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This blog celebrates Scottish winter climbing. Please contact me with news of your latest adventure.
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Meta
Winter Climbing Links
- Adam Hughes
- Andy Inglis
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- Blair Fyffe
- Colin Moody
- Colin Threlfall
- Dave MacLeod
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- Tom Livingstone
- Uisdean Hawthorn
- Will Sim
Tag Archives: Simon Richardson
The Edge of Profanity
Finding good early season winter climbing conditions can be a tricky business. The winter weather that started on the night of October 26 came in on strong north-westerlies depositing deep snow on eastern aspects and insulating the turf. The well-known … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Cairn Gorm, Creagan Cha-no, Martin Hind, Roger Webb, Simon Richardson
7 Comments
Gryphon Grooves
A key piece of advice in Chasing the Ephemeral is take time to assess conditions at the base of the cliff before you start climbing. The ten minutes you spend at this point can be the most critical point of … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Forrest Templeton, Lochnagar, Simon Richardson
Comments Off on Gryphon Grooves
Moulin Rouge
For me, the beautiful proportions of Pinnacle Buttress of the Tower makes it one of the most alluring features on Ben Nevis. So much so, that I’ve climbed seven routes on its crest and flanks, but in my focus to … Continue reading
Tempest Corners
The grooves left of Joyful Chimneys on South Trident Buttress on the Ben had fascinated me for years. The problem is that they need ice and by the time this has formed in early March, the morning sun is high … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Ben Nevis, Robin Clothier, Simon Richardson
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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 Andy Inglis, Bruno Sourzac, Dave MacLeod, Guy Robertson, Helen Rennard, Iain Small, Simon Richardson
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Scorrie Explorations
On February 11, Forrest Templeton and I visited Glen Clova. In recent seasons Forrest has been exploring The Scorrie, the pronounced buttress flanking the right side of Winter Corrie, so I thought it was a good opportunity to familiarise myself … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Forrest Templeton, Glen Clova, Simon Richardson
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More Scouring Please
There is a lot of snow lying in useful places all over the Highlands and this winter is shaping up to be an excellent season for classic Scottish winter climbing. The snow banks are nicely oozing ice, but it needs … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Beinn Heasgairnich, Glen Prosen, Lochnagar, Simon Richardson, Sophie Grace Chappell
Comments Off on More Scouring Please
Following in Tom Weir’s Footsteps
Neil Wilson had long admired Tom Weir and Arthur Macpherson’s route up the 280m-high South Rib of Arkle, the Corbett just south of Foinaven. Weir and Macpherson were amongst the first to explore the climbing potential of the Foinaven group … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Arkle, Neil Wilson, Roger Webb, Simon Richardson
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Hobnailers’ Gully
It is traditional for the President of the Scottish Mountaineering Club to lead a walk on the Sunday after the annual dinner. As the event takes place in early December, lousy weather often dictates a low level affair, although some … Continue reading
Posted in New Routes
Tagged Alan Smith, Alison Coull, Andrew Hewison, Chris Huntley, Creagan Cha-no, Donald Orr, Fiona Reid, Graeme Morrison, Graham Tough, Henning Wackerhage, Ian Crofton, Jonathan Preston, Kenny Robb, Mike Watson, Richard Bott, Roger Webb, Sarah Atkinson, Simon Richardson, Stephen Blackman
1 Comment
Androcles
Strong Northerlies, and blizzard conditions in the Cairngorms and Northern Highlands, pointed to a venue somewhere in the Southern Highlands, last week (November 29). I suggested to Roger Webb, who is always keen to climb off the beaten track, that … Continue reading