J. H. B. Bell

James Horst Brunnerman Bell, (Dr J. H. B. Bell) (1896-1975) was regarded by many as the leading Scots mountaineer in the period prior to World War II. He put up many serious routes on Ben Nevis and around, and tutored amongst others the younger W. H. Murray. His 'Scottish Climbs' is still well regarded. One of his 'first ascents' was 'Long Climb' (Bell & J. D. B. Wilson, June, 1940) , a 1400ft Severe on the Orion Face of Ben Nevis - it is reputedly the longest in the UK.

Bell trained as an industrial chemist (DSc, Edinburgh, 1932), and so (according to Murray) regarded food only as 'fuel', mixing many courses together when preparing for a day on the hill.

Bell was always keen to train others, and did several of his new routes with women climbers, including his wife Pat. He published 'A Progress in Mountaineering' in 1950.

Bell also revised the guidebook for the Island of Skye (originally produced by Steeple, Barlow & MacRobert in 1931) in 1954.

References

*Bell, J. H. B. Bell (1950), "A Progress in Mountaineering", Oliver & Boyd
*Brown, Hamish (editor) "Bell's Scottish Climbs", Gollanz - an edited version of Bell's work.
*The Long Climb is described by Malcolm Slesser in Classic Rock:-:Wilson K, (1978), "Classic Rock", Granada
*The Island of Skye by E.W. Steeple, G. Barlow & G. MacRobert & J.H.B. Bell. 1954 3rd edition