Friday 3rd Feb 2012
Length: 3.53 miles 5.68 km
Ascent: +750m
Scotland again

The walk in was gradual and easy apart from frozen water on the path to dodge here and there.
This was the second attempt we had done on Curved ridge within 6 weeks, our previous fail on 29th Dec saw us retreat a good way up when we hit a maelstrom of wind and snow, today could not have been more different.
Once we had skirted the mountain to its East face, we started to climb steeply, crossing frozen waterfalls and climbing snow slopes amongst the rocky sections.
The lower part of the ridge proper I found the most difficult, as a fresh covering of snow covered the rock, not good for ice axes and hard to find any good rock cracks for the axes to cling to underneath, that was the only place I felt I could have done with a rope for security.
Further up again is a tricky chimney, this was supposed to be the crux of the scramble, but I found this easier.
The views as we climbed were fabulous…looking across Rannock Moor to distant snow capped mountains, and the amazing rock architecture of the Buachaille’s East face that filled our view as we paused to take it all in.
And we nearly had this all to ourselves, only 2 other’s were on the face today, we chatted to them here and there as we passed each other en route.
The last section has 2 options, either scramble around Crowberry tower and up from there, or climb exit gully, we chose the later as the snow was good and firm, this I really enjoyed, leading the now group of 4.
At 1.15pm we reached the summit and was met with amazing views previously obscured as we climbed, it was a privilege to be apart of this mountain experience, and only a few others were about to witness it…simply awesome!

Reluctantly we walked down the broad ridge and dropped out of the sunshine into the cold Coire na Tulaich, and down the steep snow slopes above the rock and stream gully below.
The last third of the walk out was by the usual path, getting us back to the car-park by 3.15pm. All in good time to pitch our tents in the Red Squirrel, and head for the Clachaig for good beer, music and company….a great end to a great day.
(Thanks to Keith Harper for some of his pictures)

Under the waterslab

Water slab by Keith Harper

Under the waterslab

Icy Waterfalls

Easy stuff (by Keith Harper)

Crampons on! (by Keith Harper)

Nice Ice

Gaining height

Snow gully

Don't slip now! (by Keith Harper)

High above Rannoch Moor

Taking a break (by Keith Harper)

Nice easy ridge

A tricky Chimney behind (by Keith Harper

Climbing the Chimney (by Keith Harper)

Climbing the Chimney (by Keith Harper)

Climbing the Chimney (by Keith Harper)

Getting a bit rocky

Summit still a long way off

Exit Gully ahead

Exit Gully ahead

Exit Gully

Exit Gully

Exit Gully

At the top of Exit Gully

Summit view to The Ben

What a view!

Summit view west

View South West

Bidean Nan Bian

Leaving the Summit

Leaving the Summit

Along the ridge

Dropping down Coire na Tulaich
And the video of the climb here:-
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUYwh9m-0hU[/youtube]