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The Scottish Highlands form one of the world's exceptional climbing areas. The summer rock climbing is unique, but during the winter season these mountains are transformed by the elements into a ferocious arena in which only the skilled and determined will prevail. In the second part of this special LEGEND photo essay, photographer Ian Parnell offers a personal glimpse of the magic of Scottish winter climbing.
Doing battle with the modern mixed testpiece The Secret (VIII,9) on Ben Nevis, Lochaber
The awesome buttresses of Stob Coire nan Lochan, Glencoe, looming through cloud in full winter condition
Mega Route X (VI,6) on Ben Nevis, one of the most classic and sought-after pure ice climbs in Britain; a large majority of Scotland's famous winter climbs are mixed climbs, and Mega Route X stands out as one of the pre-eminent pure ice lines
Top German alpinist Ines Papert climbing the impending dihedral of Stirling Bridge (VI,7) on Aonach Mor
Exiting Number III Gully (I) on Ben Nevis; the mountain is home to a series of classic winter gully climbs, of which Point Five Gully is arguably the most famous
Read me a lesson, Muse, and speak it loud
Upon the top of Nevis, blind in mist!
I look into the chasms, and a shroud
Vapourous doth hide them, - just so much I wist
Upon the top of Nevis, blind in mist!
I look into the chasms, and a shroud
Vapourous doth hide them, - just so much I wist
Mankind do know of hell
- John Keats, Sonnet. Written On The Top Of Ben Nevis
The intimidating wall of Babylon (VII,8) on Ben Nevis
Sunrise on Beinn Eighe, Torridon
Hoar frost high on Ben Nevis, a unique feature of Scottish winter climbing
The modern testpiece Eggaschpili (IX,9) at Stob Coire nan Lochan, Glen Coe
Two international teams experiencing full Scottish winter conditions on Central Grooves (VII,7) at Stob Coire nan Lochan, Glen Coe
A thick layer of hoar frost on the door of the CIC Hut, Ben Nevis; a sign of good conditions on the hill
Climbers walking off the summit plateau of Ben Nevis at the end of a perfect winter day on Britain's highest mountain
Click here to view the first part of this feature
