After climbing Sundance on Beinn Eighe with Murdo [Jamieson], I headed down to The Fort that evening to get out with Blair on Thursday,” … Continue reading →

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All Eyes on The Ben

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Simon Richardson

If last weekend’s activity is anything to go by, Ben Nevis has taken over from the Northern Corries as the venue of choice for high standard early season mixed. Harry Holmes and Dan Tait set the tone on Thursday November … Continue reading →

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No Success Like Failure

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Simon Richardson

When Iain Small and I climbed Rogue’s Rib on Ben Nevis in March 2011 we were struck by the unclimbed shallow groove to our left. It ran the full height of the buttress and was defended at its base by … Continue reading →

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Scrabble – Second Ascent

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Simon Richardson

Yesterday (January 15), Adam Hughes, Matt Stygall and Blair Fyffe made the second ascent of Scrabble (VIII,7) on Stob Coire nan Lochan in Glen Coe. This fabled route was fist climbed by Mike ‘Twid’ Turner and Louise Thomas in February … Continue reading →

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The Copenhagen Interpretation

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Simon Richardson

On November 3, Blair Fyffe made the probable first winter ascent of Blue-Nosed Baboon on Garadh Buttress on Ben Nevis. This summer VDiff went at a winter grade of V,5 and is described on Blair’s excellent blog. Whilst climbing this … Continue reading →

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That Was The Week That Was

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Simon Richardson

Last week (December 10-14) was undoubtedly the week of the winter so far. Heavy snowfall was consolidated by a mini-thaw the previous weekend followed by stable cold weather with no wind and blue skies. Several of the major events have … Continue reading →

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Book Review – Winter Climbs in the Cairngorms

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Simon Richardson

I have a battered copy of the second edition of this popular guidebook on my bookshelf. It is over 30 years old (the staples are rusting) and was written by one of the world’s greatest ice climbing pioneers – John … Continue reading →

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The Past is Close Behind

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Simon Richardson

Yesterday (February 18) Iain Small continued his magnificent run of new routes on Ben Nevis with the first ascent of The Past is Close Behind (VIII,8). This takes the very steep wall between Kellett’s North Wall Route and The Shroud. … Continue reading →

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