Climbing Blog
Winter So Far...
We are once again in the predictable part of the Scottish Winter season where it is plus five degrees on the summits, the promising fresh snow has all melted, and new UK high temperature records are being set. I have however managed to scrape together some very memorable days from the variable conditions we’ve been grappling with, including my original ‘dream route’, which has been something like six years in the making...
First Snowfall
It’s starting to fall and the first routes have been claimed.
Hopefully the Daily Star have correctly predicted SnowMageddon for the
first time in history and this is the begining of a bumper season.And it has had me thinking about the most significant winter days I have had over the years. So this is a nostalgic look over the three winter routes which have had the biggest impact on myself, for better or for worse...
The Ghost of Toni Kurz
“Tap, tap, tap”
What could be making that sound?
“Tap, tap, tap”
To me, the sound was distinctive and unmistakable. I was utterly convinced that the sound was of somebody tapping an ice axe against the rock, only several meters from where I lay...
The Glencoe Quad
Like most winter climbers who start their career in Glasgow, Glencoe
holds a special place in my heart. I have had many formative experiences
above the A82, from sunny days on ridges to cold nights in Crypts. Back in 2020 myself and Murray decided to set ourselves the goal of climbing all four of the neoclassic grade VII’s on the four big Glencoe crags: Un Poco Loco on Church Door Buttress, Central Grooves in Stob Coire nan Lochan, Neanderthal on Lost Valley Buttress, and the intimidating Ravens Edge on Buchaille Etive Mor...