Tag Archives: Shelter Stone

Busy Season at the Cutting Edge

The following ascents were initially reported on Instagram but unfortunately, I do not have first-hand details. All are significant ascents and are listed here to maintain the historical record. 8 December, Lochnagar, Nihilist (IX,9)First winter ascent by Greg Boswell and … Continue reading

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Needle Double Tick

Last week saw one of the standout events of the season when The Needle (VIII,8) on the Shelter Stone was ascended on consecutive days. Ian Parnell and Kenton Cool climbed the route on January 8, and the following day, Andy … Continue reading

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That Was The Week That Was

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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Steeple – Third Winter Ascent

The Shelter Stone has been in good conditions over the past few days with ascents of the classic mixed routes Sticil Face (V,6) and Postern (VI,6). Big news however is the third winter ascent of the summer E2 Steeple on … Continue reading

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BMC Winter Meet – Loch Avon Update

The Loch Avon Basin has been a much-visited venue this season, and it was a popular location of Day 2 (January 24) of the BMC Winter Meet with two ascents of the classic Postern on the Shelter Stone. Iain Small … Continue reading

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All Go in the Loch Avon Basin

The hairdryer thaw over Christmas did not completely devastate winter in the Cairngorms, and the Loch Avon Basin was surprisingly busy on Friday December 30. On the Shelter Stone, Postern had a couple of ascents by Iain Small and Susan … Continue reading

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Touching The Stone

The 250m-high Shelter Stone Crag in the Loch Avon Basin has been in superb mixed condition over the last couple of weeks. ‘The Stone’ is one of Scotlands’s greatest cliffs and is home to a series of winter routes that … Continue reading

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Stone Temple Pilots – Second Ascent

Yesterday (December 15), Greg Boswell and Will Sim notched up a highly significant ascent with the first repeat of Stone Temple Pilots (X,9) on the Shelter Stone. This route, which links the summer lines of Steeple, Haystack and Spire directly … Continue reading

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Loch Avon Update

The great cliffs on the south side of the Loch Avon Basin have come into remarkably good condition for so early in the season. On the Shelter Stone, Sticil Face has had several ascents. Clach Dhian Chimney and Western Union … Continue reading

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Shelter Stone Double Tick

Nick Bullock had a remarkable two days’ climbing on the Shelter Stone, two weekends ago. “Last weekend I was at Glenmore Lodge to present a lecture to the AMI AGM on the Saturday night,” Nick told me. “The plan was … Continue reading

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