The Dreaded Return

[Fife Flyer]

Yes I know I said I would never return, but after chatting to Campbell and Wullie on FB the original plan was to head up north to An Teallach, however the forecast was for fog & low cloud, so not much point in travelling all that way to see s*d all The forecast was better for the south so after plenty of suggestions we opted to pay Aonach Eagach a visit. After my first trip there I have always said I would never return, but having enjoyed Skye and the similar challenges provided there I thought "why not" Especially as the forecast was for wall to wall sunshine. Campbell & Cameron had done the ridge a few times, whereas Wullie & myself had endured the experience the once and not in the best of weather conditions, namely pretty grotty with little or no view
The plan was fairly relaxed and in a few ways seemed to throw Wullie & myself off course a wee bit, more of that to come
I had arranged to meet Campbell & Wullie in Crianlarich at 10.45 which is a very leisurely start time, left my car there and travelled to Glencoe with Campbell. It was almost deja vu as Campbell has almost the same car as the one I have just sold, the only difference his is diesel The plan was to leave a car in Glencoe village (Wullie's) and leave the rest at the parking area at the start. Cameron was running slightly late (as students do) and it was 12.15pm by the time we started heading uphill By this time I am normally either well into the walk or on the descent


Quick photo before the off

As we started the climb which for those who haven't ventured onto the ridge is fairly steady from the off and it wasn't long before Wullie was gasping for breath After one or two stops on the way up to Am Bodach we eventually made it and by this time it was not far off 2 o'clock and I hadn't had my lunch yet


Wullie relaxing on the way up


Another wee rest

We had been chatting to a couple of guys who were 'travelling light' and had come across from Germany, so we filled them in about the Scottish hills and imparted a bit of advice. they were off to Skye to take part in the half marathon They had no accomodation arranged so if you are reading this, hope you enjoyed Skye and managed to find a bed somewhere


Bidean


Looking down Glencoe


Pretty busy down below


Campbell looking for someone/something

After lunch it was onto the main event, firstly the bit I remember most from my previous visit, the initial descent off Am Bodach The good news was I found that part rather easy, I put it down to experience and knowledge gained over the past couple of years


3 posers blocking the view of Bidean


Same 3


Different 3


The Chancellor (not George Osborne)


2 volunteers


Campbell surveying Glencoe


1st volunteer, naturally running


Nearly there


Facing the wrong way!


Next volunteer


Here they come

Once down off Am Bodach for me it was just a matter of following Cameron who was always way ahead & Wullie, with Campbell bringing up the rear.


Campbell descending

I won't describe all the individual intricasies that the ridge poses, mainly because there are too many and I can't remember them I will let the photo's do the talking


The way ahead, looks fairly easy!


Just follow the path


Looks a bit more challenging


Looking north towards the Ben


Ben zoomed


Blackwater Reservoir


Looking NW


What a view?


Santa coming 'up' the chimney


Ossians cave zoomed


Sneaky shot below through one of the many 'gaps'


Posers


Cameron off again


Same posers


Cameron waiting patiently


Wullie trying to blend into the rocks


Looking across to the Bookils


Campbell almost blending in


Plenty of cars down there


Interesting bits approaching


Don't look down Wullie


Contemplating


Next bit


Posers again


Just love the view


Looking back


The way ahead, easy peasy now


Looking SW


Another gap


Never noticed this from the road


Zoomed


Loch Leven

Loch Leven with Glencoe village

I mentioned at the start that things wouldn't go exactly to plan, about three quarters of the way across the ridge, rather loud expletives were coming from the direction of Wullie - he didn't sound very happy
He confessed that he had made a wee bit of a fopar, his car keys were sitting in Campbells car back at the start, which meant that we had to come up with yet another plan on how to get back to the parking area at the start. A few suggestions were forthcoming, which I won't go into but Cameron being an all round good egg as well as being super humanly fit, volunteered to run off the ridge, presumably down the gully (eek) and then back to his car
As Wullie and I were the senior members for the day we volunteered to take the leisurely way back down to Glencoe village, Campbell had decided as he was feeling fit to tackle the Pap on the way back down
Wullie and I descended down the rocky descent path, blethering away which made the descent almost pleasant Cameron had already disappeared well out of sight by now & we caught a few glimpses of Campbell heading across to the Pap.
Wullie & I stopped a couple of times on the descent having come across a super little burn, which was utilised to top up our liquid supplies as they were getting a bit depleted.
Once we reached the road we turned right towards the village and we had hardly walked any distance and who should turn up in his car - Cameron, what a hero We updated him that Campbell would be down soon so he was going to wait for him & then head back to the start. Wullie & I took a nice leisurely stroll along the road, in the shade back to the village.
So endeth the drama
A cracking day, in fantastic weather, with some super human efforts. Glencoe doesn't get any better than that

Next port of call for me will be the Gorms again, maybe Monday, forecast over the weekend not overly clever

[basscadet]

That looked fabulous, not jealous at all I passed in the car yesterday dinner time, and the ridge looked tip-top.. shame I didn't know about your predicament or I could of helped you out

[The Rodmiester]

Fabulous photographs Martin, guess the Cuillin has hardened you up, AE a piece of cake now

[SAVAGEALICE]

Funny this ridge ...having "survived it" the first time , I remember saying that I wouldn't tempt fate and do it again ....... Now ....all I remember is the fun stuff and want to do it all over again!! looked a grand day to be out

[simon-b]

The dreaded return doesn't seem to have been so dreadful after all, Martin. Sounds like you had fun.

[skuk007]

Great photos there, that's the sort of weather I'd need to do this one

First report I've read on this one for a while and it hasn't put the fear of God into me, you made it sound easy!

[old danensian]

There'll be no stopping you now Martin - a winter traverse next?

OD

[Bay Bloke]

What a great report on my list for 1 day in the future....

[quoman]

It was some day right enough a late start, me whinning like a old dog,ave no energy my legs are shaking and that was just at the start of the walk then leaving the carkeys in Campbells car

A very big thanks goes to Cameron.

It was good meeting you all the same Martin maybe the next time it will be a bit sraightforward

[roscoT]

Brilliant pictures mate. Cheers

[ancancha]

So I'm not the only one who starts off in the afternoon
Great photos and you make it sound easy and fun, I've thought about it, but not fit enough at the moment

[Fife Flyer]

That looked fabulous, not jealous at all I passed in the car yesterday dinner time, and the ridge looked tip-top.. shame I didn't know about your predicament or I could of helped you out

Thanks Seana, see you next Saturday

Fabulous photographs Martin, guess the Cuillin has hardened you up, AE a piece of cake now

Thanks Rod, AE is never a piece of cake & definitely not for me

Funny this ridge ...having "survived it" the first time , I remember saying that I wouldn't tempt fate and do it again ....... Now ....all I remember is the fun stuff and want to do it all over again!! looked a grand day to be out

I still wouldn't call it 'fun' Alice One thing for sure you don't need boots on, maybe apart from the descent, where the path had turned into a burn

The dreaded return doesn't seem to have been so dreadful after all, Martin. Sounds like you had fun.

Fun is not quite the word I would use Simon, but Skye certainly helped

Great photos there, that's the sort of weather I'd need to do this one First report I've read on this one for a while and it hasn't put the fear of God into me, you made it sound easy!

Not sure I would ever call it easy, it does help to have folk with you who have a wee bit more experience

There'll be no stopping you now Martin - a winter traverse next? OD

No chance of that Nigel

What a great report on my list for 1 day in the future....

Thanks (sorry don't know your name)

It was some day right enough a late start, me whining like a old dog, ave no energy my legs are shaking and that was just at the start of the walk then leaving the car keys in Campbells car A very big thanks goes to Cameron. It was good meeting you all the same Martin maybe the next time it will be a bit sraightforward

Totally agree re Cameron, would have been midnight by the time we got home otherwise

Brilliant pictures mate. Cheers

Thanks

So I'm not the only one who starts off in the afternoon Great photos and you make it sound easy and fun, I've thought about it, but not fit enough at the moment

I have never started that late before I can assure you it isn't easy & it is fun if you like scrambling and have a good head for heights

[Dunblane Bagger]

Brilliant report and pics.

I did the ridge many many years ago now, but recently have been getting a hankering to do it again. Much more experienced now and have lost my fear of heights too (which is a little wierd). I love nothing more than getting my hands and feet on the rock nowadays. Looks like you had fanstastic weather too which totally makes the day.

Great effort you guys, and the ridge is most definitely back on my radar for another assault. Might even drag my wife up with me this time round !