Kirriehill
Yesterday Pamela and I headed up to Kirriemuir to avoid the rain and had a very pleasant day sport climbing.
Old photo of me sport climbing at Kirriehill as I forgot the camera yesterday.
Kirriehill
Ivor and I had a very sunny afternoon climbing at Kirriehill, Kirriemuir, today. After warming up we spent most of the time working out the moves on a route we’re both trying to redpoint. Neither of us got it today, but it felt like it was getting closer, which made for a positive day.
Ivor warming up on Xmas Xcess, which has a tough start for the grade.
Kirriemuir
Euan, Ivor and I were heading to Glen Clova this morning, however the cloud was lower than expected and it looked like the crags in Clova would still be wet, so we stopped off at Kirriehill in Kirriemuir and had a good day climbing sports routes there instead.
Euan onsighting the very good arête of Bon the Edge. Photo credit: Ivor McCourt.
Kirrie Hill
Mick and I headed up to Kirriemuir today for some sport climbing. It was my first pure rock climbing day of the season and Mick’s first rock climbing in 8 years.
Mick climbing Markerhorn, Kirrie Hill.
The venue proved a good choice being sheltered from the cool northerly breeze; catching the sun and having lots of routes across the easier grades allowing us to climb 10 routes in a relatively short time. For those who are interested the higher Angus hills could be glimpsed from the approach and still seemed to be holding quite a lot of snow.
Autumn Days Out
Over the past few weeks I have been enjoying climbing, scrambling and walking in Scotland and the Lake District.
I have visited Kirrie Hill with Gordon and Greg sports climbing. This crag is an excellent choice at this time of year as it is very sheltered and catches the sun.
With Colin, Chris and Paul I visited the Lake District. We had a good couple of days scrambling in Sourmilk Ghyll and bouldering at St.Bees. The great advantage of visiting the Lake District at this time of year is that it is very quiet. We were the only climbers at St.Bees.
Bouldering at St.Bees
Kirrie Hill
I was out again today rock climbing with Ivor. After working quite hard at Rob’s Reed yesterday we headed to Kirrie Hill today for some mileage on easier routes. The weather was beautiful and after a request stop at Visocchi’s in Kirriemuir we had a very pleasant time at the crag climbing circa 10 routes.
Me climbing at Kirrie Hill. Photo Credit: Ivor McCourt.
It’s another bolted sandstone conglomerate crag and some care is required with the rock in places, so it’s worth considering a helmet for the belayer. However, there are lots of good routes in a sheltered South facing location and well worth a visit. I forgot my camera today, so the photo is actually from last year, but gives an idea of the type of climbing.
Balmashanner and Kirremuir
Ivor and I visited Balmashanner and Kirremuir yesterday for some autumn sports climbing before the rain set in today. Balmashanner was dry and Kirremuir was in good condition.
Sports climbing at Balmashanner Quarry.
Kirriemuir
Ivor, Zac and I were up at Kirriehill today. We did a number of routes and worked one of the harder lines. The weather stayed dry until a light shower late in the afternoon.
Myself leading The Zoo. Photo Credit: Ivor McCourt
Kirriehill
Iona & Bob from Falkirk Community Trust and I set off for Glen Clova today on the basis of a dry forecast for that area. However, by the time we reached Kirriemuir it was raining lightly and the view up The Glens showed more rain in that direction. We switched plan and headed to the bolted sandstone conglomerate crag of Kirriehill. The rock there was generally dry and stayed dry through a few light showers allowing us to climb all day.
Bob seconding El Captain
We climbed a good selection of routes either leading or bottom roping. Iona and Bob both led their first outdoor sports routes and learnt how to re-thread at the top of a bolted climb, if required.
Iona leading Markerhorn
Kirriehill, Kirriemuir
Ivor and I were out sport climbing at Kirriemuir today. After a stop at Visocchi’s in the town for coffee and a quick bite we headed up to the crag. This is a very pleasant and easy access sport climbing venue with more than 70 routes from 3 to 7a+. The rock is a sandstone/conglomerate. Some care is required with the rock on a few of the routes and it’s worth considering a helmet for both climber and belayer.
The crag is very sheltered and something of a sun trap, so despite the odd very light shower we were able to climb most of the day in t-shirts. Bolt clipping in the sun after a visit to an Italian cafe… all very continental.
