Creag Dubh

Back now in the UK after a stint of filming ice climbing in Sweden for US TV.

Diff and I headed north to film another chapter for the forthcoming DVD, Committed. The movie isn't just about hard headpointing, it also features plenty of onsight climbing.

Tony Stone on Instant Lemon Direct, E4 6a , Creagh Dubh

I've alway contend that Scotland is one of the toughest places to gain big onsight ticks. Although we filmed Dave MacLeod in February when he was lucky enough to find an E7 freshly brushed and chalked up, that is far from the norm. Hard onsighting up here usually means making the second or third ascent of a route that hasn't seen traffic for years and may have loose rock, rusted pegs etc.

So to Creagh Dubh and the prize of an onsight of one of Cubby's last major contributions to Scottish Trad, the line of Yes Yes, E7 6c...

Alan Cassidy attempting Yes Yes, E7 6c, Creagh Dubh

...We won't tell you what happened - that would spoil it when you watch the movie. Enough to say that it was a pretty dramatic day, some very powerful footage.



Dave.