Andy Nisbet and Steve Perry, two highly experienced climbers, have died in a fall on Ben Hope.
Andy Nisbet (65) from Aberdeen and his climbing partner Steve Perry (47) from Inverness, have both died whilst winter climbing on Ben Hope.
Concerns were raised for the two climbers on Tuesday 5th February, who got into difficulty on the mountain at around 3.45pm. A major search operation by the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team was launched and, after a long search, the bodies of the two climbers were found by a helicopter crew on the north-west side of the peak early on Wednesday morning. It is believed that they were moving together on the upper sections after completing a route.
Both were highly experienced winter climbers and members of the Scottish Mountaineering Club.
Andy Nisbet was the most active prolific mountaineer that Scotland has ever produced, with over 1,000 new winter routes to his name, and he received the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture at the 2014 Fort William Mountain Festival.
Steve Perry was also a highly passionate winter climber. In recent years he established a new-routing partnership with Andy and together they pioneered the development of new winter climbs on Ben Hope, the most northerly Munro.
Andy Nisbet in his study in 2013. Photo: Gary Latter.
“It’s terrible news. Andy was a keen and regular host at the BMC Winter International Meets. He was always really positive and extremely generous in sharing his immense experience and encyclopaedic knowledge of conditions, and about winter climbs and walks, in Scotland. A sage and master of his craft, he’ll be sorely missed by the mountaineering world.” – Nick Colton, Deputy CEO, BMC
“This is such tragic news: Not only did so many of us prize repeating a Nisbet route, but Andy was a talented and well known mountaineering instructor and former aspirant guide who shared with so many people not only his passion for climbing and walking but also his technical skills and his incomparable knowledge of the Highlands.” – John Cousins, Chief Executive Officer, Mountain Training UK
Deepest condolences to the friends and family of both climbers from all at the BMC.
Andy was also nicknamed The Honey Monster. Photo: Gary Latter.
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