Roasting on the Aonach Eagach
Yesterday with Becky and Matthew I made a traverse of the Aonach Eagach Ridge in very warm weather. On the approach I always find it better to follow the stream bed path, rather than the steep ridge track. Water on the ridge track is non-existent, whereas the corrie stream gives hydration well up to 900 metres. Most people solo the ridge, but a short length of rope, harness and helmet is recommended for greater assurance if required. A few long slings and at least a litre of water is advised. Easy to moderate rock climbing should be expected, both up and down. We took eight hours, but it can be achieved much more quickly and often slower. Only the middle 25% of the ridge, plus a short section at the start are difficult. The remainder is fine high ridge walking on a broad grass and rock spine. Leave a car at GR 113584 to allow retrieval of a second vehicle higher up the glen. Don’t forget to take the keys with you for the second car!! If one car is used a long walk back up the busy A82 is not pleasant. For details of guiding on this famous and popular outing, contact Bruce Poll at West Coast Mountain Guides.
-
- View from the layby and two cars are better than one. One lower down the glen on the back road towards the village of Glencoe.
-
- The first thirty minutes of the approach and grand views down Glen Coe
-
- Take the approach route up the corrie for high water replenishment,
-
- The view towards Ben Nevis when arriving at the start of the ridge.
-
- The abrupt early descent from Am Bodach should sharpen concentration and give an understanding of difficulties to come later.
-
- Traversing over the exposed ‘Pinnacles’, one of the crux sections of the ridge.
-
- A simpler section
-
- A simpler section
-
- Easy rock climbing
-
- Approaching Stob Coire Leith, a ‘munro’ satellite
-
- Simple rock climbing
-
- Aonach Eagach Ridge
-
- Aonach Eagach Ridge
-
- Five minutes to the car and the first water for a while on this very dry day
-
- Five minutes to the car