Tag Archives: Simon Richardson

All Go on Cha-no

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Simon Richardson

The popular early season cliff of Creagan Cha-no on the east side of Cairn Gorm has been busy over the last couple of weeks. In the main, it has been the popular classics such as Anvil Gully, Jenga Buttress and … Continue reading →

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Thin Ice Special

Posted on April 1, 2017 by Simon Richardson

Conditions change quickly in late March. The day after our ascent of Failure Is Not An Option on the North Wall of Carn Dearg, the temperature was warmer and Iain Small and I had to look higher up on Ben … Continue reading →

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Failure Is Not An Option

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Simon Richardson

A curious result of this year’s difficult conditions was the temporary formation of ice at low levels on Ben Nevis during the third week in March. The icefalls below Carn Dearg became remarkably icy. These don’t normally merit much notice, … Continue reading →

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When The Icicles Don’t Hang Straight

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Simon Richardson

So here I am, belayed halfway up Church Door Buttress on Bidean nan Bian wondering why the icicles aren’t hanging straight. It is Tuesday March 7 and it’s gently snowing. Iain Small is above me climbing a vertical ice-filled corner … Continue reading →

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The Shape Of Things To Come

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Simon Richardson

I had the privilege of accompanying Iain Small on a journey up the North Wall of Carn Dearg on March 2. This excellent but unfrequented cliff is situated left of The Shroud on Ben Nevis. Steep and rocky and lying … Continue reading →

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Snow At Last!

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Simon Richardson

Saturday’s (January 28) snowfall brought many of the higher cliffs into winter condition at the weekend. Ben Nevis was busy with many of the Early Season favorites such as Gargoyle Wall, The Clanger, Cutlass and Sidewinder seeing ascents. Notable ascents … Continue reading →

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Give and Take on Ben Nevis

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Simon Richardson

We are going through a very unhelpful weather cycle at the moment where snowfalls are followed by rapid thaws and the resulting dry conditions are locked by high pressure systems for days. We desperately need significant snowfall and a rapid … Continue reading →

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Topsy-Turvy

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Simon Richardson

The topsy-turvy season continues. A brief thaw on January 3 followed by a dry cold snap was not the best recipe for good winter climbing. The Scottish mountains are unusually dry at the moment and the freeze thaws should be … Continue reading →

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Cat and Mouse

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Simon Richardson

The cat and mouse game of finding good winter climbing conditions continues. The forecast icy blast on New Years Day promised much for January 2, but the snowfall was significantly less than predicted and mainly limited to the Cairngorms and … Continue reading →

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Blink And You Miss It

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Simon Richardson

“Blink and You Miss It!” Mark Chadwick exclaimed on Facebook after making a well timed ascent of an attractively rimed Auricle (VI,7) in Coire an Lochain with Duncan Hodgson. Following the Christmas Day thaw and Boxing Day storm, winter conditions … Continue reading →

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