Obituary

Geoffrey Phillip Ashton Scovell
1950-1995

Although Geoff was born in Surrey, he was brought up in Yorkshire, where he became fond of the outdoor life, and hill walking, in particular.  In 1949 he took a Mountaineering Training course in Zermatt, where he learnt the elements of rock climbing and snow and ice technique. Upon his return to Knaresborough, he sought and joined the YRC, being especially active in the 1950’s.

He was quickly introduced to pot-holing by his contemporaries and, with them, made descents of Gaping Gill, Nick Pot, Sulber Pot and Lost John’s Hole.  He was devoted to, and spoke frequently of, the legendary Ernest Roberts, with whom he descended Goyden Pot in Nidderdale.

In 1953 he returned to the Alps and, after a stroll up the Sparrhorn, traversed the Gisighorn from Bel Alp.  At the Oberaletsch Hut, he waxed enthusiastic about a new petrol stove he had purchased and proceeded, unsuccessfully, to demonstrate its merits.  At first, it wouldn’t light and then, when it did, shot up in a ball of flame.  When the laughter was quenched, he set out for and climbed the Nesthorn.  This trip terminated with a traverse of the Byke Pass over into the Lotschental and then to Kandersteg.  

Geoff was especially keen on rock-climbing and spent many enjoyable days on the Old Man of Coniston, Napes Ridges, the Langdale Pikes and Gillercombe Buttress.  Nearer home, he was a frequent visitor to Almscliff.  In 1954, he climbed Observatory Ridge on Ben Nevis.  Crossing to Sky, with two other members, he climbed the Window Buttress, Inaccessible West Face and Collier’s Route on Alasdair, all in poor weather.  

However, his happy hunting ground was Guise Cliff, with which he will be, forever, associated.  He cleaned the routes he made and left as his legacy ‘Climbs on Guise Cliff’ in the YRC Journal of July 1965.  A tribute to his work on this cliff is also recorded in ‘Climbs on Gritstone.’

Geoff was one of the most cheerful companions one could have on the hills.  He was immersed in them and talked of little else. He was, above all, a safe climber.  Despite a long illness, he attended the Club Dinner these past few years. We extend our sympathy to his wife Mary, who has nursed him for so long, and his sons Martin and Rodger, of whom he was so proud.

M.F.W.