by Harko » Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:48 pm
Date walked: 20/04/2015
Time taken: 6 hours
Distance: 12.2 km
Ascent: 1273m
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Having done the West Highland Way a couple of weeks ago, and having been blessed with spectacular weather doing it - I was looking at the conditions in Glencoe as I was travelling from Kingshouse to Kinlochleven, and the urge to have a crack at the Aonach Eagach for my second time was spawned!
The first time I did this was about 3 years ago - I did it in a small group with guides directing us across, it was a fantastic day, and I remember being overwhelmed by it all with a sense of fear and excitement!! When we finished I thought - it's going to be a while before I'd be prepared to have a crack at that on my own... but now after gaining a bit more experience since that epic day, I felt ready to give it a go myself!
The conditions were looking favourable - no threat of rain, a bit of cloud in the morning that was going to clear with brighter spells due in the afternoon. Slowly walking up towards Am Bodach from the car park - I was thinking about some of the parts I'd found tricky last time I did it - nothing specific sprung to mind, although I do remember some of the down-climbing parts being a bit daunting...
When I got to the top of Am Bodach, I met a woman with who I assume was a guide - they had full climbing kit (helmets, harnesses, slings, climbing rack, rope... etc), and the woman asked me if I had my kit in my bag or if I was just going to run across like spiderman??!! I silently gulped - and said I'd just be taking my time, and that it had been a while since I was last up here!! Deep down I was hoping I wouldn't make a fool of myself - ha ha! They pressed on and I had a quick bite to eat before setting off about ten minutes after them...
As I started to descend Am Bodach they were just ahead of me taking their time and they invited me to pass them - I thanked them, and hoped that I wouldn't hold them up as I went ahead of them!
Going down Am Bodach and pressing on towards the scrambling ahead - I was thoroughly enjoying myself. I was still a wee bit nervous, but this time round - my overall feeling was excitement rather than "I dunno if I can do this!"
I managed to make it across quite safely - the conditions were great though and helped me tremendously... there was a few patches of snow up there but no ice, it was ideal. Once I finished I went into the Clachaig Inn for a well earned pint and some food - a fantastic end to a fantastic day!!
- Attachments
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- Pass of Glencoe
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- Looking down from Am Bodach ascent
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- The Chancellor
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- The route ahead from Am Bodach
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- Descent from Am Bodach
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- Beginning of fun scrambling
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- Patches of snow on route, but thankfully - no ice!!
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- The Chimney - a natural staircase formed in the rock!
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- Ben Nevis hiding behind the clouds!!
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- Sun trying to break through the cloud in the background
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- Looking back across the ridge
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- Sisters & Bidean
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- The ridge is exposed in places, but very slabby with plenty to hold on to
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- More obstacles!
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- Looking across the valley
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- Just a few more obstacles before easy street
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- Fun scrambling line
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- One last look back
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- Ben Nevis reveals herself at last!
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- Sgorr nam Fiannaidh summit
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- Looking down toward Glencoe on descent