It All Came Together on The Hoarmaster and The Message

22 Jan

When it all comes together there really is nowhere else I would rather be winter climbing than Scotland. Even if that does mean another trip to the ever-reliable Norries… Cold north-westerlies earlier in the week had rimed the buttresses facing the wind and refrozen the turf, while depositing very little powder. Combined with Saturday’s forecast we knew it was going to be good, but it was clear when the sun came up that it was set to be a rather special day!

It’s gonna be a good ‘un! Lovely dawn light and breaking clouds greeted us at the base of the crags. Photo credit: Paul Gibbison

 

It was always going to be busy, so we got an early start into Coire an Lochain, ensuring we had first dibs. The Hoarmaster (VI, 6) was plan A and by the time I had dragged myself, sweating bullets, to the base of the route, Joe was already racked up and straining at the leash. He flew off the mark and scampered up the deceptively tricky start to the base of the famous chimney.

Joe frogging himself into the start of the chimney – one of the trickier sections dispatched in style!

 

The view from Hoarmaster – Katie and Flavio enjoying the excellent conditions and quality climbing on Deep Throat and Savage Slit

 

The moves into the chimney provide the first crux, but Joe needed very little thinking time and soon wriggled into it’s confines. Hopping between the better footholds on sinker hooks, he made smooth progress and exited the chimney to face the second crux – a mantel-shelf onto a ledge. A good impression of a beached whale followed by a lay-back up a tricky corner saw Joe happy at the belay after his first grade VI lead!

Joe ensconced in the back-and-foot section of the chimney, where improving footholds on the right wall allow a moment of respite!

 

All ‘go’ in Lochain as a colourful climber motors up to the start of the Y-gully pinnacle to climb The Gathering

 

A great perspective on the route from the base of Deep Throat, with Joe fully engaged in the chimney. Photo credit: Paul Gibbison

 

Andy followed quickly and also made short work of the pitch, seeming to skip through the difficulties. I, however, was experiencing a high-gravity day and took my time, absolutely determined to climb the pitch cleanly. It was a good excuse to savour the moves though – one of the best mixed pitches I’ve climbed!

Why you should always wear bright colours climbing! Joe standing out on the final strenuous corner of pitch 1. Photo credit: Paul Gibbison

 

The climbing on the second pitch didn’t let up at all and it didn’t feel much easier than the first; just slightly less sustained. It was clearly no issue for Andy, who made excellent progress in a spectacular position through more bulges and short chimneys. The final bulge was a tricky little number, but we were soon on the plateau for tea and medals, trying to decide what to do next.

Andy getting busy with one of the numerous short sections of squeeze-chimney on the second pitch. 

 

Crystal clear views to the west coast from the top of Coire an Lochain. Cairn Toul, Braeriach and Sgor Goith in the foreground.

 

With time on our side we mooched over the plateau and around to windy col, before depositing bags and dropping down easily to the base of the Mess of Pottage. The crag was still crawling with teams and after much deliberation Andy and I decided on The Message (IV, 6), while Joe headed off to take photos. The first pitch was heavily iced so protection only came at the first mixed steps higher up. The climbing was fun and straightforward, barring the final corner to the belay, which requires some stiff pulls with feet pressed high in a flared crack behind you.

Andy working those hips on the classic corner pitch of The Message – a total hook-fest and easily protectable in these conditions. Photo credit: Dave Stocks

 

The hardest section on the route by far; this slim corner-groove does have a positive hook on the left but the feet are thin and getting out of the groove requires some very technical grovelling. Photo credit: Dave Stocks

 

Andy fired the second pitch in good time, only pausing on the slim left-hand corner at the start of the pitch. This perplexing section was considerably harder than the famous corner above; which afforded continuous positive hooks and nice bridging positions. The final pitch involves another corner before a spectacular pull out left onto the arete leads you up slabby steps to the top.

A route that keeps on giving, the final pitch provides brilliant positive climbing in an exposed position! Photo credit: Dave Stocks

 

A fitting way to end a great day – soft pastel hues and bright moonlight. Photo credit: Joe Dobson

 

We were greeted by a stunning pink sunset and a moon so bright it cast our shadows on to the snow as we walked happily back down. Two classic routes in good condition, in great company, in perfect weather – I won’t be forgetting this one in a hurry!

 

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *