Bouldering near aviemore????? (Read 8670 times)

Mike C · April 04, 2007, 03:58:07 pm

Heading up that neck of the woods for a week, dont know the area that well so on the look out for some good problems.

Cheers

SA Chris · April 04, 2007, 04:14:05 pm

Hi Mike, you always turned your nose up at bouldering, why the change of heart?

http://wiki.scottishclimbs.com/wiki/Tom_Riach not been to it myself.

http://wiki.scottishclimbs.com/wiki/Brin_Rock_Boulders but i didn't think much of them.

There is also the big Loch Ruthven boulder, but it's a bit further south.

In Ellis Brigham there was a little home made bouldering pamphlet with bits and bobs in the area, but never looked that closely at it.

Mike C · April 20, 2007, 03:11:52 pm

Cheers for the reply, think you might be mixing me up with someone else. Used the local guide and spent time at Cranberry Rock in Coire na Ciste. Tons of projects up there but the landings and highballs are pretty shocking.

SA Chris · April 21, 2007, 11:23:37 am

If you don't come from Aberdeen area I might well be mixing you up with someone else.

Where exactly is Cranberry Rock? do you access it from Linn of Dee?

Mike C · April 21, 2007, 02:18:33 pm

Nearly mate, i live in Dundee. Map ref for cranberry rock is 001 069 from the Bouldering Guide to Strathspey and Surrounding Areas by Mike Gale. Not sure where Linn of Dee is?? Coire na Ciste is the old ski area in the Cairngorms. Its on the way up to the new ski center. Just park at the old ski run and then walk ten minutes into Coire na Ciste and you will see an outcrop on the left hand side near the top of the hill, hope this will help. Might try to post some pics of it.

SA Chris · April 23, 2007, 09:54:06 am

Different Mike, different Coire. Linn of Dee is near Braemar, Derry Lodge. A "boulder strewn" Corrie is mentioned in the Cairngorns guide, with a similar name, needs checking out.

SA Chris · April 24, 2007, 10:06:34 am

Mike, have you done anything in Glen Clova?

Mike C · April 24, 2007, 01:11:35 pm

Funny you should say that, im heading there for the first time in about a week, i hear good things about Clova. Whats the best guide for there???

SA Chris · April 24, 2007, 01:55:33 pm

Bouldering or Routes? Routes; North East Outcrops, although the best are also in Scottish Rock Climbs. Bouldering, check yer pm.

Mike C · April 25, 2007, 11:26:13 am

This trip will be purely bouldering, checked my pm inbox, can't see anything???

SA Chris · April 25, 2007, 12:16:06 pm

pm me with an email address and i will send you a cryptic topo.

Mike C · April 25, 2007, 04:11:47 pm

pm'd you with my address, if that doesnt work, i think my e-mail address is in my profile.

Thanks

richieb · April 25, 2007, 06:19:20 pm

Took inspiration from this thread and went to have a look at Cranberry Rocks on Sunday. Kinda followed your chalk Mike and did a couple of things, including that nice sidewall flake thing from the sitter. Agree about the highballs and the landings, although to be honest I didnt see many real 'lines'. Still a nice spot.
I also checked out the Link road boulder which is very good, a little piece of Squamish right there in the 'gorms. The two lip traverses are excellent.
Heres a pic.....

Mike C · April 26, 2007, 01:10:59 pm

Nice pic, those lines on the linkroad boulder were my favour too. Gulity as charged about the chalk marks

. My bad. Due to things outside my control i had to leave aveimore and head back to dundee, the plan was to go back up a clean the chalk off, sorry guys. Also went to extreme dream while i was up Scott Muir told me that the linkroad boulder was used as target practice round about ww2, thats why there is a big slit at the back of it. Really like the bouldering and training area at extreme dream. Think there is alot to do at Cranberry rocks but next time i think i will take more than one spotter.

richieb · April 26, 2007, 10:42:00 pm

Dont get me wrong Mike....i wasnt having a pop about the chalk. I was actually pleased to have something to follow. You didnt leave much anyway. If you do find yourself back up in the area drop me a pm and maybe we can meet up. Cheers

Mike C · April 27, 2007, 03:25:52 am

Yeah mate that would be cool. I didnt think you were having a pop, it was more that i was pissed at myself for not being able to get back up and clean up after climbing, i know how much some people hate that. To be honest it doesnt bother me, i like having lines to follow too. Just kind of wanted to keep it clean since all the rock up there had not been touched in a while. Cant wait to come back up for more problems, think there is plenty of propjects to do at cranberry rocks. You manage to get up there?? Mike Gale is putting togther a new guide for the area soon, and new is looking for new routes to add.

SA Chris · April 27, 2007, 10:59:02 am

Lets face it, it's not exactly a frequently visited spot, and probably as exposed to the elements as anywhere. Any chalk is unlikely to ahng around long.

Mike I haven't forgotten you, will try and scan topo at lunchtime.

Mike C · April 27, 2007, 06:17:24 pm

Cheers Chris, got the topo ok, thanks for the info. Will let you know how i get on. Are you from Aberdeen?? The new indoor wall looks pretty good up there the bouldering section looks interesting, is it open yet?

SA Chris · May 01, 2007, 09:09:40 am

http://www.transition-extreme.com/index.htm

Yup, it's open. Routes are good, bouldering a bit limited. If you were just bouldering, I would tick with AVW.

I live in Muchalls, but work in city centre.

Did you get to Clova? It's easily done after work on an evening from Dundee.

Mike C · May 03, 2007, 01:19:34 pm

Yeah AVW is good for boudering, go maybe 3 or 4 times a week, its a tuff place to climb but really good for training. Heading to Clova this weekend, but have a slight tendon injure in my foot, but should be with two or three other people climbing strong, the topo should be a great help. Will let you know how i get on after the weekend.

Greg C · May 03, 2007, 02:17:10 pm

Chris is there any chance you'd email me a copy of that Glen Clova topo?

SA Chris · May 03, 2007, 03:05:27 pm

I can, but it's not pretty! definitely not a lakesbloc creation.

pm me a suitable address and i will send you what I have.

Mike C · May 09, 2007, 12:52:51 pm

Finally went to Clova. Its such a good place. stayed near the road below Red Craigs. The rock is pretty ruff on the fingers (i see what you mean about brushing). Hope to go back again before the end of the month. The big cave near the start of the middle crag is good place to go and cool off before climbing again. Looked like someone had been working on the boulder at the door of the cave?

SA Chris · May 09, 2007, 01:20:37 pm

Aye, the rock is pretty quartzy and abrades tips. Better than frictionless polish though.

John Watson and A.N. Other did a problem in the mouth of the cave when they got rained on. looks like these Dumby climbers can't escape graffitied, chossy caves, no matter how far they go from the place.

SA Chris · May 14, 2007, 01:00:56 pm

Greg C, did the topo arrive??