Derek Stuart

Background

I've always loved wild places and enjoyed hiking and cycletouring in my native Scotland for many years. In 1989, I enrolled on a winter mountain skills course in Glen Coe where I learned to use an ice axe and crampons and I was hooked. I have spent over 20 years exploring Scotland's mountains in all seasons. I have climbed 275 of the country's 3000 ft mountains, known as "Munros" after the Victorian mountaineer who first catalogued them, and I hope to ascend the remaining 7 peaks within the next 12 months. The Scottish mountains are not high in altitude but their rugged profiles and wild weather make them a great place to learn mountaineering.

Since joining the ECP in 2009, I have taken part in Mountaineering School as a student and an instructor. Although I enjoy rock and ice climbing, my real motivation is the experience of being among the mountains so I am happiest when I am high up on a wildly exposed ridge of moderately difficult rock.

Explorers Club of Pittsburgh

• Rock School Instructor 2009-2010
• Mountaineering School Instructor 2010
• Secretary 2010-present

Significant Ascents - Mountaineering

• Traverse of Rum Cuillin 1992
• Skye Cuillin numerous ascents, 1990 - 2007
• Copeland Trail, New Zealand 1997
• Blaven and Clach Glas Traverse, Skye, 1996
• Via Ferrata "Bocchette Alta", Dolomites 2005
• Triglav and Skirlatica, Slovenia 2006
• Mount Washington, NH in winter 2010, 2011
• Ascent of Nount Rainier, WA abandoned due to avalanche risk, 2010

Significant Ascents - Rock and Ice Climbing

• First ascent of "Blood Orange (V Diff) Erraid 1995
• Numerous climbs in Peak District and Lake District, England
• Pinnacle Gully, Mount Washington 2010

Cyclotouring (all unsupported)

• Inverness - Sheffield, UK solo 1991
• Andalusia, Spain 1994
• Catalunya, Spain 1996
• South Island, New Zealand, 1997
• Loire Valley, France, 2003
• Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Trail, USA, 2008