In Memory of Ian Angell
1939 to 2006
On 14th January 2006 Ian Angell died from a
head injury sustained after a fall while hillwalking on A’Chrois in Arrochar.
He was 66 and his death stunned all those who knew him.
Ian Angell on Skye
A Tribute to Ian from Bill Pattison MBE, President of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team
Ian was a former active member, (Technical Officer 1968-1985) and
latterly an honorary member of the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team and was a
competent and skilled mountaineer. I
was lucky enough to know Ian as a Team colleague and as a fellow climber here in
the Lakes and in the Alps.
As a mere twenty two-year-old he climbed the Matterhorn solo.
He climbed many new routes in the Lakes and was particularly involved in
the early development of St Bees Head.
Ian was a qualified British Mountain Guide (1978), member of the Fell and
Rock Climbing Club, the Alpine Club, Wyndham Mountaineering Club and the
Scottish Mountaineering Club. In the 1990’s he made several visits to the
Stauning Alps in Greenland, making a number of first ascents. One of which he
named Shirley's Peak after his wife and oft times climbing companion.
His sense of humour, fitness, determination and a willingness to get the
job done were his hallmarks. One
example of his ability to lighten the mood in a worrying situation I remember
well. On one Mountain Rescue training course at Glenmore Lodge Ian and myself
were barrow boys for a 1500ft horizontal lower down a face to the left of
Ardverikie Wall on Binnein Shuas. About
a third of the way down we encountered a tottering stack of rock which seemed
keen to join the scree below. We
considered it carefully and managed to traverse away from it.
With a chuckle Ian commented that ‘we could always hide under the
stretcher should it come off’. Much to the consternation of the casualty firmly strapped
onto the stretcher with no chance of escape!
Ian retired from the UKAEA in 1996 and successfully developed his own
business. This gave him more time
to devote to his passion of mountaineering. He successfully completed the Munros
in 2005.
Ian on Sgor Gaoith Summit
Ian died on the 14th January whilst descending A’Chrois near
Loch Lomond. He was unlucky to fall
into a hidden rock crevasse and reportedly died instantly.
Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team found him the next day.
A deeply Christian and family man he is survived by his wife Shirley and
their three sons, Timothy, Adrian and Stephen and his two grand-daughters
Bethany and Megan.
As he lived so he died.
Bill Pattison, MBE
President, Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team
Ian and Shirley - 1961
Further tributes and reports can be viewed using the links below
Scottish Mountaineering Club obituary by Colwyn Jones
Rugby Mountaineering Club Tributes
Press reports from 1961 to 2006
Page created 10/12/06