A CAMBUSLANG woman who scaled one of the world’s most dangerous mountains when she was just 15 years old has won a prestigious award.

Ice climber Caitlin Connor is this year’s recipient of the Scottish Youth Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

The 20-year-old, who is a member of the GB Ice Climbing Team and a Scottish ice climbing champion, co-founded the Scottish Dry-Tooling Club in Glasgow to help inspire others to take up the sport. Dry-tooling is “ice climbing without the ice,” she explains.

Glasgow Times: Caitlin in actionCaitlin in action (Image: Dave MacLeod)

“There are no mountains where I grew up,” she says, laughing. “I got into ice climbing through rock climbing with my dad. I wanted to try something new so went to England for a dry tooling competition, and loved it.

“After competing for a couple of seasons, I wanted to share this sport with everyone in Glasgow, so Willis Morris and I founded the club. I am head coach now and love being able to teach young people and show them what I know.

“The club is an easy and accessible way for others to get into the sport of ice climbing. It’s a safe environment and also a great opportunity to meet people who have a similar passion and desire for climbing.”

In the summer, the club ran its first international event in the Czech Republic.

Glasgow Times: Caitlin has brought the sport of dry-tooling to GlasgowCaitlin has brought the sport of dry-tooling to Glasgow (Image: Dave MacLeod)

“It was a great experience,” says Caitlin. “We also run a CIC Hut meet on Ben Nevis, and we’ve had athletes travel from other countries to take part, which I think shows the outstanding work the club has done to grow the sport over the last couple of years.”

Caitlin competes in ice climbing around the world, and will represent Great Britain in the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup later this year.

She added: “I am honoured to receive the Scottish Youth Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture. My role in coaching and mentoring younger climbers is vital to me.” 

READ NEXT: I told nurses about my smear test fears and it changed my life

Caitlin is also an ambassador for Urban Uprising since 2015, using her climbs to fundraise for disadvantaged youth.

Lydia Rohmer, principal and chief executive of award sponsors UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “Caitlin Connor clearly displays not only the resilience and determination needed to compete in this challenging mountain sport, but also the passion and drive for excellence that success at the highest level requires.  

“We were also most impressed to see the range of activities and responsibilities she has undertaken to not only nurture new talent – even at her own very young age – but also to support so many other causes with her fundraising and ambassadorial roles.” 

Caitlin climbed Mont Blanc, considered one of the deadliest mountains in the world, to raise money for PoppyScotland, a veterans’ charity which is close to her heart.

“Both my parents were in the armed forces, and my brother Scott and I were in the Cadets from a young age,” she explains.

“I understand the importance of charities like PoppyScotland so when I had a chance to fundraise I decided to do it for them. Climbing Mont Blanc remains one of my greatest accomplishments.

“I’ve had a few scary moments over the years, but everything I do is relatively safe,” she says. “I love what I do – it’s such a fun and exciting sport.”