Creag an Dubh Loch in all its glory on a perfect Spring morning! Looking very dry and very inviting from the approach path.
Central Gully Wall basking in the morning sunshine – Dubh Loch Monster starts up and left of the central shadowed corner of King Rat and trends left to breach the steep wall left of the King Rat roof
The mighty Central Slabs in very good condition, scene of our grand day out on Cyclops.
Andy arrives at the belay stance below the crux notch, after a mellow re-introduction to the delights of Dubh Loch granite weirdness
Committing to the innocuous-looking but surprisingly steep crux. Very well protected but some stiff pulls required! Photo credit: Andy Harrison
Andy enjoying his perch on the post-crux ledge – a horizontal haven from the steepness below!
Excellent exposed moves up the arete constitute the main interest on a short pitch 3
The psychological crux of the whole route for me – committing moves on a rising traverse with just enough gear. Fantastic climbing! Photo credit: Andy Harrison
Andy padding his way across the insecure rising traverse on pitch 4. Pulling the bulge felt very committing, although thankfully gear does appear.
Andy in his element after negotiating the short wall before the corner on pitch 5. This was a tough pitch, sustained, with a crux that felt just as hard as anything below.
Balancing across the final slab of pitch 5 after an unrelenting pitch – a proper sting in the tail! Photo credit: Andy Harrison
Andy on the easier ground of pitch 6, which felt suspiciously like the final section of King Rat. Can’t complain though!
Andy basks in the sun after emerging from the shadow of the Dubh Loch Monster. I’ll never tire of these views!
