The previous record was held by Andy Hyslop, (owner of Rock and Run, and a co-owner of UKClimbing.com) with a time of 3.32.15. Andy, currently competing in the British Orienteering Championship in South Wales near Blaenafon this weekend, sent his congratulations to Es.

Es (short for Esmond) spent five days familiarising himself with the ridge, then on 27th April clocked a time of 3.59. On Friday he set off on his second attempt at 6am, after a bivvy. Conditions at sea level were murky but at elevation there was a perfect cloud inversion. His split times initially equalled or slighly bettered Hyslop's and at Sgurr na Banachdich and Sgurr a'Mhadaidh he was 7 minutes ahead but had lost the advantage on reaching Bidein. He then sprinted to Sgurr nan Gillean, were the clock stops, shaving 15 minutes off the previous record.

Es reports, "The day turned out to be one of the most spectacular I've ever seen. The valley was slowly enveloped in a sea of mist, leaving the ridge the only thing floating above in the sunshine. It was like running in heaven." (see Ben Wear's photo of Es on the Inn Pinn, here)

Es, originally from Wirksworth, near Matlock (Derbyshire) describes himself as one third runner, one third climber and one third alpinist, he is the custodian of a demonstration Eco house in Fife. He's climbed several new grade VII and VIII winter routes in Scotland and has climbed the North Face of the Eiger.

These are Es's split times: