Tag Archives: Helen Rennard

2021 Winter Catch Up

Now that winter is over, and lockdown largely behind us, I have summarised activity from January 4 until the end of the season. The Cuillin: Big news from Skye was the first winter ascent of Mongoose Direct (VIII,8) on Sgurr … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, New Routes, Repeats | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 2021 Winter Catch Up

Lockdown Catch Up

While Mainland Scotland is in full lockdown, I do not feel it is appropriate to report ongoing winter climbing activity on scottishwinter.com, so I’m using this post to catch up on recent weeks. The extended spell of cold and snowy … Continue reading

Posted in New Routes, Repeats | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Three Excellent Early Repeats

“Having waited for what seemed forever for winter to turn up Simon Frost and myself drove up from Liverpool on January 20,” Dave Almond writes. “After a 4.30am start to walk over to Shelterstone to find it looking black we … Continue reading

Posted in Repeats | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

First Grade VIII for Lurcher’s

On January 20 Steve Perry, Helen Rennard and Andy Nisbet put up the first Grade VIII on Lurcher’s Crag with their ascent of Shapeshifter. This route was a long-term project for Steve who had attempted this prominent line last season. … Continue reading

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on First Grade VIII for Lurcher’s

Happy Tyroleans Repeated Again

Dave Almond made a successful start to his season with two big routes, notably a repeat of Happy Tyroleans (VIII,9) in the Northern Corries with Helen Rennard. Dave takes up the story: “Despite being ready to blast up the 360 … Continue reading

Posted in Repeats | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Happy Tyroleans Repeated Again

November Cold Snap

After a very warm first half of November, the cold easterlies that set up in the middle of the month were good news for winter climbers. The big decision was whether to go east or west. Going west meant better … Continue reading

Posted in New Routes, Repeats | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on November Cold Snap

Creag Meagaidh Diary

It’s been a busy couple of weeks on Creag Meagaidh’s Pinnacle Buttress, which has probably been in it’s best condition since winter 2005: February 24: Iain Small and Andy Inglis climb Paradise Lost (VII,8), a new route up the centre … Continue reading

Posted in New Routes, Repeats | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Creag Meagaidh Diary

Pobble – Second Winter Ascent

Helen Rennard and Ben Silvestre made the second winter ascent of Pobble (VII,7) on Foinaven on January 20. This 160m-long summer VS is located on Lord Reay’s Seat, a cliff that does not hold winter conditions well and can be … Continue reading

Posted in Repeats | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Pobble – Second Winter Ascent

Under The Radar Screen

Despite the consistently cold weather, new route activity has been a little slow this season. For sure the regulars have been looking around new corners, Guy Robertson and Greg Boswell have been climbing superbly well, and several new faces have … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary, Repeats | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Under The Radar Screen

New Routes on SCNL

Pete Davies, Helen Rennard and Donie O’Sullivan have been exploring the upper right wall of SC Gully on Stob Coire nan Lochan in Glen Coe and have come away with three good new two-pitch mixed climbs. All three routes start … Continue reading

Posted in New Routes | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on New Routes on SCNL