Ice Season Warm-Up: Leclerc Climbs in Rugged Conditions

In the video below, Marc-Andre Leclerc leads in full conditions on the Sioux Wall VIII on Ben Nevis, Scotland. The rule of winter climbing in Scotland is you can’t use ice tools on the rock unless the rock is white and cold.

“Conditions are rugged,” said McSorely before giving a stoked but nervous laugh.

While rappelling the route, McSorley triggered a slab avalanche that knocked him off his feet while.

Full conditions on our last route in Scotland. Following the last pitch of Happy Tyroleans in the Northern Cairngorms. The winter climbing in Scotland is excellent, looking forward to the next time! Jon Walsh photo. #arcteryx #mtwaddingtons #raenergy

A post shared by Marc-Andre Leclerc (@mdre92) on Feb 7, 2016 at 3:11am PST

McSorley’s prussik knot prevented him from being dragged down by the slide.

Leclerc only visited Sctoland once, but it was all he needed to climb some of the country’s classic routes.

Leclerc and partner Ryan Johnson passed away while climbing in Alaska this spring, the exact cause of their disappearance has not been determined.

Leclerc’s Scottish Climbs: Scabbard Chimney V, Tilt VI, Chimney Route VI, Spectre V, Tower Ridge IV, Thompson’s Route IV, downclimbed from the last few metres of Winter Chimney V, up the ice smear right of Winter Chimney, Gargoyle Wall, Green Gully, The Banshee, Point Five Gully V, Hadrian’s Wall Direct V, Smith’s Route V, Minus Two Buttress V into Northeast Buttress, Italian Right-Hand IV into Tower Ridge. And Sioux Wall VIII with Paul McSorley and Happy Tyroleans IX with Jon Walsh.

Leclerc in Scotland