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The fabbydoo Aonach Eagach

PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:25 pm
by kevsbald
Couldn't believe that I took my camera for this special day and forgot the re-chargeable battery, which was still in charger 88 miles away. :evil: I am a phallus. My disappointment was slightly tempered by the fact that my buddy Cat for the day had a mobile phone (1.5Mb size) with camera so at least we'd get some photos of the trip, once she had downloaded them. Not that it was a day which wasn't memorable. I have decided to do this report in a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) style as it's a ridge which throws up lots of questions and hopefully I can provide some answers.

1. Where to park? I parked at the layby just opposite Loch Achtriochtan. This means you have a 2 mile warm-up walk to the bottom of Am Bodach - the route starts behind the small car-park and a path can be followed up - quite steep at first. Cat and I set off from here at 0800 and it was strangely quiet for Glencoe on Saturday - this meant less hassle for the awkward bits further up.

2. What is the path like up on to Am Bodach? Great. Very easy to follow but there is a small amount of scrambling about 400 ft from the top. You ascend quickly though.

3. How difficult is the Aonach Eagach and how soon do the difficulties start? Not far from the cairn of Am Bodach, there is a path, which goes off to the left - this will take you down to the fantastic prow of the Chancellor - it's scenic and a nice wee down-climb - take your time and it's straightforward enough and ideal for photos, as your party are thrust out into their airy position. This will give you a real sense of what is to come. If you don't like this, you won't like it further on. For me, this was one of the highlights of the day. Once back on to the main ridge, there is a nice path to follow before a down-climb drops you down about 15 metres. Good holds here and not that exposed - I was surprised as it was much easier than the book suggests. In fact, it was surprisingly smooth until we bagged Meall Dearg, with little in the way of difficulty. Was this going to be easier than the book and people make out? We could now see the AE ridge proper and it looked fab. The 'chimney' is a nice taster of easy holds up a funnel for 20 ft but it's not a 90 angle - maybe 70 degrees. Holds are very 'juggy', with little technicality. It's good fun and again not desperate in any way. Great photo shot though. Over the next 30-45 minutes, there are one or two areas, which need care and offer some exposure with some good drops on either side but as long as you take your time and have a head for heights, it's all good. This part may put off those who don't have a head for heights though or are confident in their scrambling abilities. Once past Stob Coire Sunshine on Leith, it's an enjoyable amble all the way to Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh and your 2nd Munro of the day.

4. What's the best way to get down safely? Helicopter. Seriously though we didn't entertain the path down beside the Clachaig gully. Because we had one car, we had decided to descend South straight off the 2nd Munro - there is a path about 15 yards on from the cairn. Initially, it's not bad but it gets very tricky further down due to the scree and unstable gravel. Care is needed so you're not on your backside or worse. Make for the grassy patches about 2/3 of the way down - once on to this all difficulties are over but it's a pretty steep and unrelenting descent. It may be easier (though longer) to go over to the col before the Pap. For us, it brought us right back to car at the layby.

5. Fit time did ye dee it in? 6 oors from start to finish and this involved a nice lunch for 30 mins and a 25 min diversion to the Chancellor. Cat had a better lunch than me - BLT. :(

6. Is it comparable to onything else? Aye it is - very similar to the Forcan ridge aka the Saddle, in Glen Shiel. If you can cope with that, you'll be fine with this.

7. Please sir? Yes. Will there be photaes o this day oot? Yes there will be. Class dismissed.

Re: The fabbydoo Aonach Eagach

PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 9:12 am
by bootsandpaddles
I did the Aonach Eagach with a group of friends a couple of years ago. It's great fun and not that difficult. I think people tend to hype up some of these scrambles, which is a shame because it puts people off doing them and having a brilliant day out. I have to admit that we did descend directly down to the Clachaig (against my better judgement I might add!) and it was horrendous. Don't do it!
We left Iain's car at the Clachaig and drove down to the start in mine. Half way along the ridge I heard a voice behind me say "Do you think I'm insured to drive your car, Ann?" "Shouldn't think so, Iain. Why do you ask?" "Because I've left my car keys in your glove box!" :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: So after struggling down to the Clachaig I left the others having a beer while I set off to collect my car. Luckily, I managed to get a lift and was back enjoying a drink in no time - orange juice, of course! :lol:

Re: The fabbydoo Aonach Eagach

PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 4:57 pm
by kevsbald
Completely agree B&P but I suppose the guide book has to cater for all levels from complete beginner to daredevil to competent padder. I'd be happy to take folk along it who weren't comfortable - it's a great day out. Initially we considered the Clachaig path but there had been so much written about it being very dodgy, the path off the Fiannaidh summit was tricky enough.

Re: The fabbydoo Aonach Eagach

PostPosted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:27 pm
by kevsbald
At last - the photos have been blue-toothed!

kevin1.jpg
Me, Stob Coire Nan Lochan and Nigel Lawson

kevin-2.jpg
The Chancellor

kevin3.jpg
Cat on The Chancellor


This is just after the Am Bodach cairn.
kevin4.jpg
1st step down that is trickyish

kevin5.jpg
Another descent part - nice!


and finally the Chimney - nae borra!
kevin6.jpg
Going up the chimney - is it even a Diff?


Not sure what the pink, Armageddon sky is all about....

Re: The fabbydoo Aonach Eagach

PostPosted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:25 am
by mountain coward
Hmmm - those pics look like rock climbing to me rather than scrambling - just you haven't got a rope!

Re: The fabbydoo Aonach Eagach

PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:26 pm
by thebaldfalcon
mountain coward wrote:Hmmm - those pics look like rock climbing to me rather than scrambling - just you haven't got a rope!



great report kevsbald, im goin up this weekend (22april),

Re: The fabbydoo Aonach Eagach

PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:26 pm
by thebaldfalcon
mountain coward wrote:Hmmm - those pics look like rock climbing to me rather than scrambling - just you haven't got a rope!



great report kevsbald, im goin up this weekend (22april),

Re: The fabbydoo Aonach Eagach

PostPosted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 1:45 pm
by skuk007
kevsbald wrote: ...I'd be happy to take folk along it who weren't comfortable - it's a great day out ...

Form an orderly queue please, behind me... :lol: