Major new route on Ben Nevis :: "The Secret"..

Yesterday, Andy Turner, Steve Ashworth and Viv Scott added a major new mixed route to Ben Nevis with their ascent of 'The Secret'.

This often eyed line was well known to many local activists, and an ascent was perhaps inevitable. Having spoken to Andy today he described it as "probably technically harder than any of the moves on 'Cornucopia' (VII,9) and sustained from the bottom to the top". The boys are still speculating about a grade, but no doubt it is going to be fairly hefty! [After some discussion Andy has committed himself to a grade of X,10, which may well make 'The Secret' the hardest onsight ascent in Scotland].

The video below (filmed by Steve Ashworth) gives an indication of the slow but technical nature of Scottish mixed..

Steve and Andy have been up on Ben Nevis climbing again today, along with quite a few other folk. Blair Fyffe and partner climbed the modern classic 'Slab Climb' (VI,7) along with Graham Ettle and his partner who were close behind.

Over in the Cairngorms David Monteith and Chris Plant were out in Corrie Lochain and reported that the snow pack was unconsolidated and heavy going to get up to the base of the routes. Parties were on 'Y gully' right branch and 'Sidewinder' (III).

All inspirational stuff this early in the season. Further south it has been a cold a crisp day out on the gritstone edges in derbyshire, with many folk out enjoying the climbing and bouldering. It looks like the weather is set to be fairly stable for the week in the Peak District..