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“The Old Man Of Stoer” “Buchaille” “The Old Man Of HOY”

As a keen climber since the age of 4 Aden, along with other experienced adventurers has been inspired by Jesse Dufton, his attempt to take on the challenge of becoming the first blind person to lead climb the Old Man of Hoy, in Orkney, Scotland.

Aden now 11, who is a phenomenal climber for his age, using the skills learned to date plans on climbing a Sea Stack or two these beautiful iconic stacks will not be around forever, come join in this amazing journey to help raise funding for Guide Dogs.

See the climbing training involved with support from Highland Outdoor Adventures and potentially see history being made for the youngest person to lead climb a Sea Stack.

Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that has a significant impact on their daily lives. Of those, around 180,000 rarely leave their homes alone and lead lonely, isolated lives.

Guide Dogs works for a world where people with sight loss are never left out of life, for a world where being blind or partially sighted is not what defines you. A world with enough support to make the challenges of sight loss no barrier to fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Aden Thurlow & Jim Miller reach the top of Am Bauchaille

Almost certainly the youngest person ever to lead climb Am Buachaille! At 11yo, Aden has just led this classic sea stack up in the northwest 🥰 and all for charity as well! So much respect!

Epic, motivational, amazing, dedicated, brave, cool - the list of words goes on that you could use to explain this! And absolute respect to Alan (dad) for pushing through some truly hideous blisters from his boots on the walk-in.

It is a hard thing for us as instructors to know when to give people the freedom and empower them to have it. When it comes to doing something like the sea stacks on lead at such a young age you certainly have to know for absolute certain that it is the right decision as they are extreme climbs for even the bravest and best of climbers! Given this hasnt been done by anyone this age before he had someone jugging alongside him the entire way, checking his gear, ropework, anchors and supporting if required (not really much to be fair) with keeping him going in the right direction.

Am Buachaille sits at HVS 5a, having just recently been upgraded from VS and sits at 3 pitches long of 50m of climbing on sandstone that feels very brittle to explain it generously!

It is customary after a Sea Stack to have a wee dram of celebratory whisky, but at 11, that isn't really doable 🤣 so a 0.0% alcohol Guinness will have to suffice!

@ami_professionals

@climbscotland

@dmm_wales

@petzl_official

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