Dave MacLeod climbs two new routes at Glen Coe, Scotland

Britain is currently locked in a tight winter freeze, creating conditions rarely seen for winter climbing across the island and prompting Dave MacLeod up in Scotland to make the first ascent of two lines at Aonach Eagach at Glen Coe.

Teaming up with Donald King, on 8 January MacLeod led the left-hand series of drips and fangs which come out of Chancellor Gully, describing their Liquidation as a "brilliant new ice route" and grading it VI,6.

Not even 24 hours later later MacLeod was at the foot of the crag once more, this time with Sam Wood to climb the steeper and thinner series of dribbles, pencils and hanging fangs to the right. Frozen Assets weighs in at VII,7 and Dave commented his ascent as follows "The icicles looked scarily detached from the rock behind, and I although I was pretty confident I could climb between them, the big issue would be the entire thing becoming airborne with me attached. Just enough protection appeared at the last minute to keep me probing upwards with a gentle touch on the booming ice dribbles. It proved to be an absorbing hour or two and a memorable new route."

The 32 year old concluded "there are awesome ice conditions right now in Scotland. Best for pure ice since I've been a climber."