As we are fast approaching the end of the year I figured it was probably time to have a look back through what I have been up to this year. It has been a fairly contrasting year when compared to last year, which was mostly significant due to the significant amount I achieved in winter and in the Alps. However, this year with terrible weather and conditions during winter in the UK and in the Alps during summer.
Despite this I still managed some great routes in Scotland and had an even better time in the Alps taking some chances and being lucky with weather and conditions on the routes we did manage. This was also the first year I have undertaken technical & committing routes in the Alps, rather than busy trade routes, and I am now looking forward to more alpine adventures in 2015. The Flèche Rousse, North Ridge of the Weissmies and the North Face of the Tour Ronde were all long, serious and committing routes. On the first two routes there was no one else attempting the routes which makes you feel very isolated and committed. Additionally, due to the nature of the climbing it have been been almost impossible to reverse either route.
The main achievement for me this year has been my rock climbing, as last year I didn’t feel like I made much progress and was beginning to get frustrated. This year I seemed to hit the rock running and was soon back up to leading what would previously have been my limit, and somehow I seemed to accidentally make the transition to E2 after being totally inspired by the line of Left Wall in the Llanberis pass. After the brilliant start to the season, it just kept getting better and I was reminded just how much I love rock climbing.
The High Points of the year for are as follows:
- Traverse of Beinn Alligin with a brilliant group of friends
- Soloing Golden Oldy
- Early May Bank Holiday in North Wales
- Finally climbing at Lower Sharpnose Point
- Generally all the climbing at Pembroke
- Visiting Range West
- First E2 Onsight
- Climbing out of Huntsman’s Leap
- Lots of trips
- Finally climbing at Lower Sharpnose Point
- Wild Camping at Cloggy
- The Alps
- Lundy
- 4 days of perfect weather
- Massive amount of outstanding climbing (14 routes, 26 pitches, 32 stars)
- Soloing the Devil’s Slide
- Redspeed & Quartermass were the standout routes
- Scotland New Year – Fantastic early season conditions
Fighting to walk into Coire an t’Sneachda
On the walk up to Coire Dubh Mor
High the first pitch of Poacher’s Fall
Walking towards the crest of the Liathach ridge
Nick and Alex on the summit of Liathach
View from the summit of Liathach
Strange cave pitch on George
The exit to the cave on George
At the start of the Traverse of Beinn Alligin
Views of Torridon from Beinn Alligin
Nearly at the top of Sgurr Mhor
Descending down from Sgurr Mhor
At the end of the traverse of Beinn Alligin
Fantastic views on the from Beinn Alligin
Andrew on the Forcan Ridge
Stob Coire nan Lochan
At the top of the first pitch of Raeburns Route
Moving together at the crux of Golden Oldie
Scottish weather on Golden Oldy
Misty Morning on Ben Nevis
Happy to be at the summit
Carn Mor Dearg Arete
On the descent from Carn Mor Dearg
Fantastic weather on the walk in to Lurcher’s Crag
Beautiful walk in to Lurcher’s Crag
Fun ice pitch on Central Gully, Lurcher’s Crag
Descending from the top of Lurcher’s Crag
Descending back to the valley
Andrew leading the third pitch of Angel’s Girdle
Getting high on Rock Idol ((c) Richard Nicholson)
Nick high on Blowin’ in the Wind, Pembroke
Strange rock on Range West
Atmospheric Zawn
Cold belay on Superdirect, Dinas Mot
Me admiring Lower Sharpnose Point
Nearly at the top of Mascon, Lower Sharpnose
Huntsman’s Leap on the day I did my first route out of it
Stunning walk in to Napes Needle
Scrambling at the top of Needle Ridge after climbing Napes Needl
Me on Troutdale Pinnacle
Rich on the Troutdale Pinnacle
Fantastic Position on Lucky Strike, Pembroke
It’s a hard life this climbing lark…
Camping at the base of Cloggy
Sunset from the summit of Cloggy
Sunset on the descent from Cloggy
Camping at the base of Cloggy
Sunrise on a bivi while ascending Mont Buet
Great conditions aproaching the summit of Mont Buet
View from the summit of Mont Buet
Heading up the glacier to the Petite Aiguille Verte
Sun behind the Aiguille d’Argentiere
David high above Chamonix on the Petite Aiguille Verte
Approaching the start of the Fleche Rousse in the dark
Alpenglow on 3 classic north faces above the Argentiere glacier
Stunning view towards Switzerland from the Flèche Rousse
View towards France from the Flèche Rousse
Rich in a stunning position on the Flèche Rousse
Approaching the Flèche Rousse on the Aiguille d’Argentiere
Very exposed final section on the Flèche Rousse
Nearly at the summit of the Aiguille d’Argentiere
Nearly at the summit of the Aiguille d’Argentiere
Knackered but finally at the top!
View towards France from the Aiguille d’Argentiere
Interesting crevasses to negotiate while lost on the Argentière
Don’t look down!
We came down that!!
Sunrise over the Saas Valley
Rich climbing during on the North Ridge of the Weissmies
Rich climbing the Grande Dalle on the North Ridge of the Weissmi
Airy climbing on the North Ridge of the Weissmies
Rich in a stunning position on the North Ridge of the Weissmies
Me on the final tower of the North Ridge of the Weissmies
High on the North Ridge of the Weissmies
The stunning final snow crest
On the steep section of the Tour Ronde North Face
Me in front of the Dent du Géant on the North Face of the Tour
On the final snow crest before the summit of the Tour Ronde
Summit Selfie on the Tour Ronde
View towards Italy from the Tour Ronde
The Tour Ronde North Face
Fantastic climbing at the top of the Rébuffat route
Fantastic Exposure on Moonraker
Andrew soloing Shangri-La
Exposure high on Shangri-La
Me soloing the Devil’s Slide
Serious exposure on the traverse at the top of the Devil’s Slide
The Devil’s Slide
Belaying just above the sea
Nick high on Quartermass
Walking up the Black Mountain in the sunshine
All a bit more wintery on the Black Mountain
Walking up the Cat’s Back on Christmas Day
Family Selfie on the Summit of Black Hill
Walking into a rimed up Coire na Ciste in the morning
Me leading the main pitch on Green Gully
Stunning views on the descent
Moonlit Ben Nevis
Steve near the top of P1 on Morwind
Me on the final pitch of Morwind