Category: climbing
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The Candlestick – practical advice
Amazingly, I climbed this stack for a second time with friends Ryan and Rob this month – March ’26. See an engrossing account by Ryan here – https://ryangilmour.github.io/2026/03/18/the-candlestick.html Our team this year was strong, and my prior knowledge of the techniques and skills required, useful. The mystery of challenges to overcome was definitely some of…
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Mount Geryon Traverse
A highlight marking the end of ‘Tassie’ summer and a great objective for any climber. This technical traverse taking in the remote and stunning skyline of Mt Geryon North to South in central Tasmania A climb of alpine proportions requiring several abseils, some pitches of roped climbing and a lot of muesli bars. 26th February…
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The most challenging day… Celebrian, or thereabouts…
This day was one of the greater tests of our climbing. Climbing ‘Celebrian n6’ Beth, Pat and I set off and unfortunately are snaked on the hitches, so we walk a good 45m before getting picked up by a nice German couple in a camper. A brisk hike into Djupfijord and we arrive to find…
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Vestpillaren direct
As seen on UKC ticklist ‘best multi-pitch E2s in Europe, or thereabouts’ Vestpillaran Direct n6, Presten 27th June 2025 One of the main objectives for this trip, and boy did it deliver. First hand account in those endless 24hr summer Arctic days, in stunning sunny Northern Norway. In our group of eight, as usual, everyone…
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The Candlestick
Sea stacks have become a theme on this blog… 27th March 2025 Preparation This impressive 110m stack, dwarfing its famous neighbour the Totem Pole, is an obvious target for many ‘frothers’. The goal is set with messages exchanged a few days before, playing shift Tetris to finally line up an adventure with my workmate, Cass.…
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The Moai
30th October 2024 A fine feature, accessible and challenges to overcome on Burning Spear. As the book says, an awesome spot just to mellow out. Approach My relatively new climbing buddy had managed to get a day off caring for his infant and was keen to climb the Maoi. His partner had climbed it recently.…
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Polyphemus Gully V, 5 Lochnagar
Eastern Caringorms, 6th March 2024 Dimly lit roads see a Barn Owl, roadkill mountain hares and a fair deal of murky weather. The drive past the Lecht from Inverness is long. There is no one parked at the dull carpark of Spittal of Glen Muick. It’s raining. We set off about 0730 and march into…