Tag Archives: Steve Holmes

January Update

Posted on January 24, 2022 by Simon Richardson

January has been disappointing month for Scottish winter climbers. The weather has been dominated by warm high pressure systems and any snowfall has quickly disappeared with sudden thaws. The dry air and associated wet bulb effect has allowed the remaining … Continue reading →

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Tuberculosis Repeated Again

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Simon Richardson

Steve Holmes and Ali Rose made an ascent of Tuberculosis on Stob Coire nan Lochan on December 10. This excellent looking mixed route takes the corner system right of Crest Route on North Buttress. It was first climbed by Dave … Continue reading →

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Can Do on Nocando Crack!

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Simon Richardson

I left out the Guy Steven and Steve Holmes’ ascent of Nocando Crack (VII,8) on January 29 in Coire an Lochain in the Northern Corries in my last post January Scottish Winter Diary because Nocando Crack is neither a new … Continue reading →

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Moonstone Repeated

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Simon Richardson

Pete Davies, Steve Elliott and Ross Cowie made the probable second ascent of Moonstone (VII,7) on Coire nan Camh on February 4. This remote cliff is located 10km south of Loch Laggan on the east face of Meall Garbh, the … Continue reading →

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The Orphan – First Winter Ascent

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Simon Richardson

On December 14, Steve Holmes, Duncan Curry and Hannah Evans made the first winter ascent of The Orphan (VII,8) on the North-East Face of Crowberry Ridge on The Buachaille. This summer VS, which was first climbed by Messrs. Read, Jones … Continue reading →

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Tried and Tested Repeated in Glen Coe

Posted on December 17, 2017 by Simon Richardson

Duncan Curry and Steve Holmes repeated Tried and Tested (VII,7) on Stob Coire nan Lochan in Glen Coe on December 12. Their ascent is most probably the second ascent of this steep line that takes the chimney-corner formed by the … Continue reading →

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Optimists Arête on Ben Nevis

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Simon Richardson

Taking advantage of the good early season snowfall in the West last weekend, Steve Holmes and Ken Applegate made the long approach up Tower Gully on November 11 to the unformed Upper Tower Cascades on the East Flank of Tower … Continue reading →

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Pinnacle Arete Direct Variation – Second Ascent

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Simon Richardson

On February 8, Steve Holmes, Ken Applegate and Dot Bankowska made the possible second ascent of the Direct Variation (IV,6) to Pinnacle Arete in Coire na Ciste. This variation was first climbed by Robin Clothier and Andy Huntington in October … Continue reading →

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Inception on Ben Nevis

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Simon Richardson

On February 17 Steve Holmes and Duncan Curry added a good mixed route to Secondary Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis. The 95m-long Inception (V,7) climbs the left edge of the inset area of crag between Douglas Gap West Gully and … Continue reading →

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Mixed Pickings on The Gift

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Simon Richardson

On December 5, Kev Shields and Steve Holmes made an enterprising ascent of the mixed ground just right of North Gully on Ben Nevis. “It was pretty sketchy on slabby terrain for two pitches then easier wandering,” Kev told me. … Continue reading →

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