Bheithir in the snow

[alanmurray]

Left Perth early, arrived at Ballahulish at 7:50am.
Started near the school, and made our ascent up the northeast ridge.
Steep continuous ascent, path ok
You can see the path just below the snow line to the right of the picture.

On way up

Due to the ice, couldn't climb the way the path directed us.
Took a sort of bypass path, very exposed, with a scramble up a gully Not shown).

Bit of a scramble to fist top

At the summit of the first top

First top

Put on crampons to walk to ridge to Sgorr Dhearg

Ridge to Sgorr Dhearg

Summit of Sgorr Dhearg - first munro

Summit of Sgorr Dhearg

First view of Sgorr Dhonuill - very intimidating - great vista.

First view Sgorr Dhonuill

Walk to Dhonuill did not look too bad until looked at the top section.
Aready said to Jelly that I might not make the final ascent.
He told me to grow a pair and go for it.
For scale you can just see two walkers about midway to Sgorr Dhonuill near a large patch of snow.

Dhonuill

The final section didn't look too bad, however there is a 10m long, level ridge walk that takes you to the summit plateau.
The short bit of ridge is very exposed (not shown).

Final section

Maybe you realised from a previous report ( An Teallach ) , I have a fear of heights / exposure.
I was literally at the same level as the summit but 15m away from the plateau - I was not going to do the last 10m.
After some coaching, and security of sure footedness from the crampons I progressed to the plateau - under pressure, and sweating like a fat lass.
Great views from Sgorr Dhonuill summit - glad I did it.
Didn't want to stay at the top for too long as still worrying about the 10m ridge of fear.

Dhonuill summit

Glad to be descending, quickly over summit ridge and back down the steep slopes of Sgorr Dhonuill towards the bealach

Way down off Dhonuill

On way down from Sgorr Dhonuill to bealach
Photo looking back towards bealach

Looking back to bealach

[Scotjamie]

well done alanmurray - for a mountain feartie you are managing some good summits - you'll be romping along the AE soon enough
Thanks for the great pics of a hill that I did many years ago but without a camera

[mountain coward]

Glad I'm a woman - noone can tell me to 'grow a pair'! How mean of him! But at least he got you up - I hated that top section of Domnhuill - not the narrow flat ridge but the climb up boulders afterwards and then going round onto the front above that nasty crag. When we did it we couldn't see anything except slimy verticality going off down below us... and the rock we had to clamber us was wobbly in my book! UGH!

Those pics of the ridge round to Sgurr Dhearg remind me that I always think that is one of the most elegant curves/views in Scotland!

[Merry-walker]

[alanmurray]

Thanks for the posts and taking the time to read my diary.
I have completed the Aonach Eagach - I did not enjoy it one bit - just wanted it to end.
Was harassed for many weeks before I accepted the challenge, and I knew that if I started it I would have to finished the ridge.
Will post a report soon.
One of my climbing buddies is fearless and pushes me to the limit which is good. - there is many times I would have turned back , and his words of encouragement, gets me through it - and glad of it.

Loved the curved ridge to Dhearg and the rugged route to Dhonuill.

[Merry-walker]

Ridges... aaaaaarrrgghhhh!!! No, no, no, .....

Large flat summittsssss, yes, yes,yes.....

[kinley]

Nice

Roll on winter

[Scotjamie]

I have completed the Aonach Eagach - I did not enjoy it one bit - just wanted it to end.

Didn't realise you had done this alan (apols) - but Sgorr nam Fiannaidh is not ticked off on your munro map

Will post a report soon.

for a wee taster I trust the feelings were similar:- http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6583

[mountain coward]

Thanks for the posts and taking the time to read my diary.
I have completed the Aonach Eagach - I did not enjoy it one bit - just wanted it to end.
Was harassed for many weeks before I accepted the challenge, and I knew that if I started it I would have to finished the ridge.
Will post a report soon.
One of my climbing buddies is fearless and pushes me to the limit which is good. - there is many times I would have turned back , and his words of encouragement, gets me through it - and glad of it.

Another one who should have done as per my "coward's route" But you must feel good now you've conquered the most difficult mainland Munro? (Aonach Eagach)

[alanmurray]

Yeah, glad I've completed the ridge - maybe not conquered it tho.
Most of the time just concentrating on instruction from a climbing buddy and not appreciating the mountain

The Ridge

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