(by Peter O’Neill, 1999)
Joss Lynam’s 75th-birthday ascent of Pine Tree Buttress in Luggala.
"There were two outstanding early achievements on the same day. One was Joss’s lead of Pine Tree Buttress, the crux pitch being done while belayed precariously to the pick of a slater’s hammer jammed periodically into vegetation by Pat Crean who was simultaneously ascending Crean’s Crawl, this pitch being followed by a lengthy fall when the top pitch was attempted straight up."
On Saturday 17th July 1999, en route to his 75th birthday party, Joss Lynam climbed Pine Tree Buttress at Luggala, a route which had its first ascent fifty years ago, on 26th March 1949, led by Joss himself. This time the route was climbed by a party of three, with Liam Convery leading Joss and Bill Hannon.
| Hear Joss talk about the climb: |  |
Some photos
Joss and Liam: The chimney
Bill: Pitch one
Liam: Pitch two
Joss: Pitch two
Joss: Reaching the top
Joss and Liam: The top