This imposing gully overlooks the spectacular Loch A’an basin and provides great winter climbing when in condition. In bad winter weather the spindrift cascades down the face, engulfing the unwary.

This piece was commissioned by the Coker family for the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team.

‘This painting is the view climbers get as they enter the jaws of Hells Lum, a well known route in the Loch Avon basin in the heart of the Cairngorms.  I climbed this with my Father, Iain.  After a lifetime of hillwalking in Scotland, including nearly two rounds of the Munros, Dad started getting into some more vertical exploits with me later in life, climbing his first winter route on his 60th birthday.  This day out was probably the pinnacle of our joint efforts, made memorable by some steep ground, an airy belay and meeting the renowned mountaineer Al Hinkes on the route. Joining the RAF Mountain Rescue was the start of my Father’s career in the hills and the stories from it were a large part of my motivation to join CMRT.  The painting is dedicated to the simple pleasures and shared experiences that time in the mountains brings to us’ 

Simon Coker

Commission for Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team 2019.