A new bit of slab climbing at Lochailort

Yesterday I was once again back at the Lochailort Slab with Kev, this time we were joined by Nathan and David who were keen to see what all the fuss was about. This is potentially my favourite crag in Scotland, mainly as its great rock and I have had allot of success here but today wasn’t going to be my day. I had a constant electric shock running down my leg courtesy of my trapped sciatic nerve, cut a long story short: I tried to climb and failed miserably…………

Kev on the first ascent of Bonnie Fechter E4,6b

Tenuous moves on Bonnie Fechter E4,6b

It was to be a good day for the others though. Kev kick starting the day off with a new route on a slab a short distance down the hill underneath the main crag. Named Bonnie Fechter and graded E4,6b, this route is short but certainly packs a punch, one for me to come back to. Nathan spent some time cleaning a couple of crack lines over to the left and managed to climb one that he named Spanglers Bunnet and graded Severe 4b, David followed suit before we all took a stroll up to the main crag.

Nathan on the first ascent of Spanglers Bunnet S,4b

Skyfall (E6,6b) has been a bit of a mental barrier for Kev, but if any day was going to be ‘the day’ then this was it……… Full of good sentiment from completing his new route it took just a couple of quick blasts on a top rope before Kev managed to dispatch the route in good style. Again I could only stand and admire, genuinely relieved and excited that he had finally managed to put this route to bed.

Kev making familiar moves on Skyfall E6,6b

Big span on Skyfall E6,6b

Psyched to see Kev getting this sent!

Nathan and David then climbed Buried Treasure (HS), Jacobite Rising (HVS,5a) **2nd ascent and finished with Midgearamadrama (Vs,4c). Great to see new people at this amazing crag, I look forward to the new guidebook coming out later this year.

Nathan on the second ascent of Jacobite Rising HVS,5a

David climbing Midgearamadrama VS,4c

And Nathan following