The Hour

Lots of us make New Year’s resolutions, and TV and radio presenter Julyan Sinclair had decided that 2010 is going to be the year of new beginnings. So to kick off the year in style, he decided to tackle his crippling fear of heights and make a 140 metre climb up Steall Falls, an icy waterfall in Glen Nevis.

“For me this year is about doing things not about not doing things,” he said. “I’m scared of heights but I’ve always fancied trying my hand at ice climbing. So I’m at the Nevis Range – and I’m doing it!”

Julyan met up with his guide for the day, Mike Pescod from Abacus Mountaineering Instruction and Climbing, to get kitted out with crampons and a harness, as well as get a quick lesson on how to navigate his way up the steep stretch.

The pair started out on the ‘baby’ climb stage, to ease Julyan in, before taking a 45 minute hike to Steall Falls, where the real test began.

And before long, it became clear that this latest challenge was really going to push him to the limit, as he battled freezing conditions, a fear of heights and tiredness from the physical exertion.

Even guide Mike admitted that the conditions for the climb were extreme: “The last time I climbed it was in ’95, when it was really cold, the same kind of temperature as it is just now, so it’s quite rare that it (the waterfall) forms quite like this.”

Huge blocks of ice had formed, in front of free-flowing water, creating a beautiful, but terrifying scene for any climber. And for a minute, it looked like Julyan was going to bottle out of climbing the huge stretch, admitting that he wasn't exactly relishing the idea of tackling the steep hill.

But never one to back out of a challenge, Julyan put his fears aside and with the help of Mike managed to navigate his way up an impressive 140 metres of ice and water.

If you liked the look of Julyan’s challenge on Steall Falls in Glen Nevis, or fancy trying some other snow and ice-related activities, make sure to check out Mike Pescod’s website.