Colmcille Climbers

Descend, next to the ridge, to sea level and the western toe of the ridge.

1. 40m Scramble up the ridge to reach the large flakey belay on the 1st summit
2. 10m Move over the grassy top to belay on a small rock outcrop that provides a good observation point on the left, slightly lower than the grassy knoll on the crest of the ridge.
3. 40m The Dallas Pitch Go over the grassy knoll and descend a series of steps to belay in the col below. There is some loose rock at the top. This belay can be reached directly from the slopes below by a short scramble.
4. 40m The Blade. A cracking pitch. The way is obvious! Up the crest of the ridge, (A cheval in places) to where the ridge steepens. Up the rock to below the notch in the final gendarme and step out onto the southern face. Step up and stand on the top and start to smile for a photo before belaying.
5. 10m Descend easily and go up the slope to a good thread belay.

This is a combination of The Prockagh Arete and Lizard Line, which has evolved into one of the best routes in the country.  Abseil down Dawsons Slab to the big ledge. 1. 55m Climb up the first easy section of Dawson's Diedre (sparse protection) to where you meet a horizontal quartzite vein. and follow it right to the low point of Prockagh Ridge, Belay. 2. 35m Airily up the prockagh ridge to the high point. 3. 10m.climb down with care

Abseil down Stelfox Slab (See Malin Laundry) from the large individual pinacle (45m) to the large platform on its Eastern edge.An obvious traverse line goes up and right. Follow it to the thin quartz vein and a large flake. Continue upand right over flaky slabs heading for a small corner. When you reach the corner, go up it to the ridge and a possible belay (45ishm). Follow the ridge up to the top.Straightforward climbing with a sparsity of gear in places

S 4a Length: 50m D Stelfox, R Fenlan, V McAlinden Oct 2007 Abseil directly down Stelfox Slab, on its East side, to a small ledge well above the sea (usually huge swells) and climb back up the crack and groove, taking the right angled corner to the left at the top, as the lesser of two evils! Nevertheless excellent climbing in a spectacular location More Details (1 Comments)

Abseil down Stelfox Slab (See Malin Laundry) from the large individual pinacle (45m) to the large platform on its Eastern edge. There is a large curving corner on the Eastern side of the slab1.40m 4b Climb the corner until a few metres below the capping overhang. Traverse right to belay on "Dawsons Diedre" just below its final chimney2. 30m 4b Traverse left below the overhang and turn it on the left side. Then ascend the slabs above getting quite loose near the top

Start up 'Rebel Yell' and after about 8m, move left out onto the wall. A few tricky moves on sound rock and good wires lead up left onto the slab, just at the base of a prominent steep corner ( Ulysses).  Continue up, and up  the slab, mainly using the corner on the left, til better rock beckons on the arete near the top. 

Start as for 'Finnegan's Rake' to gain the slab/ramp, but take the prominent deep corner all the way to the arete, just below the top.  Sound rock and sensational situations, until the last bit!You can also ab down 'The Rake' and do a hanging belay at the bottom of the corner, in which case the grade will be no more than severe.

Abseil down to an orange ledge in the "Cauldron" from the lowest part of the "Cutting Edge" ridge (seas permitting).  Climb the corner/chimney on bombproof black rock, onto a large flake, and out left, thinly up the wall for a move or two to easier ground.  Scramble up the slab above to the top.

Abseil down to a slanting red ledge near sea level, just beyond \'Black Betty\'.  Take care with the abseil as there is some loose stuff at the top that you could knock down on the person already below, and the ledge can be slippery! Climb directly up to the corner on adequate gear, and continue up the corner ( crux) to the top

Descend to the bottom of the ridge by scrambling down its Southern flank. On its other side, just before the small pinnacle, is an easy angled slab that appears to lie against a steeper face. In fact these two are seperated by a bergshrund like gully. Start at the upper end of the 'shrund.Descend a few metres into the bergshrund until it is possible to use some quartz topped holds to traverse awkwardly left into the crack that contines to the top. (Suggestion: check which crack you are heading for by looking from the easy angled slab beforehand!)The crack is easier than the traverse and there is good protection. The rock is solid until the angle eases at the top.

Descend into the Sheugh as for 'Infinity and Beyond' (ab or downclimb at about diff level at the back). At the bottom of the step there is a left trending groove/crack line.  Climb it until you can exit right and gain some flakes, and welcome protection.  Strenuous steep climbing on great flakes leads to easier,  less protected, but still good quality rock above.  This was originally thought to be a first ascent, but is actually the second ascent of 'Infinity and Beyond'' but done from the bottom of the sheugh.

Descent into the sheugh, to its highest point below the rock step, and take the obvious left trending groove,  before gaining the quartz topped holds, (as for ' Infinity and Below').  Make a long step left, back into the groove, and continue more easily to the top. 

10 metres down the sheugh, and left of the Infinity routes, a spectacular crackline splits the highest part of the wall.Due to tide and swell, The first ascent was done from a hanging belay 3-4 metres above the bottom

Start under a shallow gully a few metres to the right of \"Fernenst the void\"  but are the top of the sheugh.  Climb into the gully and then more easily up it until it starts to bend left. Take the steeper blocks to the top.

About half way down 'Conn's Sheugh' on the left side, bridge up to reach a shallow corner, which is laybacked (or something) to reached a great hold and big ledge.  Either climb directly up the crackline behind, or ascend left on jugs (easier) to the top.

1. 5m Descend the left side of the ridge to below the col overlooking the slab. A cracking goes up the wall to a good spike and nut belay. 2. 35m Make as if to ascend the ridge but start to follow a crack on the dark left side. After a few meters follow the crack in a descending diatonal line until you reach a large blocky corner. Follow this up to the ridge and a thread and nut belay. Take care not to involve the wobbly block in your belay! 3. Ascend to the base of the pinnacle but pass it awkwardly on the left to finish.          

Descend the Southern side of the ridge until an overlap runs up to the ridge. There is a small 4' high pinnacle at the foot of the ridge. Start on the left side of the overlap and climb up for a couple of meters. Step over the overlap and continue up to the ridge. Then continue as for "Versalgia" or "Cutting edge". Protection is adequate but the rock is rather brittle.

Descend to the foot of the ridge where there is a small stack. Scramble around its southern flank to a ledge on its Western tip(non tidal but may be "exciting" in high seas).Belay hereTraverse left and turn onto the exposed slab. Climb straight up the arete to the top. Occasional side runners may be placed around the arete. If you choose to be brave and avoid these feel free to award yourself a gold star.

  Descend at the end of the Zawn of Stelfox Slab (the Cauldron), to a non tidal ledge, and a metre right of the Headcase, climb another  ,sound ,black, corner, with a good crack for protection.  Continue up the obvious line of weakness, being pushed gradually right on a profusion of  flat holds (gear not wonderful).  When the angle steepens near the top, the gear gets better, as you bridge up either side of a steep crack, to gain the arête. Belay.  Continue up the arête with care.

  Descend at the end of the Zawn of Stelfox Slab (the Cauldron), to a non tidal ledge.  At the LHS, climb up(step right to sloper) to easier ground, and continue up, with no gear for a spell, to the obvious corner high on the face (gear-Whew!).   Above the corner, gain the arête, and continue, with care, to the top. Approx Gr 38673 59356 

From the extreme left end of the platform descend to sea level and a small wave washed platform. Take the small overhanging crack and follow it to where the crack constricts (Belay)Follow it to where it and protection runs out. Just before this you can go straight up on steeper rock and ultimately grass (The Swiss Alternative VD)The original route carries on by pulling on grass and some dubious rock bits. Take a firm stance belay as far back as your rope allows.This is really a scramble with a seriousness grade

About midway along the platform is a cleft in the rock. Abseil down this and then climb out

 On the promontory bounding the north side of the Cauldron, abb down as for Chimney Sweep, to the platform.  At the west end of it, climb up on sound rock, and insert yourself into a deep slot.  Doing a passable imitation of an After Eight, or indeed a cheese slice, make upward progress.  An interesting exercise in elevation, and not for the morbidly obese (unless you plan to take up residence).

This takes the fine steep, left trending crack up the centre of the north facing wall, just right of Roxfox. 5a crux to start, no harder than 4b above. More Details (1 Comments)

 Across the zawn from Stelfox Slab is a promontory split by a narrow gully at Gr 38696 59378. Descend the gully, and Roxfox if the first flake/crack. Strenuous finger climbing eases higher up. Himself, relaxing on the rocks at Malin Head, on Sunday last 16/11/08.

Start opposite \"Roxfox\" ie on the N side of the gap. There is a slab that lies against the main wall with a crack between the two. Follow this crack to the top. Better than the name suggests!

Abseil down from the gap just beyond "Claymore Crack" to a large slanting quartz ledge- only in calm weather!! This route starts in the left corner, and climbs rightwards to the gap, before traversing the wall rightwards again, to gain the right hand arete, which is followed to the top. Dramatic situations!All these 3 routes are worthy of stars, but that should be for others to decide. More Details (2 Comments)

Use the descent route for Fitzgerald Wall/Malinheadcase etc ( down the spiky ridge to the East), and drop into "Thon Zawn" the narrow creek/inlet to its left (west).  At the back of the zawn are a couple of corner/diedres at about Mod/Diff, and lots of scrambling on its east side, but higher up on the right at the back is a slab "Thon Slab"  This route takes a nice crack up the right hand side, on good gear and sound rock, although the top third requires some thought re protection placement.  Good route, worthy of a star, maybe a bit hard for severe, but a softish touch for HS too! ( and apparently a perfect number)

Used mainly as a descent route for climbs on the Fitzgerald Wall and the Malin Laundry West. GR 38791  59426. Accessing the Prockagh Arête might require a short abseil to protect against an awkwardly angled descent on diabolically loose sharp stones, short grass, loose earth and the deep cut \'Corner Gully\' yawning below your heels to your right. Abseil stakes are in-situ. Easily scramble down the spiky Prockagh arete. Awesome situations on descent.

A very easy and pleasant route. This is the obvious Gully in the Centre of the Prockagh Wall on its Eastern side and facing towards the Cauldron. Challenging in descent and some nice bridging on ascent. A very obvious V-notch marks its high point on the Prockagh Arête.

This is a spikey triangular area that borders the right ridge of Prockagh Central Gully. It is pleasantly angled and high graded scrambling. Choose your route from a wide variety of optional holds. The rock is razor sharp, thin as if sliced with a knife and some are loose. Care is required. Poor protection but awesome exposed scrambling.

Immediate right of 'Scramblers' Delight' is an obvious flattish but steep wall with small nicely spaced footholds. Sparse protection but on good rock. Very exposed climbing at about Moderate grade.

About 2 metres to the right of 'Easy Peasy'. Much steeper and with good foot placements. Protection placements are poor.

About 2 metres to the right of 'Bowie'. Steep climbing with some good foot placements. Protection placements are poor but there is a good belay on the summit of the Prockagh Arete extending to the Jagged Edge above the wall.

About 1 metre to the right of 'Tomahawk'. Start just right of small overhang. It more or less goes straight up. Steep climbing on good footholds. Protection placements are poor. Belay is on the Prockagh Arete and extended to the jagged edge overlooking the wall. 

 About 4m to the right of Easy Peasy there is a very steep flattish wall with small holds. Go up on a slightly right trending route. Poor protection and very exposed.

About 2m to the right there is a series of small left ward trending ledges that provide an easier alternative start to Javelin.

The very obvious corner gully immediately to the right of the start of Javelin Alternative. The gully separates the Prockagh wall from the main promontory cliff. Easy scrambling with very pleasant and easy bridging in the final section 

  This short route starts just left of the chimney bounding the LHS of the wall, climb a right angled diedre, move right to avoid bulge, and finish up upper short diedre, to ledge.

  Start just to the right of the chimney bounding the left end of the wall, and either go up the chimney, (or the groove to its right, and step left) to gain the bottom of a prominent deep crack.  Climb the crack to a ledge, and continue up the arête above on good holds but no gear.

  Takes the big overlapping crack bounding the right hand edge of thesteepest part of the wall.

  Start 1m right of Sunning-Gael, and climb to gain arête, which is followed to the top.

  About 3m right of “Sunning-Gael” climb juggy rock to gain obvious left trending diedre, and continue past chockstone to top.

  Just right of “Garret’s Groove” follow the obvious easy angled corner to where it  stops at a short overhang, which is surmounted on it’s right on jugs, and continue upper corner to top. Delightful!

The next  diedre right, just left of the arête, another  great wee route for beginners!Just right of this is a fine area for scrambling, and then further right the "Headcase" routes, and Stelfox Slab.

Start as for "Fine Gale" but after a few feet (or metres if you are European!) cross onto the right of the arete. Follow it to the small corner at the top.

Start between "FitzGerald Wall" and "Malin Headcase" at the bottom of a long crack. This is just to the right of a broad gully scramble that leads to "Fitzgerald Wall"Follow it for 35m to a grassy belay  below a small overhang. The crack (and route) continues left of this overhang.