First repeat of Wailing Wall (IX, 9) by Robertson and Russell

• Saturday 22nd January 2022

Guy Robertson and Adam Russell recently made the second ascent of Wailing Wall (IX, 9) on An Teallach.

Originally climbed by the late Martin Moran – a British and IFMGA Mountain Guide as well as a renowned and seasoned Scottish winter activist - and Murdoch Jamieson in December 2010, Wailing Wall was not only one of the hardest winter routes in Scotland at the time it was also the first route of that grade to be climbed on-sight; a remarkable achievement by Moran especially considering it was on a first ascent!

Comprising Torridonian Red Sandstone, the climbing on An Teallach is at its best under winter conditions. Giving exposed and intimidating climbing, Wailing Wall is located on Hayfork Gully Wall.  Moran was so impressed by the climbing on Wailing Wall that he believed An Teallach would prove to give some of the finest mixed climbing in Scotland when more developed. Although An Teallach has numerous ‘easier’ routes, Hayfork Wall has a collection of harder routes including The Flying Fox (VIII, 8), Local Hero (VIII, 9) and The Forge (X, 10) as well as Wailing Wall.

Climber understands that Robertson led the first pitch and Russell the second and that protection improved with height. Previously, Guy Robertson had climbed a number of winter routes on An Teallach including accompanying Greg Boswell on the first ascent The Forge, one of the most recent additions and hardest routes in Scotland. Click here to read about Boswell and Robertson’s ascent of The Forge back in December 2018.