Taking place on Saturday (December 1), the final round of the STS took place at Scotland's leading outdoor centre, Glenmore Lodge, near Aviemore. The round brought to a conclusion the four-part contest, which has been played out at the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven, Glasgow Climbing Centre and RGU Aberdeen.
Entries across the series totaled an impressive 160, with climbers competing in age categories in a bid to become the STS 2012 champions with competitors were required to compete in three rounds, with their points being totaled for the overall series.
© STS - AndyRutherfors and GnBri
The crowd stood five metres below, watching with bated breath as one climber in the Scottish Tooling Series final fought with all his strength and skill to clip into the final carabiner. It was Harry Holmes' final climb of the competition and try as he might – and for more than five minutes – the young climber just couldn't get the rope to clip in.
The Edinburgh teenager's repeated attempts had the audience at Glenmore Lodge, in Aviemore, oohing and ahhing and collectively willing him to clinch that final move to complete the climbing route. While Harry, of Edinburgh, never did make the carabiner he still pulled off one of the best climbs of the route on the day, and gave the crowds the most thrilling finishes.
In Harry's age group, the male seniors, Stevie Johnstone, also of Edinburgh, took first place scoring maximum points in his three rounds.
Harry came second, just one point behind, and one point behind him was Scott G, of Kingussie, Highlands.
© STS - AndyRutherfors and GnBri
The prize for first place was Petzl Lynx crampons, second prize was a three-night holiday with Perthshire-based Big Tree Campervans, while third prize was a set of climbing films from Hot Aches Productions.
After the prize giving, Stevie, 27, who was defending his titles from the previous four years, said: "I really enjoy taking part in this competition because it's so different from anything else around. The climbing challenges are very varied and the other competitors are excellent.I went into the series hoping to score top points and that's what I've done. I am delighted."
Fiona Murray, of Aviemore, won the series for the third time. She said: "I keep thinking every year that I should retire. I'm 46 now and sometimes I think I'm too old to win again! But I keep coming back and I enjoy it so much every year. It's great to have won again but really it's the social side and the practise for the winter mountains that I come for. You meet so many people at the STS and I expect to see many of them in them climbing winter routes this season."
STS organiser Neil silver said: "This event just goes from strength to strength and we were delighted to see so many climbers turn to this year. Our thanks go to our sponsors, Petzl, Big tree Campervans and filmmaker Paul Diffley of Hot Aches Productions. Also we couldn't put on this contest without the support of the route setters and the venues. We can't wait to be back next year."
© STS - AndyRutherfors and GnBri
Other top-placed series winners
Junior Female Series Points
- Sophie Fitchett 60
Junior Male
- Tim Millar 59
- James Mortimor 58
- Henry Cowan 55
Vets
- Andy Laing 58
- Gordon Lacey 57
- Tony Stott 53
Adult Female
- Fiona Murray 60
- Louise Humphries 56
- Amy Goodhill 56
Adult Male
- Stevie Johnstone 60
- Harry Holmes 59
- Scott G 58
The Scottish Tooling Series is Sponsored by Petzl and Big Tree Campervans and Hot Aches Productions.
For more details and full results visit www.scottishtoolingseries.co.uk
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