|
|
| Name: |
Andy Nisbet |
| Age: |
47 |
| Occupation: |
Mountaineering instructor/guide |
| Base: |
Boat of Garten, near Aviemore |
|
| Description: |
It could not be disputed that Andy has put more into the development of Scottish climbing than any other single climber.
He has first ascents of hundreds of new routes - approximately 200 summer and 500 winter - to his credit many in remote parts of Scotland. Within the climbing scene his fortitude and motivation are already legendary.
Andy started climbing in 1973. Between `77 and `86 he was a leading activist involved in many of the hardest routes and pushing forward Scottish winter standards.
Leaving the dole queue in 1987 to work as a winter instructor led to a time of consolidation but also brought more time exploring the north west adding some challenging new lines such as Vishnu (VII,6) on Coire Mhic Fhearchair and in the east War and Peace (VII,8) on Coire an Lochain.
Moving to work in the north west in 1993 brought further exploration of more remote areas, like the cliffs of Glen Shiel, often climbing new routes in the lower grades with mountaineering clients. Cliffs which became his favourites include Fuar Tholl, Sgurr na Feartaig and Coire Mhic Fhearchair, where he has added a multitude of new lines in both summer and winter.
Winter however has always been Nisbet's forte and more recently he has teamed up with the likes of Davison, Moran, Dale and McGimpsey to put up first ascents of many classic and testing lines such as Sting VII,7 (Coire Mhic Fhearchair); the spectacular Snoopy VII,7 (Fuar Tholl) and Wailing Wall VII,7 on Beinn Alligin.
Despite the onset of age and a serious car accident injury he still manages to "nearly" stay in touch with the cutting edge. His involvement of what is perhaps Britain's hardest winter route Mort (IX,9) is proof to that. |
| Finest Moment: |
"Getting to the top of Vertigo Wall at midnight on the second day just as our torches were fading (nearly my finest moment by default). You might think The Needle; it was certainly the most pleasurable, but was it too much in control?" |
|
|
|
