‘If there’s one book I’d like to read, it’s Nick Bullock’s.'

Ed Douglas

 

Vertebrate Publishing is delighted to announce the signing of leading British climber and alpinist Nick Bullock for his debut book, provisionally titled ‘Echoes.’

 

Nick is one of the UK’s most prolific traditional climbers, with a particular taste for the adventurous and bold. He has onsighted numerous E7 routes, and stand-out ascents include The Clown and Enchanted Broccoli Garden at Gogarth, together with many other climbs on the mountain and coastal crags of North Wales.

 

On Friday 2 September he made the second ascent of Stevie Haston’s route Melody (HXS/E9) on the Stigmata Buttress of Craig Dorys, on the Lleyn Peninsula of North Wales: a buttress described by UKClimbing.com’s Jack Geldard as ‘a steep and loose pile of tottering shale-death.’

 

Yet it is in the Alps and beyond where Nick has really made his mark, as one of a number of outstanding alpinists ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of what is possible in the high mountains. In the Chamonix valley he made the first free ascent of Omega (ED 3 VIII/8) on the Petites Jorasses with Stu McAleese, and the first ascent of Border Line (ED 3 VII/8) on the Sans Nom. He has climbed many hard Alpine classics, establishing first ascents in the process.

 

Over 20 ambitious expeditions to Peru, Nepal, Pakistan, India and beyond have yielded more first ascents, including Fear and Loathing on Jirishanca, Huayhuash range 6,100m (ED 3 V11/6+ A2), and the much-coveted 1,800m North Face of Chang Himal (ED+ M6, 6,802m).

 

An equally bold and accomplished writer, Nick has written articles for Alpinist, UKClimbing.com and Climb. Commenting on Echoes, which will be his first book, Nick said: ‘I'm really pleased to sort out a book deal, especially with Vertebrate. The only thing that worries me is I may have to cut back the climbing for a while and begin to write something...!’

 

John Coefield, Vertebrate’s Publishing Manager added: ‘signing Nick reaffirms our commitment to continuing the tradition of outstanding British climbing and mountaineering literature. Quite apart from his incredible exploits on the rock and in the mountains, Nick is the latest in a line of climbers equally skilled as a writer, able to vividly describe his drive, passion and achievements.’

 

Echoes will be published in 2012.