Glasgow climber who survived avalanche which killed friend honoured

Tim Miller, 27, who learned his skills at Ibrox Climbing Centre, has been awarded the Piolet d'Or, or Golden Ice Axe,  for his pioneering ascent of Nepal's notorious Jugal Spire.

Tim and Paul at the summit of Jugal Spire (Image: Tim Miller)

It comes five years after a near-death experience in 2018, when, while camping at an altitude of 5800m (19,300 feet) on the unforgiving terrains of Pakistan’s Ultar Sar mountain, he was buried in an avalanche in which friend and fellow climber Christian Huber died.

Tim chewed through the tent’s fabric before clawing his way through six feet of snow to the surface.

While he helped save the life of another climbing partner, Bruce Normand, then 51, Tim tragically found Christian already dead. The survivors spent two days in their broken tent, waiting for the weather to ease, before being airlifted to safety by a Pakistani military helicopter.

READ NEXT: Glasgow man's tribute to late wife after '90 years together'

Tim said: “It was a turning point, a moment where the mountains taught me lessons beyond climbing. When I came down, it all hit me and I saw how much the whole thing had terrified my mum, dad, and girlfriend. But it made me realise how much I need to climb. It made me appreciate being alive, and climbing makes me feel alive.”

Tim first met Paul Ramsden, his partner on the award-winning Jugal Spire ascent, while hitchhiking home to Glasgow following a climb at Ben Nevis.

Their route to the top of Jugal Spire was perilous, as they ascended along a singular path of ice and snow across the rock face, unsure if the route would continue unbroken to the summit.

This climb exemplified the alpine style, with the duo forgoing supplemental oxygen, fixed ropes and Sherpa support – a feat celebrated in the mountaineering world for its ethical approach and pure connection to the mountains.

Tim, who suffered frostbite during the climb to the 6563m (21,532 ft)  summit, said: “I’m incredibly proud to receive a Piolet d’Or, but I never got into climbing for awards: the award, for me, is being able to explore the unexplored, and the adventure itself.”

Glasgow University graduate Tim grew up in Strathblane, where he fell in love with the outdoors while hillwalking with his parents.

But it was indoors at the Glasgow Climbing Centre in Ibrox, where he would later have his first job, that he developed his passion for climbing. From there, he began to explore local crags around Glasgow, including Dumbarton Rock and Auchinstarry Quarry.

He explained: “I fell in love with climbing here – it was without a doubt the best training ground. But when I conquered my first unclimbed peak, Nutcracker’s Peak in Kyrgyzstan, I realised I wanted to use climbing to travel and explore the world.”

During his geology degree at Glasgow University, Tim, who now works as a mountain guide in the Highlands, met his girlfriend and fellow adventurer, Beth, who is a guide on board ships to Antarctica.

Tim and Beth (Image: Tim Miller)

“I feel a responsibility to share what I’ve learned,” said Tim. “It’s not just about the climbs but about fostering a love for the outdoors, teaching respect for the mountains, and ensuring safety in every ascent.”

Tim is planning more climbs, but his “bucket list” will include some unfamiliar peaks, as well as famous ones such as El Capitan in Yosemite.

“I want to go to places people wouldn’t think about going,” he said. “You’re more likely to find me in Kyrgyzstan than on Everest.”