Leading winter climber Simon Richardson has written a moving tribute to the veteran Scottish activist Doug Lang, who was killed in March of this year while soloing in Coire Fee.

'Iain Small and I had just descended from the Ben the Saturday before last when we heard the terrible news that Doug Lang had been found dead in an avalanche in Coire Fee earlier that morning' he says.

'The short message on my phone was almost impossible to comprehend. Doug appeared to be infused with the energy of perpetual youth. He had climbed non-stop in the Scottish hills for over five decades and showed little sign of slowing down. He was the ultimate role model in showing how it is possible to continue mountaineering throughout one's life...'

Doug Lang made many great first ascents during his long climbing career, perhaps most famously the now uber-classic Ardverikie Wall on Binnein Shuas.

The accident was reported on UKClimbing and UKHillwalking on 21st March; see news item here.

Simon's tribute can be read in full on the superb Scottishwinter blog.