Go back to British Road Trip.
Go back to Arriving In Scotland.
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0320-300x225.jpg)
The approach.
We woke up early to blue bird skies and sunshine. The hike up (and then down) to The Old Man took us over an hour and was very scenic: wide open and green sheep pastures with a view down to the beautiful Rackwick Bay in the first half followed by an open, rolling moorland with the sea beyond in the second half. You get the first view of the top of the stack some 20 minutes before arriving at the cliff edge. Once there, a preview of the whole tower, including The Original Route (5-pitch, E1 5b), presents itself.
The hike down to the base took us another 20 minutes and was a good appetizer for the other objectives of the trip.
.
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0407-300x225.jpg)
The Old Man Of Hoy.
The climbing itself went reasonably efficiently though it does take a route or two for us to warm up to a new rock type, style, etc. The crux pitch 2 was quite physical but with on-demand protection. I was greeted at the third belay by a fulmar sitting on her egg. She was kind enough to let us pass unmolested. I was not so lucky on pitch 4 as I got puked on by at least two other fulmars. By the time Shirley was climbing through, they apparently had no luggies left to launch and she got through unsoiled. The 5th and final pitch was the highlight: an aesthetic crack (all the way through the stack) that’s easier than it looks from below.
Quick raps and soon enough we were back at the base at around 1:30. I was convinced that we’d be spending another night in the tent but Shirley was optimistic that we could make our 4:40 ferry back to the main island. The thought of a hot shower, a warm meal, and a comfy bed were sufficiently motivating for somebody to really bring the hammer down on the hike back. We were enjoying some microwaveable Indian curries back in our Stromness apartment later that evening. It was a fantastic climb – truly deserving of its classic status.
Photos
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0304-1024x768.jpg)
Starting the approach hike to The Old Man Of Hoy the following morning (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0306-1024x768.jpg)
The hostel marks the start of the trail (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0307-1024x768.jpg)
The sign has become almost as iconic as the climb itself (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0310-1024x768.jpg)
Early on the approach (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0312-1024x768.jpg)
Green and blue. Settlement of Rackwick Bay in the distance (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0315-1024x768.jpg)
Rackwick Bay on the left (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0320-1024x768.jpg)
We had never seen this many sheep prior to this two week Scotland & Wales trip (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0319-1024x768.jpg)
A bit more of Rackwick Bay and sheep (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0334-1024x768.jpg)
Danger (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0339-1024x768.jpg)
Our ride from two days earlier heading back to mainland Scotland (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0345-1024x768.jpg)
The first sighting (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0352-1024x768.jpg)
Getting closer (May 2024).
![Scotland](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0357-1024x768.jpg)
Nearing the edge of the headland and the start of the descent scramble down to the base (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0362-768x1024.jpg)
The Old Man Of Hoy in all of his glory (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0365-768x1024.jpg)
Starting the descent hike (grass scramble) down to the base of The Old Man (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0367-768x1024.jpg)
The entire Original Route is lit up and clearly visible in this photo (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0369-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley with St. John’s Head in the background (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7810-768x1024.jpg)
The Old Man Of Hoy from near the base (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7811-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on the rubble bridge that connects The Old Man to the mainland (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8696-768x1024.jpg)
Starting up the first pitch of the Original Route on The Old Man Of Hoy (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7809-1024x768.jpg)
Some views from the base (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8697-768x1024.jpg)
Higher on pitch 1 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7828-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley starting up pitch 1 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7816-1024x768.jpg)
Views from the first belay (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1010344-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on the first pitch belayed by yours truly. Courtesy of the time-lapse camera sitting on the rim (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7844-1024x768.jpg)
Arriving at the first belay (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1010350-768x1024.jpg)
Starting pitch 2 belayed by Shirley. Down climb followed by a traverse (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1010359-2-1024x768.jpg)
Leading the crux pitch 2 of the Original Route (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7857-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on pitch 2 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7860-768x1024.jpg)
Fixed tat is serves as the belay/rap anchor at the second belay (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1010370-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley following pitch 2 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7862-1024x768.jpg)
More of Shirley on pitch 2 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7874-1024x768.jpg)
Views from the second belay (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7879-1024x768.jpg)
Pitch 2 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7906-1024x768.jpg)
Enjoying the wide (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7914-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley nearing the second belay (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7922-1024x768.jpg)
Solid (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7923-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley at the second belay on the Original Route (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8701-768x1024.jpg)
Starting up pitch 3 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7927-1024x768.jpg)
Who’s a nice bird (May 2024)?
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7925-1024x768.jpg)
Pukey little shit (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7929-1024x768.jpg)
An irate companion at the third belay station (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7944-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley starting pitch 3 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7951-1024x768.jpg)
A different angle (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7957-768x1024.jpg)
Critical part of the fixed pitch 3 anchor; actually, the slightly less sketchy anchor is a bit higher (I stopped too early; May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7962-1024x768.jpg)
More of Shirley on pitch 3 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7968-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley topping out on pitch 3 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8704-768x1024.jpg)
Starting the fourth pitch (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7976-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley belaying me at the start of pitch 4 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1010399-768x1024.jpg)
Leading pitch 4 of the Original Route. Shirley is in the shadowed dihedral to my left (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hoy02-1024x625.jpg)
Views from the fourth belay on The Old Man Of Hoy (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_7992-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on pitch 4 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8011-768x1024.jpg)
And topping out on pitch 4 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8708-768x1024.jpg)
Starting up the aesthetic 5th and final pitch of the Original Route (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8018-2-1024x768.jpg)
Looking back at Shirley from the lead of pitch 5 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8710-768x1024.jpg)
Higher on pitch 5 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8025-1024x768.jpg)
Summit anchor (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8035-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley starting up pitch 5 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8039-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley enjoying the climbing (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8049-1024x768.jpg)
Views from the summit (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8052-1024x768.jpg)
Higher on pitch 5 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8057-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley topping out on the summit (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8711-1024x768.jpg)
A wanker on the summit (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8063-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on the summit of The Old Man (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8075-1024x768.jpg)
More summit views towards St. John’s Head (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8073-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on the summit with the Moor Fea hill in the background, on the right (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1010432-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley & I on the summit of The Old Man Of Hoy (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8074-1024x768.jpg)
And one more of Shirley on the summit (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1010438-2-768x1024.jpg)
A slightly closer look (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8086-768x1024.jpg)
Arriving back down at the third belay of the route (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8081-768x1024.jpg)
Well, at least there are a lot of pieces. Correct top of pitch 4 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8095-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley rapping down to the top of pitch 2 (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8103-768x1024.jpg)
Shirley on the long, largely free air rappel from the top of pitch 2 all the way to the ground (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_8106-1024x768.jpg)
Back at the base (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0371-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley scrambling back across the rubble bridge. Clock is ticking: we want to make the ferry (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0374-768x1024.jpg)
The Old Man Of Hoy (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0390-1024x768.jpg)
Looking back at The Old Man from the hike up back to the rim (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0393-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley on hustling on the way back up. We were trying to get back in time to catch the ferry back to the Orkney mainland (and our little apartment; May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0398-1024x768.jpg)
Beautiful Scotland (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0400-768x1024.jpg)
The Old Man Of Hoy (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0407-1024x768.jpg)
The Old Man Of Hoy from the rim (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0415-1024x768.jpg)
Shirley jogging back (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0423-1024x768.jpg)
On the hike back (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0426-1024x768.jpg)
Nearing Rackwick Bay (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0428-1024x768.jpg)
The stunning Rackwick Bay (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0430-1024x768.jpg)
Almost back at the trailhead (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0434-1024x768.jpg)
Back at the trailhead. I left the stuff with Shirley and ran down to pack our camp and to grab the car. We did make the ferry (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0437-1024x768.jpg)
On the way back to the ferry terminal (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0440-1024x768.jpg)
Isle Of Hoy randomness (May 2024).
![The Old Man Of Hoy](https://chossclimbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0443-1024x768.jpg)
Gear sort back at our apartment near Stromness (May 2024).
Go to Orkney Islands.
Go back to British Road Trip.