Sunday Morning on the Aonach Eagach

[RussellR]

Having thought about it for years but doing nothing about it, the time had come for me to face the Aonach Eagach!
A combination of excitement and nerves had me up and in the car by 6am, ensuring I would be well ahead of the majority of fellow scramblers if I took cold feet. MWIS had predicted 70% chance of clear tops with the occasional snow showers, however I drove through a blizzard just after Callander and by the time I came over the top of Glen Ogle, the Lawers Hills were cloaked in a blanket of white well down to half their height. At that stage I thought that I might have to change plans as I was not looking forward to a scramble on snow and ice.
However me fears were short lived as I approached Rannoch Moor the sun was splitting the sky and the Glencoe tops came into view looking great with very little snow cover.
I was out the car and on my way just after 8 and the ascent to Am Bodach was steep and unforgiving, the well defined path meant that I was standing on it's top admiring the views in a little over one hour. From there the challenge really began, I think the pictures say it all!

The sisters in the morning sun

First view of the ridge

The Chancellor

It only got better!

Stob Ban and The Ben

Stunning!

On my scramble along the top, I was making good progress and the fear gradually eased, I even thought about coming back the opposite way once I reached the end. How foolish, by the time I reached Sgorr nam Fiannaidh I was nackered from the constant up and down scramble, so after a good half hour taking in the views from Bidean down Loch Leven and to the Ben and beyond I opted for the direct descent straight down to Loch Achtriochtan.
Well, whilst this was quick it was as hard as any of the ridge and I needed breather before the final half hour walk back to the car.
Thoroughly satisfied and pleased that I had conquered this demon, I headed home thinking how I could now convince my good lady to join me on my next attempt.

[L-Hiking]

Nice report and pics....think it maybe to much for me! Never mind the Mrs!!

Cheers

[Bod]

Lovely, well done! It's just a matter of time until I revisit this too, what a great day you chose