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| Name: |
Tim Rankin |
| Age: |
25 |
| Occupation: |
Duty manager for Aberdeen City Council |
| Base: |
Aberdeen |
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| Description: |
Tim, another of the young adventurous Aberdeen climbing posse, has been climbing for seven years. He is both a strong summer and winter climber - onsighting up to E6 on rock and grade VIII in winter. Tim draws motivation from visiting new places and inspiration from "beautiful looking lines on immaculate rock and impressive cliffs - for me standing below Central Gully Wall on the Dubh Loch, gazing at acres of granite, is as inspiring as it gets".
Tim has added many quality lines across Scotland, including the first ascent of Sun Scream (E5) on Beinn Eighe ("steep, committing climbing from belay to belay"); Spitting Fury (E6 6b) on Mingulay; Fire Cracker and Finn Grooves (both E3) on Carnmore and Latex (E3) on Sandray - all climbed onsight, ground up. He enjoys onsighting new lines as "it leaves a bit more to the imagination". Closer to home, he has been involved with much new development on the north east outcrops, including Rosehearty where his best additions include: Tango in Black (E3), Blood from a Stone and Unfinished Monkey Business (both E5 - all onsight).
In winter, Tim's tally of routes is equally impressive. On Lochnagar he made third ascents of Mantichore (VII,7) and Diedre of the Sorrows (VIII,8); second ascents of Footloose (VII,8). Quazimodo (VII,8) and Prince of Darkness (VI,7). On Juanjorge he made the second ascent of Diagonal Crack (VI,8) and climbed Vertigo Wall (VII,7) on Creag and Dubh Loch, while on Beinn Eighe, he made the third ascent of Blood, Sweat and Frozen Tears. First ascents include Blood Sports (VI,7) on Beinn a Bhuird and Cold War (VI,6) on Beinn Dearg.
Tim reckons, "it took me a while to realise that grade IV feels as desperate as VII early in the season, hence I mainly stick to VII's - it's easier to justify your failure!" In winter most of his motivation stems from curiosity - "I like to climb routes with a bit of history, or which are relatively unknown - however, I'd be lying if I said that quality didn't matter". He leaves us with this saying - to succeed without fear, is to triumph without glory!
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| Finest Moment: |
"Onsight soloing Sideline (E5 6b) at Dunkeld with a hangover and a sprained ankle from falling down a set of stairs, inebriated the night before". |
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