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Having made arrangements with my workmates Lee, Bobby and Colin to take a trip to the hills while on holiday during the Glasgow Fair the date was set for Thursday as the weather was forecast to be at its best. So the four of us met in Dumbarton at around half seven, and until this point I wasnt 100% sure of our days destination, especially as it was cold and raining. But Lee was like a kid at Christmas at the prospect of traversing the ridge, and with assurances that the weather would improve we set off for Glencoe.
We took two cars and left one past the Clachaig Inn near to the point where our path would bring us out and drove to the small car park on the North side of the road at the foot of Am Bodach. From here the ridge was shrouded in mist and it was still slightly raining. The climb to the summit was a lot harder than i was expecting and my legs, unused to such abuse, were complaining the whole way up. Still I got there in the end and spent a bit of time recovering on the mist covered summit. I never even got a glimpse of the Chancellor. It was here that we met up with Paul from Norwich who was waiting to see if the weather would improve. We then set out together, as the mist was beginning to clear and we began to see what awaited us. The first descent from Am Bodach set the tone nicely, and a few careful moves were required to reach the ridge below.
Not long later we reached the peak of Meall Dearg, and i claimed my first munro, starting out as the Rev Robertson ended. The views were, well non-existent but we could tell that it was going to improve as we moved further on.
- View from Meall Dearg summit
- Mist clearing over Aonach Eagach
Next up, the chimney and the Crazy Pinnacles proper. Good easy climbing, and one or two limpet impressions saw us through. The weather by now was perfect and we were treated to majestic views in every direction. Having completed the ridge in such good conditions makes me respect those who traverse in adverse weather, and truly appreciate the effort those who cross in winter put in.
- Climbing the chimney
- Chimney done!
- On the ridge
- One of the last pinnacles
- View to the road
- A look back
With the hardest section over it was a fairly easy ascent to the summit of Sgorr nam Fiannaidh and a well earned rest, before taking the safer route down past the Pap of Glencoe to retrieve the car. After dropping Paul off we headed to the Kingshouse hotel for refreshments and began making plans for our next venture to the hills. Glencoe for sure, watch this space.
- Best picnic spot?
- Way down
- A final look at the ridge from the road