Climbing at Wharncliffe Wharncliffe ? ……………… Wharncliffe ? Is that a relative of Heathcliff ? Well there are some similarities, for sure. Pennine moorland, a swarthy appearance, an unapproachable nature. and an element of deception. However Wharncliffe is the younger of the two – having been climbed… Continue reading
GETTING OUR GOET Southern Highlands, 30 November and 1st December 2013 From Glencoe to Loch Earn is 52 miles. It must have been a tough journey 400 years ago, crossing the trackless Rannoch Moor on foot, when there were no roads at all in the highlands (and no effective law,… Continue reading
Wednesday 20th Nov saw me and my lonesome self driving up to the top of Wrynrose pass with the intention of walking over to Wetherlam via Swirl How. I was informed by the MWIS forecast that summit temperatures would be around 0 degress but with winds blowing at a constant… Continue reading
PINNACLE RIDGE 22nd November The big smooth slab below the ‘finger” offered few possibilities for traction under its light covering of snow. At this point Various Stratagems were implemented to maintain upward progress, and indeed the rope came out. … Continue reading
This was the summit of Great Gable on Sunday 10th November, just emerging from a light mist. As usual, climbers and hill-goers gathered for a 2 minutes silence at 11.00 am. The occasion originates from the Fell and Rock Club, who installed a cast bronze war memorial on the summit… Continue reading
FOUR COURSES IN BADENOCH 3rd to 6th October 2013 Antipasti. A starter to whet the appetite. Can be fairly sizeable. As we drifted north over Drumochter Pass, on Friday morning, the shapes of mountains started gradually to emerge from the low cloud. “We could go up that one……” someone said.… Continue reading
PEANMEANACH Here are a few pictures of Peanmeanach bothy. It has an idyllic beach-side location. The bothy itself has two good rooms on the ground floor, plus a loft sleeping area. Its 2 hours walk in, over some surprisingly rugged terrain. We found a certain amount of driftwood to burn,… Continue reading
Scottish Rock – August ’13 For the first time in about 8 years, Maria and I didn’t go to the Alps this summer. In its place, we had a long weekend in Florence and a couple of weeks travelling round Scotland, trying to follow the good weather and get plenty… Continue reading
Loch and I climbed this magnificent route recently. 6 pitches of sustained, exposed interest. And some incredible views! Leading pitch 3: Loch on the interesting traverse (use long runners!) Belay on top of the Pinnacle: Me, topping out after the final steep pitch: Great day out. Well worth a trip… Continue reading
My Grandmother began life at Whitrigg near the Solway Firth in 1890, and from the most northerly Lake District mountain on Friday night, I could see (in theory at least) the lights of the farm where she was born. We’d got to the top of High Pike just as the last… Continue reading
