Ice Climbing
I
often did not take a camera with me when winter climbing and anyway always found it hard to get good shots. Ice climbing and photography is a hard mix. I rather regret not having any photos of the many fine routes I did north of the border on the big bad Ben and Craig Meaghaidh. Living in North Wales, Ysgolion Duon was my local crag in winter and when in condition provided many fine routes and I was privileged to do some new routes there. I was introduced to the Ice climbing in the la Grave area by Terry Taylor who was maestro on ice and I worked there for several winter seasons.
Ypres – The Black Ladders
Ypres- Len & I had added a new start The Arctic Goove VI 6 to gain Ypres which then gave an excellent way up the cliff with fine climbing.
Western Gully -1st cave pitch
Western Gully V 6 – Ysgolion Duon or The Black Ladders. One of the great Welsh classics. We managed to climb both cave pitches direct and then the RH finish. A grand day out on a magnificent winter crag.
No Mans Land
No Mans Land V 6 – Black Ladders – A line we spotted whilst traversing into Gallipoli. Giving good climbing up a narrow icy funnel
Pylon R hand
Pylon R hand La Grave – One of the many easily accessible icefalls in the La Grave region in France
Le Doigt d’Astarothe
Le Doigt d’Astarothe – La Grave. A stunning free standing icicle, scary and hard