Tag Archives: Simon Richardson

Winter on The Sentinel

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Simon Richardson

This winter continues to be a frustrating one. A cold snap before Christmas saw Sophie Grace Chapell and I heading for the Southern Sector of Lochnagar. The buttresses on the left side corrie have a westerly aspect, which makes them … Continue reading →

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Chasing The Ephemeral

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Simon Richardson

As soon as the second edition of Ben Nevis – Britain’s Highest Mountain (which I co-authored with Ken Crocket) was published in 2009, Tom Prentice asked me whether I would like to write a book about Scottish winter climbing. The … Continue reading →

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Too Old to Rock and Roll

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Simon Richardson

I’ve been watching an icicle grow in in Glen Clova’s Corrie Farchal for a number of weeks now. It’s situated on the buttress high up on the right side of the corner and makes the central line up the front … Continue reading →

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Under the Western Sea

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Simon Richardson

Without doubt, the 400m-high Spider Buttress on Ladhar Beinn in Knoydart is one of Scotland’s greatest winter cliffs. It’s central snowfield bears an uncanny resemblance to the Spider on the north face of The Eiger, and the cliff is sometimes … Continue reading →

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White Mamba

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Simon Richardson

I’m terrified of snakes so Cnapan Nathraichean (the knoll of the adders) on the north side of Lochnagar has never been one of my favourite crags. One time when I was below the cliff in summer a large female slithered … Continue reading →

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Stob a’Ghlais Choire – Central Buttress

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Simon Richardson

After enjoying some excellent summer scrambling on the north face of Sron na Creise one autumn day, I set off for the round of the three Black Mount Munros. Looking back along the summit ridge of Creise I was struck … Continue reading →

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The Borrowdale Conundrum

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Simon Richardson

Several years ago Roger Everett suggested there might be some winter climbing on a buttress on the North Ridge of Ben Starav, and in November 2011 we went to have a look. Winter had yet to arrive that year, so … Continue reading →

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Corrie Farchal Three Pack

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Simon Richardson

Sunday February 7 was not a particularly nice day but time was running out for Henning Wackerhage and I. After 19 years in the UK, Henning is set to return to his native Germany in a couple of weeks time … Continue reading →

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BMC International Winter Meet Report

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Simon Richardson

The Weather Gods did not smile kindly on the BMC International Winter Meet that was held at Glenmore Lodge from January 24 to January 30. Over 35 guests from 30 different countries were teamed up with UK hosts and let … Continue reading →

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Buffalo Ballet

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Simon Richardson

On the evening of January 21, Helen Rennard and I were on our way to Skye when we received a phone call from Mike Lates suggesting that we may want to reconsider because the Cuillin had been thawing all day. … Continue reading →

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