Walkhighlands

Well thats me back dooon safetly from the BIG AE and what a day .NO words can describe it but BRILLIANT thanks to the guide i had (Mike ABACUS MOUNTAIN GUIDES). Picked me up from the hostel in FW at 8:am and stated to me that high winds were forcast in late afternoon so we need to be off by 4:pm. Started walking by 08:45 and he said to me 2hrs to Am Bodach (took 1hr30mins) Once there that's when the fun started a quite a steep drop to get onto the ridge which leeds to the first munro of the day as you know Meall Dearg. Once i satrted desending the butterflies started to flutter away and i grew in confidence that everything was going to be ok. Once down onto the ridge i thought mmmmmm that wasn't bad at all and no sooner we were on top of Meall Dearg .Until we reached the munro the whole of the ridge was just covererd in the usual CLAG .After Meall Dearg things got a bit hairy scrambling wise but the hand holds were GREAT and where to put your feet was very easy. Weather started to pick up (not wind wise) and soon the CLAG started to lift on one side of the ridge (Glen Coe Side) We evern saw a broken spectra down the levern side.
Then it was the crazy pinicles (i always thought you had to go straight over them but mike took me just to the right and upwards so just missing the very top. 30 mins Aprox all the technical stuff was finished and all we needed to do was to climb our way to the second munro of the day again as you know Sgorr nam fiannaidh. Once on top of the second munro i was so chuffed that i decided NOT to do the COWARDS WAY. Looking back to the ridge again the GLEN COE side was clear but the Levern side was still covererd in Clag.from the summit we turned directl left and heading for the Clachaig road where it meets the A82 AND what a job that was You were literally surfing the stones (Great fun but bloody hard on your legs) i have a fealing that the desent from top to bottom must be in the top 10 as having the longest continious drop. Eventually back down on the road Mike told me to go to the Clachaig and sit there while he tries to hitch back to his van (oh yes sorry but i had gone up by train) within 30 mins he was back to pick me up and took me to FW. Anyway folks from a very happy chappy Would i do it again well that is a definate wait for it YES YES YES would i do it again with a guide mmmmmm I would like to think that i could cope without a guide but only when the weather is good Possibly next summer. Anyway here are some photo's i took

Braw.

Stunning!!

Really atmospheric...
Nice to see some contrast on the rigde, I'm more used to seeing grey over whitish-grey there

Fantastic stuff

Gratz, glad you enjoyed it!

Well done mate, nemesis conquered . Got this done a couple weeks ago and loved it.

Oooh well done
I still havent got round to it.. So many hills, so few weekends

I did AE 45 years ago as a youngster and these were my 2nd and 3rd Munros. Each time I drive through the glen now I look up and think "I did that" and feel pleased. You did well and congratulations. It was an experience and you will never forget it - even if you go back. The first time is always the best. You have fantastic photographs to reinforce those memories.

Well done Stomper. See you have ticked them off already. Good luck on Ghabhar.

Glad you conquered this and overcame your fear of it. Even more so that you enjoyed it so much that you'll do it again, without a guide, this can only help others who in awe of this ridge to just get out there and do it. All the best for your final one and hope you get a fine day for it.

Thanks guys I must admit i was extremely scepticle in actually doing the ridge and was always thinking abooot doing the munro's seperately so missing out the ridge. i think the fear factor is is that it gets a bad reputation. The ridge i found was it looks worse them it actually is. I don't want to sound clever but it's defenitaly one i will do again like i said earlier on and hopefully on my own. Regarding the first time is the best i whole heartly agree as you don't know what to expect and whats coming to you so you don't have the fear factor as much

Well done stomper,you done the right thing getting a guide .Good luck on you're last Munro

Well done Stomper. You must be apprehensive approaching your compleation munro? A realatively easy one to get to Stob Ghabhar. Superb.