Al McCaig soloing a rather busy Jacobs Ladder in the Cairngorms. A good twenty minute excursion passing several nettled leaders/guides with a casual "Bonjour" here, and a "Gruss Gott" there. One guide pointed out to me the dangers of soloing 'occupied' routes as I let go of one axe to capture the exposure on film. "Dinnae worry about me", just keep an eye on Al there - its his first big winter route"!

Location: Cairngorms (beware)

Photographer: Mark Hockey