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Winter Climbing Quiz

    
 

28/11/2006, Fort William. Winter has been flirting with us here in the North West Highlands - Now it's wet, warm and windy on the hill but to be fair it was a good wintery November and has hopefully set the scene for the rest of a great 2006/07 winter. To whet the appetite even further, whether you are heading for the Highlands or jetting out for some euro-ice, read on...

Below are 20 photo-questions. The first ten are closer to home and all in the Scottish Highlands. The second 10 are all from the European Alps. Each question is worth 1 point or if it contains two sections - half a point for each.

The person with the highest score by Jan 1st 2007 (or if there are numerous 'clean sweeps' the first complete entry drawn from a hat) will receive a superb Black Diamond Turbo Express Ice-Screw. The perfect protection for those icy pitches we're all hoping for over the winter.

Email me your answers (rob@highlandguides.com) and I'll send you back your score.

Bonne Chance and best wishes for a great winter on the hills, Rob.

  
   
Scottish Winter Climbing
 
 
1. Entering which feature on which superb 'Scottish alpine' face?
 
 

2. British Columbia? Kandersteg? No, this fantastic icy corrie is in the Highlands. What's the name of the corrie and the mountain it's on?
  
 
3. This route IS (unlike others that have been described as such!) a good introduction to harder modern snowed up rock climbing. Name the route.
  
 
4. When in condition the obvious big icy line on the left provides a magnificent outing in Scottish ice climbing. Half a point for naming the mountain and half a point for the route.
  
 
5. This is the steep first pitch of which excellent West Coast mixed route?
  
 
6. This remote Highland crag is magnificent in both winter and summer, what crag is it?
  
 
7. This outstanding ice climb is not esoteric - It's probably the most famous gully in the World! - and for good reason. Name the route and mountain.
  
 
8. I've done this excellent wee route a few times and always found leaving the belay on the main pitch desperate! Anyway, what route is it?!
  
 
9. IFMGA guide Jonny Baird on what used to be one of his local crags - but what excellent mixed route is he on?
  
 
10. Taken in the same position as a former guide book shot. This climber is at the top of which excellent mid-grade route?
  
       
   
Alpine Winter Climbing & North Faces
  
 
1. Doug Ranford skinning into which major alpine north face?
 
 
2. Which 2 major alpine north faces are visible in the background?
  
 
3. Yes - quite a good winter line that! Which fantastic route is this an autumn view of?
  
 
4. Heike Puchan heading onto the 'Psychedelic Wall' pitch. Half a point for the route name and half for naming the alpine North Face it is on.
  
 
5. This alpine mountain is more famous for it's superb ridge traverse than this North Face - what is the peak?
  
 
6. The route in the centre was the scene of a major 70's alpine coup for 2 young British climbers (one unemployed and one a Leeds Uni student)- stealing this alpine north face 'plum' from under the noses of the locals. Who were they?
  
 

 

 

 

 

7. The left to right slanting line above Tracy's head was another alpine coup for which 2 Brits in the mid 70's? Later, a much harder route just to the right was added to the face by which anglo-american team?

 
 
8. This French North Face is away from the traditional alpine climbing flesh-pots, but it has some excellent icy lines on it. Half a point for the general area and half for the peak name.
  
 
9. This excellent alpine mixed route is not as popular with Brits as it's more famous neighbour. Half a point for the crag - half for the route name.
  
 

10. James Thacker at the top of which smallish and popular alpine North Face.

  
       
       
That's it - nobody said it was going to be easy! Contact me if you need the odd clue! The person with the highest score by Jan 1st 2007 (or if there are numerous 'clean sweeps' the first complete entry drawn from a hat) - wins a brand new Black Diamond Turbo Express Ice-Screw.....so get thinking.....

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