New Route InformationThis page is being developed. Please send any new route information, including a route description and photos to: Thanks to Blair Fyffe, Steve Ashworth and Stuart the Postie who have sent New Route updates so far - they will be on here soon. Keep them coming..... |
13/2/07 Major new mixed route on Ben Nevis - Knuckleduster gets first winter ascent....
The talented and youthful team of Blair Fyffe and Steve Ashowrth have made a winter ascent of the Ben Nevis HVS 5a Knuckleduster. Situated on the left side of the steep 3 Gully Buttress this intimidating line had repelled other strong parties - on one occassion, with serious consequences.
Steve and Blair described the climbing as high quality, varied, sustained and HARD!....and gave a tentative grading of VIII,9. Steve commented the climbing on Knuckleduster was certainly harder than Unicorn and much harder than the neighbouring Cornucopia - which he did recently.
 |
 |
 |
The short second pitch, 5a in summer, provided the crux with a strenuous rising traverse across a steep wall followed by a hard pull onto the overhung belay.
Winter Knuckleduster becomes another fine addition to the recent collection of hard mixed routes on the Ben - and is probably one of the trickiest....Good effort boys!
??/??/200? Monarchs Crown VI,6 - Aonach Beag N.Face
Thanks to Stuart the Postie, from Saltcoats, for this photo of his and Stuart from Comries fine new icy line on Aonach Beag, North Face. The Red line shows the rising rightward traverse line taken from halfway up the first pitch of the classic ' Royal Pardon' VI,6. The blue line shows the obvious potential for a direct start (in good conditions), making the route entirely independent. Let me know who's first to straighten this out.
 |
