climbing adventures in Scotland and abroad
Five years ago Ric and I had a superb trip to the granite playground of the Grimsel Pass and surrounding area in the Swiss Alps, ticking some long slab routes and the mega-classic Sudgrat on the Salbitschijen. However, unseasonably wet … Read More »
Paklenica is a national park on the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, famous for huge karstic limestone cliffs and sparsely-bolted, sandbagged routes. The climbing here, especially on the multi-pitches, is more akin to adventurous alpine rock climbing than sport climbing. In … Read More »
It’s always nice to prolong the summer with a last gasp of warm sun and dry rock before the winter really gets going in Scotland. This time the chosen venue was the sport climbing paradise of El Chorro, in the … Read More »
With such superb weather and dry conditions across the Highlands, it would have been a travesty not to make the most of the opportunity and get into somewhere wild and remote. Andy and I both fancied a wee jaunt into … Read More »
Many a time Ric had waxed lyrical about a mystical land where unbroken granite slabs sweep 500m into the sky. He enthused about immaculate rock quality, pure friction moves and spicy bolt-spacing. He also mentioned unfinished business, so it was … Read More »
Sometimes it’s good to indulge in a bit of reminiscing, particularly so when Scottish winter climbing adventures can leave such a profound impression. Below I’ve gathered my favourite images form recent winters and accompanied each with a short vignette. Every … Read More »
Fresh from our adventures on Hammer, we took the opportunity to head out to the most westerly point on the UK mainland to sample the immaculate gabbro of the ring dyke crags of Ardnamurchan. These remote outcrops form part of … Read More »
Rarely does a climbing trip planned in advance coincide with good, let alone exceptional, weather but this time the stars aligned and we plotted a course for classic venues in the West Highlands. First up was a visit to Beinn … Read More »
There can be fewer better places to capitalise on a heat wave than the remote Garbh Choire of Beinn a’ Bhuird – the high elevation north-facing cliffs are dank in typical conditions but provide spectacular routes in grand surroundings once … Read More »
A deep thaw followed by a rapid refreeze in late March saw the high ice routes on Ben Nevis come into superb condition. So when a perfect weather day appeared in the forecast it was a done deal – Andy … Read More »