Scottish snow and ice an international hit

Posted by Emma Travers on 02/03/2020
Wadim Jablonski from Poland climbing a hard route in Glen Coe. Photo by Paul Ramsden

A week-long gathering in Scotland of mountaineers from across the world has been hailed a massive success as climbers from 22 countries enjoy Scotland’s mountains.

Climbers from Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, the Americas and South Korea came as guests of Mountaineering Scotland to pair up with UK climbers and sample the unique character of Scottish winter climbing.

Ice-axe wielding and crampon-shod, they climbed well-known classic ice routes and hard, modern test-pieces – and also notched up six entirely new routes, including one amongst the hardest ever done in Scotland.

Some of the 60-strong group even took part in a mountain rescue, when they witnessed an avalanche on Ben Nevis and abandoned their own climbs to give initial support and First Aid to the victim until the Mountain Rescue Team arrived for the evacuation.

Host climber Luca Celano and Carl Nystedt from Sweden climbing in the Cairngorms. Photo by Marc Langley.

After a week of climbing, sometimes in challenging weather, both guest and host climbers were unanimous in declaring the event a great success, with the guests, most of whom have experience of climbing in the Alps and greater ranges – enthusing about the whole challenge and experience of winter climbing in Scotland.

Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland, said “Mountaineering Scotland has been delighted to host this event in our 50th year, and to be able to welcome climbers from 22 different countries and all over the UK to enjoy some of the best winter climbing conditions Scotland has seen in many years. It’s been a great opportunity to showcase Scotland on an international stage and many of our international guests have been so enthused about the experience they are already talking about when they are going to come back. Thanks to our partner organisations and to all the volunteers who helped deliver such a fantastic event.

Streap Alba Geamhradh 2020 – the name means Climb Scotland Winter 2020 in Gaelic – was revived this year as part of the celebrations to mark Mountaineering Scotland’s 50th anniversary. It was supported by the Scottish Mountaineering Club, The Alpine Club, British Mountaineering Council and Salewa.

Organisers had been worried that climbing conditions would be poor, with a relatively warm December and January, but in the week or so before the international guests arrived colder conditions blew in and plastered the cliffs and gullies with snow and ice.

The visiting climbers were teamed up with UK climbers of similar ability and climbed in various mountain areas of Scotland, staying in climbing huts in the Cairngorms, Glen Coe and on Ben Nevis itself.


We want to say a big thanks to every BMC member who continues to support us through the Coronavirus crisis.

From weekly Facebook Lives and GB Climbing home training videos, to our access team working to re-open the crags and fight for your mountain access, we couldn’t do it without you.

Did you know that we've launched a U27 membership offer for just £1.50 / month? And with full membership from £2.50 / month, it's never been easier to join and support our work: 

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/join-the-bmc-for-1-month-U27-membership


« Back

Post a comment Print this article

This article has been read 4456 times

TAGS

Click on the tags to explore more

RELATED ARTICLES

Winners announced for the Women in Adventure Film Competition 2020
0
Winners announced for the Women in Adventure Film Competition 2020

Inspirational winners revealed as the 2020 BMC TV Women in Adventure Film competition awards are announced.
Read more »

All September BMC Climbing Competitions cancelled for 2020
1
All September BMC Climbing Competitions cancelled for 2020

All three BMC climbing competitions due to take place in September have now been cancelled.
Read more »

BMC AGM 2020
0
BMC AGM 2020

This year, the BMC’s AGM is being held virtually using the platform GoToWebinar. You can join us on Saturday 13 June at 3pm to have your say on the running of the BMC, from the comfort of your own home.
Read more »

Post a Comment

Posting as Anonymous Community Standards
3000 characters remaining
Submit
Your comment has been posted below, click here to view it
Comments are currently on | Turn off comments
0

There are currently no comments, why not add your own?

RELATED ARTICLES

Winners announced for the Women in Adventure Film Competition 2020
0

Inspirational winners revealed as the 2020 BMC TV Women in Adventure Film competition awards are announced.
Read more »

All September BMC Climbing Competitions cancelled for 2020
1

All three BMC climbing competitions due to take place in September have now been cancelled.
Read more »

BMC AGM 2020
BMC AGM 2020
0

This year, the BMC’s AGM is being held virtually using the platform GoToWebinar. You can join us on Saturday 13 June at 3pm to have your say on the running of the BMC, from the comfort of your own home.
Read more »

BMC MEMBERSHIP
Join 82,000 BMC members and support British climbing, walking and mountaineering. Membership only £16.97.
Read more »
BMC SHOP
Great range of guidebooks, DVDs, books, calendars and maps.
All with discounts for members.
Read more »
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Get covered with BMC Insurance. Our five policies take you from the beach to Everest.
Read more »