Die by the Drop | E10 Trad climb at Glen Shian

United Kingdom / Scotland / Lochailort

Quick Info

Grade E10
Type Trad climb
Crag Glen Shian
Country United Kingdom šŸ‡¬šŸ‡§
Rock type Sandstone
History
First ascent Dave MacLeod (31st Oct 2010)
Recorded repeats 1

Quick Info

Grade E10
Type Trad climb
Crag Glen Shian
Country United Kingdom šŸ‡¬šŸ‡§
Rock type Sandstone
History
First ascent Dave MacLeod (31st Oct 2010)
Recorded repeats 1
Contributors
13 contributions since 8th May 2026.
10 contributions since 22nd September 2021.

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Ascents

2 successful ascents and 1 unsuccessful attempt recorded.

Climber Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
First ascent.

I guess I was in the right frame of mind, so I led it anyway. Of course the inevitable happened and everything went wrong on the crux. I caught the thumb press but at the same time my toes seemed to buckle on a tiny smear and my body arched backwards. In that breath, I fully expected to fall. But at least I also fully accepted I was committed. So survival instinct could fully kick in and I pressed down into the crimp I’d locked to my knee level with strength you only get above an unprotected drop. That was enough to escape the impending splat and I pressed on, wobbling like jelly, all the way to the top. [1]

References

[1] https://davemacleod.blogspot.com/2010/11/die-by-drop-e10-7a.html

[2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/videos/categories/trad_climbing/dave_macleod_-die_by_the_drop-_e10-409

[3] https://www.instagram.com/reel/DesKfTTPgBc/

There's two hard routes on that wall at Glen Shian - if you do the E7 Apophenia you touch the holds on the route beside it, if you do Die by the Drop and get it wrong you get your hands on Apophenia... I thought I can do them both if me skin's good. There's a flake at the bottom you can get a sling over and I was kind of balanced there on Die by the Drop getting a nut key behind on the lead and prized it open. I thought this is just ridiculous, so I put a Rock 3 up on the left which I can do one move to and I thought I know what will happen here: "He's done it with side runners." I thought well it's such a contrived mix up of a route so I thought I'll not bother talking about it because I didn't like the reports when I did Hold Fast (E9).

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/dave_birkett_the_weekend_warrior-8532

After inspecting the route on abseil, but not trying the moves, Cookson's lead attempt ended in broken ankles.

References

[1] https://francocookson.wordpress.com/2018/04/04/snap-your-ankles-by-the-drop-e10-7a/