There are lots of comments on my soloing videos from folk who don't know any better, taking the rip for wearing a helmet. Please resist the temptation to roast folk who make these comments. A lot of climbers these days are just naive to the hazards of mountain routes. Remember folks, stonefall landing on your head will hurt!
You really get criticized for wearing a helmet? Strange world. I remember Alexander Huber in Hasse Brandler with a helmet and am often surprised how many climbers choose to not wear one even when rock fall is a possiblity. So unnecessary to loose control because of being hit by a small stone. I have climbed with beginners who flat out refused to wear a helmet so its sadly a trend. They then tell me that guys like Honnold..etc also dont wear helmets.
What an epic view Dave. And so lucky with the inversion. Looks a terrific climb, one for the list when I occassionally get up to Scotland. Good production work there too 👏
I love that people comment negatively about Dave soloing as if he is an amateur. He has free solo'd harder than Honnold-one of the few to solo 5.14a. Not to mention that the mind games of harder e grades with death fall potential are similar headspace-of which he is certainly one of, if not the most experienced e climber on the planet
@@climbermacleod Yeah, when I started everyone told you not to fall on the lead and we didn't, whatever the grade, I remember the first E7 too.... I've hit the ground a few times and walked away, luckily.
I understand this (and no personal hate to Dave, I love your stuff). But it always makes me uneasy the pedestal soloing sometimes has. It can be portrayed as glamourous due to the mental game (which is impressive on an individual level). I know for me personally, I don't want to solo on the basis, I don't want a random incident like breaking a hold or a slipping foot to lead to potentially serious injury. Which is not to say, no one should solo anything. But I think it needs a nuanced discussion about the risks each climber is taking when they step on the wall.
Gotta love how you released Make or Break a few years ago, talking about debilitating injuries (especially climber's/golfer's elbow) that would leave hard climbers in the ditch. Fast forward and you keep on sending incredible routes (free soloing nonetheless). Such an inspiration you are...
When the music cut, and it's just Dave breathing, my palms got sweaty. I've done my fair share of climbing outside, but even just watching free solos is something else.
I have watched many Dave McLeod climbs and this one is amazing, and I must admit it is the first time I was seriously worried about him, not sure why but it looked a serious climb with lots of exposure. Great filming and fantastic scenery.
I did the Cioch Nose as a party of three about 35 years ago. It's a great climb with lots of exposure for VD. Good to see it's still there :) :) No digital cameras in those days :(
Well Dave, that was something else to see! My only complaint is the video needed to last longer 😂😂 My other half and I were up on at Bealach Na Ba in April and it was covered in snow, but beautiful with clear skies in every direction! I'd eyed up climbing the nose and A'Chioch on Beinn Bhan but ended up doing neither haha! A lack of experience with winter climbing suggested better preparation was required. Hoping to head back up that way in late summer though 😊 Thanks for another mega video Dave, love your work!
Had a light scramble up Bla Bheinn one week ago today - what a week to have for a short visit back to Scotland to see the parents and catch a couple of walks on the misty Isle! I’m slowly falling in love with these lands once again, in no small part from some of the content on this channel :)
Amazing video, thanks Dave! I am always surprised how good that 360 degree camera footage looks. And combining that with the drone footage just makes it perfect!
Good and smart move doing it now; unfortunately due to injuries and age; a number of classic easy things I planned to do later; when I got old; are now unlikely to be done; sending the project a day or week later would have been wiser; and created more great memories; and maybe even sent the project sooner; as there is nothing like a good solo to focus the mind and get flow going.
Great video, thanks! I have a cheeky suggestion...the SE summit of Suilven has several false tops if you start from the ground? This climb reminded me of my favourite mountain’s sides. Most people do this after reaching the usual middle “saddle” and heading left, but you could clearly do that whilst eating lunch...
You're a legend and these solo films you make are amazing. You need to hit up Magnus to get some more attention to your channel, you deserve it and I bet he'd agree!
@@florianneumann9441 Well, you saw him walk to the bottom at the beginning of the video, here. But folks will sometimes bring a rope and gear to rappel (abseil) back down if there's not an easy/obvious walk off.
Nice video. I climbed this 30 years ago with 2 mates... we roped it, but it was pretty easy stuff for the most part. Exposure is fun! We had some sandwiches and a flask of tea on that little ledge with the overhang, legs dangling. Lovely spot for a picnic!
@@climbermacleod Shame! It's really interesting to see these perspectives having done the route, brings back memories. The first climb I ever did was Cioch West (blame Highlander) and a few years later also did Cioch Direct with the same friends (in the wet, as is traditional XD). Either of these routes would offer some stunning possibilities for filming. The views down into Coire Lagan are superb. I wish we'd had this kind of kit when I was climbing way back... so many adventures and near death experiences!
Another amazing video Dave! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful day out. I particularly liked the tunes on this one. I've noticed a bit more of a 'cinematic' touch with the audio on your more recent videos. Do you mind sharing which music platform(s) you use to find the tracks for your videos? Are they royalty-free or licensed?
I don't understand the mindset you need to free solo, absolutely insane stuff! Question: you know that feeling of relief you get when you finish doing something scary? Do you feel that at the end of a climb? I guess I'm also asking if you have any fear doing this kind of stuff, because I'm scared just watching people free solo
@@simonsimon9880 i understand all of that, what I don't understand is the mindset one needs to have to do stuff like this. Because there are a lot of elite climbers who would never even attempt to free solo even the easiest routes
@Kartashuvit I disagree. In almost 30 years of climbing, I don't think I've ever met an experienced climber (not even elite, just experienced) who wasn't comfortable soloing at least *some* terrain, even if it's just the easy start to a hard pitch. Yes, that's very different than soloing a full 200m route like this one, but it's still making the decision to travel on vertical terrain with zero margin for error. The only difference between a long run out to the first bolt and this, is duration. Frankly, there are a lot of scenarios in climbing where it will be safer to unrope and move faster, even if you're with a partner. If I've just come up 5 or 6 pitches of 5.11, and the weather looks like a storm is coming in, I'm going to solo the 5.3 slab to get to the summit, rather than waiting to get pinned down by an afternoon storm. Never mind climbers, I don't know a single home owner who sets up fall protection to clean their eaves, or put up Christmas lights. This route is easier for Dave MacLeod than a ladder is for most people. Obviously, he's known for soloing some ridiculously hard shit, but that's not what's going on here. Hell, he soloed .14a once. This is like 5.4. This is a casual day in the mountains.
There's always a certain level of risk. Rocks break, bugs can swarm, injuries can happen. By climbing well below your level you can mitigate a lot of that. Hold looks tenuous? Keep 3 points of contact and really check it out. That being said, crazy stuff can happen even on a well bolted sport route. Over time you acclimate to that, and if you're responsible - do what you can to minimize potential accidents.
@@kartashuvit4971The way I look at it is how often do you just randomly fall over, not often. These guys are at such a level falling off (except rock fall etc) there’s just no chance they fall it’s just mot feasible. Plus less gear means a lot more climbing can be done so much easier less faff
There are lots of comments on my soloing videos from folk who don't know any better, taking the rip for wearing a helmet. Please resist the temptation to roast folk who make these comments. A lot of climbers these days are just naive to the hazards of mountain routes. Remember folks, stonefall landing on your head will hurt!
You really get criticized for wearing a helmet? Strange world. I remember Alexander Huber in Hasse Brandler with a helmet and am often surprised how many climbers choose to not wear one even when rock fall is a possiblity. So unnecessary to loose control because of being hit by a small stone.
I have climbed with beginners who flat out refused to wear a helmet so its sadly a trend. They then tell me that guys like Honnold..etc also dont wear helmets.
Nicely done with the filming dave 👌💪
Solo filming almost as impressive as the solo climb. Stunning day out
Amazing, that is some dedication to filming whilst doing a free solo 😳 incredible footage!
It makes sense obviously, but it is funny seeing somebody free soloing wearing a helmet.
It makes a lot of sense to me - helmets are mostly about rockfall, not lead falls
@@somanayr Aye I know, like I said it makes sense it just looks funny
Free soloing in itself is the thing that shouldn't make sense 😂
It's so we're not seeing his bald patch the whole time
Why does it look funny?
Thank you Dave, that was amazing!
😀
A true inspiration Dave. Many thanks for sharing your experiences and insightful vision.
The effort you put into these great videos is amazing. Beautiful film Dave. 🤗👍
Wow, what a climb, what a day, what a view, what a video. Im in awe of you and the mountains. Thank you
One of the best routes I've ever done! Super cool to see it from a different angle with the drone footage
What an epic view Dave. And so lucky with the inversion. Looks a terrific climb, one for the list when I occassionally get up to Scotland. Good production work there too 👏
That's so beautiful, I'd love to climb something a like with an experienced badass like Dave. Congrats for this epic ascend - greetings from Germany.
Heart through mouth stuff Dave. Quality video. Nothing better than Scottish summer!
Dave, you're an inspiration my bro!
I love that people comment negatively about Dave soloing as if he is an amateur. He has free solo'd harder than Honnold-one of the few to solo 5.14a. Not to mention that the mind games of harder e grades with death fall potential are similar headspace-of which he is certainly one of, if not the most experienced e climber on the planet
Its odd that E11 hasn't killed anyone. Nor E9, E10... most deaths are E1 .. strange balance of things
@@danbrown4772 There are very few dangerous E11s. Most of the existing ones are pretty safe. That may change in the future.
Those comments must have gotten deleted, because there don't seem to be any
@@climbermacleod Yeah, when I started everyone told you not to fall on the lead and we didn't, whatever the grade, I remember the first E7 too.... I've hit the ground a few times and walked away, luckily.
I understand this (and no personal hate to Dave, I love your stuff).
But it always makes me uneasy the pedestal soloing sometimes has. It can be portrayed as glamourous due to the mental game (which is impressive on an individual level).
I know for me personally, I don't want to solo on the basis, I don't want a random incident like breaking a hold or a slipping foot to lead to potentially serious injury. Which is not to say, no one should solo anything. But I think it needs a nuanced discussion about the risks each climber is taking when they step on the wall.
Impressive and tempting. Thanks a lot!
Another great vid Dave! Inspiring!
Awesome video, you have the best content. Glad you had a great day out there!
Fantastic climb and conditions and brilliant filming. Cheers.
Absolutely stunning views.
Gotta love how you released Make or Break a few years ago, talking about debilitating injuries (especially climber's/golfer's elbow) that would leave hard climbers in the ditch. Fast forward and you keep on sending incredible routes (free soloing nonetheless). Such an inspiration you are...
Thanks for this. Brings back happy memories of when I did the HVS to the right many many years ago (not solo thankfully!)
beautiful! thank you for sharing.
Fantastic Dave. It's on my list. Should have done it this week or last few with good weather.
You are the the ‘Mountain GOAT’! Great video as always. What an inspiration.
Those shots with the drone were stellar.
You the man, Dave.
So much respect for the mental control neeed to do this. It is unbelievable.
When the music cut, and it's just Dave breathing, my palms got sweaty. I've done my fair share of climbing outside, but even just watching free solos is something else.
I have watched many Dave McLeod climbs and this one is amazing, and I must admit it is the first time I was seriously worried about him, not sure why but it looked a serious climb with lots of exposure. Great filming and fantastic scenery.
Great video in a beautiful place.
Free soloing so so visceral. Love the video!
Lovely looking climb and a great video
Might only be a VD but the exposure is incredible. This video brings it all back.
I did the Cioch Nose as a party of three about 35 years ago. It's a great climb with lots of exposure for VD. Good to see it's still there :) :) No digital cameras in those days :(
looks like an amazing climb!
incredible well it's safe to say Dave that was absolutely nails
Well done thanks for sharing
Awesome video!!! 🔥🙌🏻
Breathtaking!
What balls this man has
Very cool shots with the 360 camera!
Excellent climb excellent video
Brilliant 👏
Beautiful Dave, takes me back, it was a real challenge for me back in the late 80’s and the weather was a bit different 🌧️ 😂
Geez this videos keep getting better and better!!. With some nice banger songs too 😂
Great video - thank you 🙂
Well Dave, that was something else to see! My only complaint is the video needed to last longer 😂😂
My other half and I were up on at Bealach Na Ba in April and it was covered in snow, but beautiful with clear skies in every direction!
I'd eyed up climbing the nose and A'Chioch on Beinn Bhan but ended up doing neither haha! A lack of experience with winter climbing suggested better preparation was required. Hoping to head back up that way in late summer though 😊
Thanks for another mega video Dave, love your work!
Amazing!!! Thanks!
Part of Me almost thinks I could solo that too. It looks so casual, then I remember dave is one of the best soloists to ever climb. So cool!
A master of his craft in action.
Had a light scramble up Bla Bheinn one week ago today - what a week to have for a short visit back to Scotland to see the parents and catch a couple of walks on the misty Isle!
I’m slowly falling in love with these lands once again, in no small part from some of the content on this channel :)
Amazing video!
Great video. Sweaty palms watching it!
Lovely looking climb! Great footage. We have a mini version with its namesake here in NZ.
Amazing Dave! I’d love to see you and Alex honnold do a video free soloing something
Looks like a super fun trad line
That looks incredible. I had my first run up Agag's Groove a few weeks ago and this is absolutely being added to my tick list.
it's a great route but I seen to remember a long and fairly arduous walk off
@@tomvalentine4928 thanks for the advice! I'll keep that in mind and not start too late.
Amazing video, thanks Dave! I am always surprised how good that 360 degree camera footage looks. And combining that with the drone footage just makes it perfect!
Interesting you think it looks good. I am never sure whether it is or not.
@@climbermacleod Are you using the Insta360? What kind of mount do you use?
@@airanmilian Yes, one inch edition on the standard selfie stick.
@@climbermacleod Thanks for the reply Dave! Do you have the stick just sticking out of your bag?
@@airanmilian Yes. Ideally leaning out away from you a bit.
Beautiful
For a second I thought you would base jump at the end! Great climb on a beautiful day !
Amazing
Nice one, great vid!
Good and smart move doing it now; unfortunately due to injuries and age; a number of classic easy things I planned to do later; when I got old; are now unlikely to be done; sending the project a day or week later would have been wiser; and created more great memories; and maybe even sent the project sooner; as there is nothing like a good solo to focus the mind and get flow going.
Great video! Just watched it with no sound and subtitles and it says you’ve just climbed the ridge of ikea
Great video, thanks! I have a cheeky suggestion...the SE summit of Suilven has several false tops if you start from the ground? This climb reminded me of my favourite mountain’s sides. Most people do this after reaching the usual middle “saddle” and heading left, but you could clearly do that whilst eating lunch...
Well edited and structured. Anything that you wish you got in the video that didn't make it? Any dicey moments?
Great videography
Fair play to ya fella 👍
Amazing! Gives me sweaty palms though
The best way to see Scotland . Above all sees all
Fantastic
Really Scary mate my stomach was churning.
Must be brave and have nerves of steel !
Lovely views
Fyi, Glenshee is the highest road in Scotland. There is a private road up to a mast in the borders somewhere that is even higher I think.
Superb
Balls of steel
Wow, nice one.
You're a legend and these solo films you make are amazing. You need to hit up Magnus to get some more attention to your channel, you deserve it and I bet he'd agree!
Is there an uncut version? Or footage with more of the gopro view? Beautiful place and beautiful climbing!
Love it man, beautiful video - can I ask how do you guys get down?? Same way you came up?
Wow - amazing views! I think free solo is just crazy though… happy you made it through alright!
BTW - do you have to climb that down also - or are you usually using a rope or another way down after such a solo climb project?
@@florianneumann9441 Well, you saw him walk to the bottom at the beginning of the video, here. But folks will sometimes bring a rope and gear to rappel (abseil) back down if there's not an easy/obvious walk off.
Its a 15 min walk to the road from the top.
Nice video. I climbed this 30 years ago with 2 mates... we roped it, but it was pretty easy stuff for the most part. Exposure is fun! We had some sandwiches and a flask of tea on that little ledge with the overhang, legs dangling. Lovely spot for a picnic!
Tea was a notable absence from my ascent.
@@climbermacleod Shame!
It's really interesting to see these perspectives having done the route, brings back memories. The first climb I ever did was Cioch West (blame Highlander) and a few years later also did Cioch Direct with the same friends (in the wet, as is traditional XD). Either of these routes would offer some stunning possibilities for filming. The views down into Coire Lagan are superb. I wish we'd had this kind of kit when I was climbing way back... so many adventures and near death experiences!
I respect free soloers. I could never do that. I love to climb, but only when I feel like I can keep it reasonably safe for myself and my partners
Ok that gave me sweaty hands 😅 what a glorious day though
Dave!
Some people watch men kicking a ball, I watch a man reach for the heavens!!!.....LEGEND
Wow
Chalking up on a V.Diff on dry rock !!!!
Lovely video sir. My memories are of a much cooler and wetter version in boots and waterproofs but the rock was great. *****
Another amazing video Dave! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful day out. I particularly liked the tunes on this one. I've noticed a bit more of a 'cinematic' touch with the audio on your more recent videos. Do you mind sharing which music platform(s) you use to find the tracks for your videos? Are they royalty-free or licensed?
Thanks. I just use Epidemic Sound.
@@climbermacleod thanks Dave, I'll have to check that out.
Epic views! Do you ever tell your family you are heading off for a free solo or is this something you keep for when you come back? Always wondered
I let folk know where I’m going in the mountains, even for a chilled out easy day like this.
Always telll someone where you're going and what your objective is. To do otherwise is one of the most dangerous things you can do.
Or, even safer, find someone to do with you.
@S0f1 eh, sure, but sometimes solitude is part of the objective.
@@climbermacleod This is a chilled out day for you?
You lot are a different breed lol. I felt ill just watching this! Great video, awesome stuff!
man u a god
I got tingly hands watching this. And a tingly belly..
It's all about "Look at me"
really cool video.. was it entirely self filmed?
Yes and thanks!
Doesn't it worry you that a raven might peck you or a foothold might break?
hey at least he's wearing a helmet
que alguien me explique porqué lleva casco!!! 🤷♂️🤷♂️
Nice! Are you using an Insta360 X3?
One inch edition, yes.
@@climbermacleod The positioning of the shoot is spot on!
How do you set it up as such over your head? Selfie stick is tied up to your bag?
@@shawnlustig4556 Exactly yes.
I don't understand the mindset you need to free solo, absolutely insane stuff! Question: you know that feeling of relief you get when you finish doing something scary? Do you feel that at the end of a climb? I guess I'm also asking if you have any fear doing this kind of stuff, because I'm scared just watching people free solo
Except this is not a scary solo. This is an elite climber enjoying a day on easy terrain.
From a training perspective, this would count as a rest day.
@@simonsimon9880 i understand all of that, what I don't understand is the mindset one needs to have to do stuff like this. Because there are a lot of elite climbers who would never even attempt to free solo even the easiest routes
@Kartashuvit I disagree. In almost 30 years of climbing, I don't think I've ever met an experienced climber (not even elite, just experienced) who wasn't comfortable soloing at least *some* terrain, even if it's just the easy start to a hard pitch. Yes, that's very different than soloing a full 200m route like this one, but it's still making the decision to travel on vertical terrain with zero margin for error. The only difference between a long run out to the first bolt and this, is duration.
Frankly, there are a lot of scenarios in climbing where it will be safer to unrope and move faster, even if you're with a partner. If I've just come up 5 or 6 pitches of 5.11, and the weather looks like a storm is coming in, I'm going to solo the 5.3 slab to get to the summit, rather than waiting to get pinned down by an afternoon storm.
Never mind climbers, I don't know a single home owner who sets up fall protection to clean their eaves, or put up Christmas lights. This route is easier for Dave MacLeod than a ladder is for most people.
Obviously, he's known for soloing some ridiculously hard shit, but that's not what's going on here. Hell, he soloed .14a once. This is like 5.4. This is a casual day in the mountains.
There's always a certain level of risk. Rocks break, bugs can swarm, injuries can happen. By climbing well below your level you can mitigate a lot of that. Hold looks tenuous? Keep 3 points of contact and really check it out. That being said, crazy stuff can happen even on a well bolted sport route. Over time you acclimate to that, and if you're responsible - do what you can to minimize potential accidents.
@@kartashuvit4971The way I look at it is how often do you just randomly fall over, not often. These guys are at such a level falling off (except rock fall etc) there’s just no chance they fall it’s just mot feasible. Plus less gear means a lot more climbing can be done so much easier less faff