Chasing the Ephemeral Simon Richardson published by Mica Publishing
Admittedly I had to look this up! "Ephemeral" lasting for a very short time.
Expert, die hard or novice, if you love winter climbing and want to up your game Chasing the Ephemeral by Simon Richardson will make a difference. Packed with expertise gained through Simons climbing this is not simply a guide book! You are tapping into almost forty years of Simon’s life. The strategy and tactics chapter offer no guarantees however to fulfil your objectives take a leaf out of Simon’s book. At age eighteen Simon walked the 'Allt A Mhuilinn path' en route to Ben Nevis, as the North face appeared a love affair was born one that would last 38 years and beyond. It was that day in 1978 that the obsession started, the beginnings of a special relationship of which Chasing the Ephemeral is just the latest chapter.
I was fortunate to attend Simons lecture at Outside in Hathersage this December. My overriding thought as I drove home “when was the last time I came across someone who had such extensive knowledge of his subject” which in Simon’s case is Scottish Winter Climbing. The man’s achievements are simply mind blowing with over six hundred Scottish winter new routes, add to that twenty new Alpine routes and the prestigious achievement of climbing well over fifty winter lines of at least grade VII. If you thought Simon’s talent ends there then you are wrong! Simon writes beautifully, Once Scottish winter correspondent for High and subsequently Climb magazine his journalistic career spans a quarter century. Simon’s blog Scottishwinter.com must be the number one source of Scottish winter wisdom on the planet. Simon is author of the 2002 Ben Nevis guide of which he said “I am very proud of that guide” and so he should be. With his encyclopaedic knowledge and attention to detail it took seven years to write, Chasing the Ephemeral is a book which at worst is quite special but more probably unique.
From start to finish Simons talk as with the book was an explosion of outstanding images, a multitude of facts, and common sense tactics that will make a difference. With an objective achieved ratio of 9/10 the knowledge attained over his glittering career Chasing the Ephemeral is generously packed with words of wisdom. Chapters cover everything from choosing a route, weather, equipment and cycling. Yes cycling, an efficient way to approach a mountain on short winter days! It’s of no surprise that Simons career in the Oil industry cumulated with senior management with multinational BP. Oil exploration a high risk business in which tactics and strategy play a major part, the difference between finding the black stuff or not. I have no doubt that when faced with just one day a week to climb Simon adopted a similar mindset to that used at work.
With over 150 guide books in print originality is hard to achieve, Chasing the Ephemeral is less of a guide but more of a way of thinking! With the mix of tactics and routes originality is achieved one hundred percent. It strikes me that planning is a major factor in winter success as are the more commonly associated skills associated with a big day out. Yes fitness and climbing ability count but the way you approach your objective is as much about planning as is the measure of your ability. I know too well simply rocking up at the Charles Inglis Clark (C.I.C.) Memorial Hut on two occasions. Over two visits of four days I climbed only one route the magnificent Tower Ridge. Had I read this book no doubt the outcome would have been very different.
Routes are categorised into five sections, Early Bird, Cold Snaps, Lean Times, Top Nick and Late season. With grades from II to VII the emphases to climb at the right place at the right time. An obvious statement but the way you think will be influenced by the book increasing your enjoyment by several factors. From the Coblerin the South to Cul Beag in the north and a central band of objectives from Ben Cruachan in the West to Creag Clova to the East twenty two locations and a total of fifty routes described in fine detail. There is no doubt that Simon’s pick all have outstanding qualities on their day. Route descriptions are original and more comprehensive than in the standard guide. Tower Ridge for example includes background information, conditions, top tips, alternative routes and of course the route description and map. A topo and three inspirational photographs collectively give a comprehensive feel to the climb.
The book looks stunning with over ninety photographers work, the inspiration factor gets ten out of ten. My pick of the images p162 Kevin Avery on Darth Vader by Bob Wightman and p178 Looking down the upper reaches of South Post Direct by Ewan Lyons. The depth and breath of images confirm the best available have been used throughout. Turning to page 142 my heart sank! Joe Smith leading the final pitch of Green Gully , Coire na Ciste, Ben Nevis. A great image of an outstanding young man! Joe tragically died in a winter climbing accident along with Simon Davidson last winter on Ben Nevis. There is no doubt that Joe would be proud and flattered with his inclusion. I traversed the Cuillin Ridge at my first attempt with Joe his fitness and route finding ability of the finest order, but for Joe my failure on this the finest of mountain routes would have been a certainty.
Over a season winter devotees would not solely rely on Chasing the Ephemeral. Guides such as Ben Nevis and Scottish winter Climbs a necessity. In addition Cold Climbs by legend Ken Wilson would inspire, as would Ben Nevis, Britain’s Highest Mountain by Simon and Ken Crocket. Chasing the Ephemeral is not just a guide, it’s a way of thinking an inspiration. Simon’s attention to detail adds up to a book which at worst is quite special but most probably unique. It will save years of failure all thanks to Simon Richardson’s devotion to his obsession.
The most interesting guide book published in years.
My Rating
Value 10/10 (this book will save you a fortune)
The climbs 9.5/10 (what do I know?)
Photography 9.0/10
Other information 10/10
Topo’s 9.0/10
Design 9.5/10
Ease of use 9/10
Overall impression 9.5/10
(Temped to go 10/10 but no guide is perfect, this does come close!)
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Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
Simon’s attention to detail adds up to a book which at worst is quite special but most probably unique
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2017
Amazon Customer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2017
Admittedly I had to look this up! "Ephemeral" lasting for a very short time.
Expert, die hard or novice, if you love winter climbing and want to up your game Chasing the Ephemeral by Simon Richardson will make a difference. Packed with expertise gained through Simons climbing this is not simply a guide book! You are tapping into almost forty years of Simon’s life. The strategy and tactics chapter offer no guarantees however to fulfil your objectives take a leaf out of Simon’s book. At age eighteen Simon walked the 'Allt A Mhuilinn path' en route to Ben Nevis, as the North face appeared a love affair was born one that would last 38 years and beyond. It was that day in 1978 that the obsession started, the beginnings of a special relationship of which Chasing the Ephemeral is just the latest chapter.
I was fortunate to attend Simons lecture at Outside in Hathersage this December. My overriding thought as I drove home “when was the last time I came across someone who had such extensive knowledge of his subject” which in Simon’s case is Scottish Winter Climbing. The man’s achievements are simply mind blowing with over six hundred Scottish winter new routes, add to that twenty new Alpine routes and the prestigious achievement of climbing well over fifty winter lines of at least grade VII. If you thought Simon’s talent ends there then you are wrong! Simon writes beautifully, Once Scottish winter correspondent for High and subsequently Climb magazine his journalistic career spans a quarter century. Simon’s blog Scottishwinter.com must be the number one source of Scottish winter wisdom on the planet. Simon is author of the 2002 Ben Nevis guide of which he said “I am very proud of that guide” and so he should be. With his encyclopaedic knowledge and attention to detail it took seven years to write, Chasing the Ephemeral is a book which at worst is quite special but more probably unique.
From start to finish Simons talk as with the book was an explosion of outstanding images, a multitude of facts, and common sense tactics that will make a difference. With an objective achieved ratio of 9/10 the knowledge attained over his glittering career Chasing the Ephemeral is generously packed with words of wisdom. Chapters cover everything from choosing a route, weather, equipment and cycling. Yes cycling, an efficient way to approach a mountain on short winter days! It’s of no surprise that Simons career in the Oil industry cumulated with senior management with multinational BP. Oil exploration a high risk business in which tactics and strategy play a major part, the difference between finding the black stuff or not. I have no doubt that when faced with just one day a week to climb Simon adopted a similar mindset to that used at work.
With over 150 guide books in print originality is hard to achieve, Chasing the Ephemeral is less of a guide but more of a way of thinking! With the mix of tactics and routes originality is achieved one hundred percent. It strikes me that planning is a major factor in winter success as are the more commonly associated skills associated with a big day out. Yes fitness and climbing ability count but the way you approach your objective is as much about planning as is the measure of your ability. I know too well simply rocking up at the Charles Inglis Clark (C.I.C.) Memorial Hut on two occasions. Over two visits of four days I climbed only one route the magnificent Tower Ridge. Had I read this book no doubt the outcome would have been very different.
Routes are categorised into five sections, Early Bird, Cold Snaps, Lean Times, Top Nick and Late season. With grades from II to VII the emphases to climb at the right place at the right time. An obvious statement but the way you think will be influenced by the book increasing your enjoyment by several factors. From the Coblerin the South to Cul Beag in the north and a central band of objectives from Ben Cruachan in the West to Creag Clova to the East twenty two locations and a total of fifty routes described in fine detail. There is no doubt that Simon’s pick all have outstanding qualities on their day. Route descriptions are original and more comprehensive than in the standard guide. Tower Ridge for example includes background information, conditions, top tips, alternative routes and of course the route description and map. A topo and three inspirational photographs collectively give a comprehensive feel to the climb.
The book looks stunning with over ninety photographers work, the inspiration factor gets ten out of ten. My pick of the images p162 Kevin Avery on Darth Vader by Bob Wightman and p178 Looking down the upper reaches of South Post Direct by Ewan Lyons. The depth and breath of images confirm the best available have been used throughout. Turning to page 142 my heart sank! Joe Smith leading the final pitch of Green Gully , Coire na Ciste, Ben Nevis. A great image of an outstanding young man! Joe tragically died in a winter climbing accident along with Simon Davidson last winter on Ben Nevis. There is no doubt that Joe would be proud and flattered with his inclusion. I traversed the Cuillin Ridge at my first attempt with Joe his fitness and route finding ability of the finest order, but for Joe my failure on this the finest of mountain routes would have been a certainty.
Over a season winter devotees would not solely rely on Chasing the Ephemeral. Guides such as Ben Nevis and Scottish winter Climbs a necessity. In addition Cold Climbs by legend Ken Wilson would inspire, as would Ben Nevis, Britain’s Highest Mountain by Simon and Ken Crocket. Chasing the Ephemeral is not just a guide, it’s a way of thinking an inspiration. Simon’s attention to detail adds up to a book which at worst is quite special but most probably unique. It will save years of failure all thanks to Simon Richardson’s devotion to his obsession.
The most interesting guide book published in years.
My Rating
Value 10/10 (this book will save you a fortune)
The climbs 9.5/10 (what do I know?)
Photography 9.0/10
Other information 10/10
Topo’s 9.0/10
Design 9.5/10
Ease of use 9/10
Overall impression 9.5/10
(Temped to go 10/10 but no guide is perfect, this does come close!)
Images in this review
Amazon Customer
Excellent book - so much attention to detail
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2022Heavy
An Inspiring read and a journey into the crazy world of Scottish winter climbing, when and where to go the secrets are out.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2017