Thursday, December 4, 2008

The good, the bad and the downright terrifying

I've just got back from two extraordinary days on Beinn Eighe in Torridon. I won't describe all that went on as I'm writing a short piece for Climb Mag. All that I can say is that Jon Winter and I saw every possible aspect of the Scottish winter game including some sides I'd be quite happy if I never saw again.
The incomparable Tripple Buttress of Beinn Eighe. On our first day in after 4 1/2 hours trail breaking we picked our way up the classic West Buttress IV,4. A 400m traditional mountaineering style route, one of the best of its type I've done. Day 2 and Jon experiencing the good and the bad. The sweat and suffering of 3 1/2 trail breaking to the summit but under the magic of a Torridon dawn.
The West Central Wall, for me the future of Scottish winter climbing. We attempted something new, climbing 60m before blank rock and gathering darkness nessitated running away. I'd love to go back and try again but the horror of what ensued on the descent will have to fade.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hey looks great up their!(says the romantic in me).
Looks like hard work that walk in,Jon looks half dead!
Then again he always does!(Only joking, Jon Sorry!).
Nice one Parnell, when are you going back up thier to put that new route up?Looks like a good start to the winter.
Lets hope it is!!?