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the shizzle => bouldering => topos - bouldering => Topic started by: Ceej on October 17, 2013, 01:06:23 pm

Title: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Ceej on October 17, 2013, 01:06:23 pm
The wait is over, almost...
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7538425@N05/10325997415/# (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7538425@N05/10325997415/#)
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on October 17, 2013, 01:09:34 pm
"welcome to the jumble" - genius.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Duma on October 17, 2013, 01:19:31 pm
is Welcone a typo or am I missing something?
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on October 17, 2013, 01:24:34 pm
I hope it got picked up in proofreading!
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: csl on October 17, 2013, 01:30:42 pm
I pray it did, what an unfortunate place to have a typo.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on October 17, 2013, 01:42:18 pm
richieb says it's been fixed
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Duma on October 17, 2013, 01:44:04 pm
phew!

Great cover image btw
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Ian T on October 17, 2013, 01:45:24 pm
Surely the authors haven't tried the old 'Typo on the front cover to stimulate interest in a new guide' ploy?

These are dark times we live in...
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Ceej on October 18, 2013, 01:12:20 pm
"welcome to the jumble" - genius.

Agreed! Made me chuckle.

I am really excited for this, it's very well timed as well now, (dare I say it?) the midgies are gone.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: davej on October 18, 2013, 02:22:29 pm
looks ace. I'm up in the ullapool area in a couple of weeks is it likely to be out by then?? 
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Ian T on October 19, 2013, 10:06:32 am
Fimgers crossed, it should be out by them. Sorry, that should read 'Fingers crossed, it should be out by then.'
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on October 22, 2013, 12:48:51 pm
Ian / Richie, will it just be for "the Jumble" or include the stuff "o'er t' road" like The Essence, Scotty dog, etc.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Ian T on October 22, 2013, 09:20:04 pm
Although it's mostly the Jumble we've also included all the stuff on the south side of the glen and any minor areas.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Pebblespanker on October 25, 2013, 08:47:03 am
Ian do you yet know which shops/walls will stock the guide?? Tiso, TCA, Ratho etc? really looking forward seeing the finished guide and hoping to pre-order if possible, thanks
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: richieb on October 25, 2013, 08:37:56 pm
I think this is the situation, Ian will be able to correct if I've got it wrong.

There will be a stash of guides available at North West Outdoors in Ullapool.  Both Dave MacLeod and John Watson/Stonecountry have kindly agreed to sell the guide via their online stores. 
It may well be available elsewhere, I think we will be able to confirm this next week.

I did wonder if it would be more appropriate if the guide was only available in a few old school petrol stations in the North West, next to the counter with the fray bentos pies, the brillo pads and the thinsulate woolly hats. Not on Sundays though. Or Mondays. Or during the winter.   

I think we should be getting the main stock from the printer early next week, so it should be available soon after.



Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on November 01, 2013, 10:48:50 am
It's heeeer!

http://northwestoutdoors.co.uk/Torridon_Bouldering_Guide.htm (http://northwestoutdoors.co.uk/Torridon_Bouldering_Guide.htm)
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Pebblespanker on November 03, 2013, 10:49:47 pm
Already ordered, impatiently awaiting  :bounce:
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Stewart on November 04, 2013, 01:47:27 pm
Mine just arrived  :great:

Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Pebblespanker on November 05, 2013, 11:41:53 am
Mine too, top job guys  :icon_beerchug:
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Jack.G on November 06, 2013, 08:17:35 pm
Sterling effort, long anticipated and totally worth it, well done guys.

Laughed out loud at some of the descriptions and photo captions, the introduction is brilliant.   :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: GazM on November 08, 2013, 09:23:19 am
Yeah, totally agree.  A top effort guys.  Thought I'd share a few thoughts:
http://gaz-softrock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/coming-of-age.html (http://gaz-softrock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/coming-of-age.html)
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: davej on November 08, 2013, 12:28:25 pm
just about to order a copy well done!
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on November 11, 2013, 09:04:39 am
East coasters shout if you fancy a trip early spring! I'm psyched for a winter of training.

Great Guide well done Ian and richie.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: richieb on November 12, 2013, 09:16:48 pm
Thanks for the comments. I hope people like the guide and feel we have done justice to the area.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: andy popp on November 12, 2013, 09:31:03 pm
I'm having trouble resisting buying this guide simply so I can fantasize about maybe climbing there one day.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on November 13, 2013, 09:03:41 am
Get there andy. Should be on every dedicated UK boulderer's bucket list IMO.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: fatneck on November 13, 2013, 09:06:13 am
On my Christmas list... Thanks guys!  :clap2:
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: andy popp on November 13, 2013, 09:59:01 am
Get there andy. Should be on every dedicated UK boulderer's bucket list IMO.

Time for even day trips (not having it) has been an issue the last few years but I'm seriously thinking about making this number one target next year. When is the best, most reliable season? I might have a few days available late Feb but I'm guessing that's too early?
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: GazM on November 13, 2013, 10:12:51 am
Hi Andy.

 Feb is definitely not too early. 

Conditions are pretty similar to the grit, so best in cool breezy weather, and if you're up in the summer you're more likely to get got by the midge.  I live in Inverness so it's fairly local, but generally avoid it over the summer and start to get keen once the cool autumn starts.  First visit this season was a few weeks back and I expect to be going any time from now until getting into April/May (assuming it's dry!).

Over the winter/early spring we often get spells of longish high pressure when it's clod and crisp, so if you've got the flexibility I'd aim for one of them, but they're hard to predict!

Saying all that, you'll still have a great time over a dry spell in the summer!
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on November 13, 2013, 10:25:12 am
+1 on Gaz's comments. It's a suntrap and the boulders take little drainage, although the ground can get boggy (not a problem if there's a permafrost!) The boulders are low lying (20m above sea level?) so if there's snow on the tops there's rarely much on the boulders, plus the landscape is stunning in the snow. And it the weather is a bit below par there are the classic ridge traverses of Liathach and Beinn Allligin to do. The NW seems to get great dry spells early spring too, arguably the best time to go if you aren't too fussed about ticking the biggest numbers; pleasant temps, no midges and a bit more daylight. Summer can be midgy and warm, but I've had great summer sessions on the boulders on a bright sunny day with strong winds. Autumn can get good conditions too, but midges seem to get more stubborn and linger longer every year.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: sherlock on November 13, 2013, 07:31:13 pm
Andy, I've had some of my best ever sessions during January/February. It can be unremittingly bleak during these months but very beautiful. My favourite months but perhaps I'm just perverse.....
Perhaps a word of warning though.The free campsite can be a tad water-logged and it might feel lonely if you're the only tent there.The pub might be shut and daylight is very short. The best bet might be to stay at the Kinlochewe Hotel Bunkhouse,excellent for a post crush dram by the roaring fire.Contact details in the guide,(see what I did there Ian & Richie?)
And Gaz,hope you've got a doctor's note to excuse your absence from Torridon last Sunday.I'd saved you a place in the queue for Malc's but you never showed :o Perfect conditions,just A and myself cranking til sunset ;D
Magical.

 
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Adam Lincoln on November 13, 2013, 08:01:03 pm
Just waiting for my guide to arrive. What did Malcs go in at in the end? And for the sitter?
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: andy popp on November 13, 2013, 09:10:38 pm
You people really want me to go don't you.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on November 14, 2013, 08:46:40 am
You owe it to yourself.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: sherlock on November 14, 2013, 09:06:51 am
Adam,Malc's described at 7B,"taking full line from a crouching start goes at 7B+".
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on November 14, 2013, 09:17:14 am
Saw it 7a+ before the pebble went? I've got more chance of success on The Mission TBH. Connies permitting.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: slackline on November 14, 2013, 09:27:05 am
Nice amusing style of writing, particularly the History section  :lol:
Title: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Duma on November 14, 2013, 09:33:48 am
Think I need this guide. And I live a few hours south of Andy...
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: sherlock on November 14, 2013, 09:42:18 am
"I did it on a family holiday.I was sick with glandular fever and even walking about the boulders was making me feel faint ........I remember feeling rotten the whole time.I think I did it in one session then felt crap and went to lie down."
Malcolm Smith

That is a class quote  :bow:
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Ian T on November 14, 2013, 10:14:06 am
Thanks for all the comments, though the best one we've had was from Malc himself.

"Makes me want to get out from underneath the 45 board and get up there."
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: richieb on November 15, 2013, 08:22:23 pm
Saw it 7a+ before the pebble went? I've got more chance of success on The Mission TBH. Connies permitting.
Yep, it was 7A+ before the hold fell off in 2009.  We thought long and hard about the upgrade but the consensus from various conversations, comments, blogs and vids on the web pointed towards 7B. The last move is still the crux from the crouch start but we figured it probably adds enough extra climbing to bump up the grade again.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Jack.G on April 03, 2014, 09:03:08 am
Had a trip last week with new guide in hand, brilliant, too much to go at!

Any suggestions on a grade for the "wild dyno" missing out the technical shenanigans on the Conundrum boulder's Press problem?

Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on April 03, 2014, 09:16:21 am
There's a great eliminate dyno to the left of Celtic Knot too, i think it's described in the guide as the end of the traverse.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Stubbs on April 03, 2014, 03:12:36 pm
I still think Malc's is, err 'full value' at 7B, I've had 4 sessions spread over 2 trips in admittedly not ideal conditions and still got nowhere near the last move! This is a problem that should suit as well, given the angle. I guess if I wasn't so stumpy it might be easier!

Agree with what everyone else has said: amazing spot, which earns its quiet and unspoiled feel by being fucking miles from everywhere!

Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on April 03, 2014, 03:28:11 pm
Not my style at all so can't really comment, but got totally shut down and I'm a lanker. I reckon I'd have better luck on the Mission.  richieb has done it dozens of times, the showpony.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: andy_e on January 16, 2015, 04:53:43 pm
Finally got around to buying the guide. It's excellent, well done! Can't wait for another trip up there.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: sherlock on January 17, 2015, 12:21:42 pm
Wait til you see Volume 2.......... ;D
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: andy_e on January 17, 2015, 01:40:01 pm
When's it out? Will it cover Kishorn and Ullapool areas too?
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: sherlock on January 18, 2015, 10:05:04 am
When's it out?
Probably not in our lifetime andy!
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: SA Chris on January 18, 2015, 10:25:00 pm
When's it out? Will it cover Kishorn and Ullapool areas too?

Ullapool area is covered already.

http://stonecountry.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/ullapool-bouldering-guide.html (http://stonecountry.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/ullapool-bouldering-guide.html)

No Kishorn though as far as I know.
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: andy_e on January 19, 2015, 09:05:34 am
Well I never! Thanks Chris. More money to shell out!
Title: Re: Torridon Topo...
Post by: Alex-the-Alex on March 03, 2020, 07:07:11 pm
Like one of Simon Richardsons scottish winter updates, but more appealing:

Torridon bouldering III: Jumble Boogie

https://www.northwestoutdoors.co.uk/northwestoutdoorsullapool

Just in time for some sunshine this week too. Great work Gaz!

Theres an older update as well linked to in the blog:

https://www.northwestoutdoors.co.uk/northwestoutdoorsullapool/2014/11/torridon-bouldering-update.html

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