Historic Member Profiles

Member Profile - Alf Slack

Alf Slack, lived from 1918 to 1998, and was a keen member of the Lomond MC. Originally from London but moved to Scotland in his youth and remained here ever since. He spent his life working in botany, and worked in agriculture, forestry and teaching and was a botanic researcher who was most known for the rediscovery of an alpine plant called Purple Coltsfoot, which was thought to have been long wiped out, high up on a ledge in Coire Fee in Glen Clova, and to this today remains a reason why the Coire is protected.

It was was during Alf’s botanical research that led him to discover Coire Daimh on Beinn Udlaidh and introduce it as a future climbing venue to all, with first ascents of well known routes today as “Quartzvein Scoop”, which were originally climbed as summer routes long before they became winter climbs.

He was also responsible for such routes as “Slack’s Route” on The Cobbler, “Slack & Russell’s route” on Arran.

http://archive.bsbi.org.uk/Wats22p293.pdf

http://bsbi.org/wp-content/…/dlm_uploads/ScottishNsl1986.pdf

 

Member Profile - Dr Nabiz Malay

A well loved member who passed away on Ben Nevis on the 18th of April 1993.

A tribute to Dr Nabiz from the LMC 1993 journal by Richard Napier;

"Born in Iraqi Kurdistan, he loved sports and nature and as a young man walked far and wide in the mountains of Kurdistan. In the 1970's Nabiz fought with other volunteers in the Kurdish liberation movement in their revolution against the tyrant Saddam Hussein to stop the genocide and oppression of the Kurdish people. He had been a dedicated and courageous Peshmerga (freedom fighter) and as leader he risked his own life in dangerous assignments for the Kurdish cause and would always do without himself rather than see his friends in need.

Nabaz refused to serve in Saddam's army in the war against Iran, and soon had to leave his Kurdish homeland behind.  A keen climber, he joined the Lomond Club in the early 80's and made many friends here. HE climbed extensively and in 1988 achieved his goal of raising the Kurdish flag on a Himalayan summit when he trekked and climbed in the Karakoram. He believed that by climbing hish he could conve the suffering of his Kurdish nation closer to the heavens, in the hope that one day justice and peace would be bestowed on them from above.

Nabaz was a  brave and keen individual and kindly to others. The games we climbers play, our personal goals, and the dangers we put ourselves in, seem selfish and pointless in comparison to the selfless and good Nabaz had done for his people and the generous spirit he had shown to the Club and to others.  Despite the tragic accident, Nabaz would not have wanted any of us to change our attitudes to mountaineering. He lived for the mountains, the freedom they symbolise, and the friendship that climbing engenders. The mountains took him from his family, and from us, but we will not be sad forever, but remember Nabaz's strength of character.  So we will be strong in his passing, strong for his bereaved family, and for ourselves. We will remember him for his courageous spirit and be encouraged by his example of goodwill towards others.  Some will have known him well, others less than we'd have liked, but we will all miss him and remember him."