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Weatherwatch: Sean Batty tries his hand at ice climbing

STV’s favourite weatherman took a trip to Kinlochleven Climbing Centre to have a go at ice climbing.

20 February 2012 20:30 GMT

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Sean Batty has been exploring everything weather related for his new STV show, and he was keen to try his hand at ice climbing.

Ice climbing started in Scotland about 15 years and has grown in popularity since then, with more and more people keen to try the sport.

Kinlochleven Climbing Centre in Lochaber boasts the world’s biggest ice climbing wall, and standing at 15 metres high, it’s not for the faint hearted!

Weatherwatch: Sean Batty tries his hand at ice climbing

Getting into his climbing gear, Sean was overwhelmed by how high the ice sheet was, and after getting some tips from instructor Alex Campbell, he had a go at the small wall to get a feel for ice climbing.

A technique called front plating is used, which involves using the big spikes at the front of the boots to find your balance on the ice.

It’s very safe and very controlled in the climbing centre, and weather conditions don’t need to be factored in.

After making it to the top of the small wall, Sean’s legs were sore, but he was determined to brave the colossal 15 metre high sheet of ice and soldiered on.

With his arms like jelly and no energy left, he triumphantly made it to the top of the wall. Exhausted but happy, he joked: “I think this deserves a wee celebratory drink!”

Send your questions to Sean via Twitter @SeanBattySTV, to the Weatherwatch e-mail weatherwatch@stv.tv or take part on Monday night via the STV Live App which works on most mobile devices as well as on your computer. (You can sign up to theSTV Live App here if you haven't already done so, or you can download this as an app on your mobile phone.)

Then all you have to do on Monday night is log on to stv.tv/weatherwatch straight after the show ends at 8.30pm and watch to see if Sean answers your question.

It's a great opportunity for those burning queries to finally be answered - but please try to keep it clean!

Remember to also send photographs you have taken of the winter weather from the last few months too. There have been some real extremes – from snow and ice to hurricane-force winds – throughout the country, and we’d love to see your snaps capturing those wintry days. Email photos to weatherwatch@stv.tv.

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