Aonach Eagach

[Bod]

Following our 2nd night camping at Achindarroch, Duror, it was time to tackle Aonach Eagach with it's 2 tops and 2 munros, but to be honest we were just thinking "Aonach Eagach"!
Munros didn't matter as the lure of the ridge was capturing our drive and imagination for the day. Having two cars we headed for Glencoe Village and left one car 1km past the Bridge of Coe. We then drove up past all the campers, hikers and bikers passing the Clachaig and rejoined the main road to park up by the top carpark below Am Bodach.

Redrock and I close to the summit of Am Bodach. (The Bidean massif behind--stunning!)

This was a fun ascent on a steep and sometimes challenging path, but all minds were on the unknown. Just what lay ahead? And how would we all feel when meeting the scrambles that we had all heard so much about? It was wonderful and exciting to feel such focused emotions. The outcrop known as the Chancellor was what I was preparing to catch sight of...and there is was!

The Chancellor...inviting and exciting...perhaps if we were slightly earlier in the morning an hour of fun could have been spent here? Something to look forward to next time....? he he

Now what focused our minds was the "drop", what would that be like? Had we envisaged anything like what the reality would be?

Just ahead of us lay the drop, a series of steps and short slabs, somewhat different to what I imagined. For some reason I had a expected a wider awkward large slab.....we soon started to drop as hanging around might have caused concern.

How lucky we were to have such a wonderful dry day - mist and rain would have presented many more emotions...

Following the series of scrambling drops a wee short ledge brought us back onto the mountain ridge between Am Bodach and Meall Dearg.

The Am Bodach drop that allows access to Meall Dearg following which lies the Aonach Eagach ridge.

The next kilometre was a fairly straightforward and very enjoyable ridge walk for Redrock, Valerie and myself with a very pleasant resting spot on Meall Dearg our first munro of the day.

What a glorious sight!

The next 1.2km was amazing and took us possibly a couple of hours, but why rush it - it was fantastic fun, with challenge to suit and moments relaxation to cherish forever.

Valerie ascends the first chimney with Redrock waiting at the top.

Valerie and Redrock doing one of several walker's bum-shuffles...he he

The pinnacles, the crazy pinnacles were now what occupied our minds! What were they going to be like for us "mountain walker" types?

The Pinnacles begin...and people seemed to just pop up!

After a few minutes weighing the pros and cons of following a lower path (quickly eliminated!) We headed up over the top of what seemed "crazy" at first, but it was great fun and others appeared out of nowhere!

The path, and what a fantastic path!

Oooooh and a bit more to go before Stob Coire Leith...

Whow! The path hits a wall and there's no way round --- but it's up and over following the crampon marks on the rocks from the winter climbers. This was fantastic advice from Redrock's bro, "if in doubt, follow the crampons." Brilliant fun, but must say thank goodness we had it so dry!

Fun scrambles!

Endless wonderful views of Glencoe below!

"Stob Coire Leith here we come", but first it was time for a chill-out and picnic nibbles sharing tales with fellow walkers...

The very refreshing ridge walk leading to Sgurr nam Fiannaidh...

One very happy chappie, but I would always advise best doing this route with an experienced person in not too large a group!

Please enjoy my last two views heading home, one eastwards and one westwards skirting below the Pap of Glencoe with views across Ballachulish Bridge with my favourite Corbet Garbh Bheinn in the background.....heading there soon....happy walking in 2011 to all!

The Clachaig awaits....! A braw venison stew was my reward...

[LeithySuburbs]

Aye, ok... great stuff - that certainly whets the appetite for this moderately interesting stroll .

[ChrisW]

wow - great pics bod, is that ledge as dicey as it appears (one slip and you're gone)

[PeteR]

Every time I feel the confidence is there to tackle this ridge someone posts a picture which puts the fear of God into me Not sure my nerves could stand that ledge if it is as precarious as it looked from your photo Maybe if I have a few beers first it will help.........

Some great pictures by the way Bet you had a great day

[Valerie]

just to reassure Chris and Pete it is me on the ledge and it really didn't seem that bad at the time, don't let it put you off it was a fantastic day

[HighlandSC]

Nice report
The beginning scramble and ledge you show- is this the part I've heard called the "Entrance Exam"?

[rockhopper]

Great report and well done on completing the walk.

Have wanted to have a go at this for quite some time but now I think I'm not so sure Think I'd need to find someone to do the walk with me when I do get to it

[Labdad77]

Stayed in Achindarroch a couple of years ago. Great wee place with flush grass for camping and really reasonable prices. Dead nice guy from Alexandria owned at the time. Is it still much the same?

Great pictures of the ridge, gives a good prespective of whats involved. What was the wind like that day as it was pretty blustery when I was on the Buachaille on the Saturday?

[Border Reiver]

I loved reading the report and seeing the pics. I lost all of the pics I took on the two times I did this walk and only have a few bits of rubbish video left. You had weather like I did and it doesn't seem as though it was too busy. I've heard that it can be like a slow procession on some days, with lengthy waits as some terrified walkers are coaxed along on a tight rope. On my second time, there was someone clinging tight to the 2nd pinnacle and no way would he move, so I had to climb around him and go and send his mate back with the rope. Thanks again for the report and pics - they've brought back some happy memories.

[skuk007]

Excellent report, you're all very brave. Lots of great pictures, well done.

It's the only weather I'd even imagine being able to do this one in. A few years off for me yet I thinks and I'm definitely going to ask for help from someone who has done it before.

[Redrock]

Bod's done us proud with this walk report - and trust me, that ledge isn't as bad as it looks! You can see it's location in the next photo looking back at the bottom right of the climb down. Nevertheless - along with the rest of the ridge - it demanded our respect - with lots of three point contact! It's a good thing that the climb-down is at the beginning of everything - even before the first Munro. If you can get down it you should be able to complete the ridge okay. "Follow the crampon scratches" was definitely good advice. There are some bypass paths in places, but we were wary of them and decided to go over the top most times - much more fun and you found those delightful high-level promanade paths on some of the tops! I didn't find it as scary as some make out but the good dry weather and a not too strong wind were certainly a bonus. Competant scramblers with a reasonable head for heights should have no problems with the Aonach Eagach ridge. And it can really be quite exhillarating! I hope to post my version of this walk soon!

[Lifeonloop]

The ledge must be worse than it looks as I did not even notice it, worst part for me was bum shuffling down off Am Bodach. The Chimney is pretty straightforward as well.

Clachaig Gully is an awful climb down though, no let up in the steep descent and a lot of loose rock. Most people go the long way round

[hillmad55]

Loved looking at the pictures guys, I would love to be able to do this. but dont have the nerve well done

[andrewdoggett]

Epic report; looks absolutely awesome; cannae wait to do this ridge

Loved the errr bum shuffling

Great photos...

[colgregg]

Every time I feel the confidence is there to tackle this ridge someone posts a picture which puts the fear of God into me Not sure my nerves could stand that ledge if it is as precarious as it looked from your photo Maybe if I have a few beers first it will help.........

Some great pictures by the way Bet you had a great day

My sentiments exactly.Just looking at the pics have made me think OMG!! I'll never do that. It's the kind of walk I'd have to do on my own as I'd spend so much time panicking partners or panicking about partners there'd be no pleasure in it. Hell of a place to take your last steps though!!