Curved Ridge, Buachaille Etive Mor

[Pensioner]

Excellent climb on the Buachaille via Curved Ridge in perfect conditions. Took the usual path from Altnafeadh up under the Water Slab and the tedious loose scree trending right over wet steps to the start at the obvious rock rib. A succession of steep walls followed but with ample holds via several wide ledges

Looking down the initial steep wall.

and some right traverses on thin ledges to the crux crack up a steep wall.

On the crest.

Enjoyable moves.

Topping out.

Final easy scrambling led to the Crowberry Gap and the top of the Buachaille. My 6th ascent and a superb day on the hill, one of the best.

[past my sell by date]

Nice pics. I've done this a couple of times but not sure I found it correctly - particularly coming from Lagangarbh/Altnafeadh. it's much easier going up via Jacksonville as you see Curved ridge clearly from the bottom

[gaffr]

From a camp on the other side of the river from the Creag Dubh hut was where we first reached the ridge....stepping stones a bit upstream from the refuge. Your eye is then drawn to the perfect way to reach the summit of Stob Dearg and later got know this ridge quite well after many days spent exploring the the rock on the mountain.

[Chris Mac]

Great pics and report, I had only just discovered Curved Ridge when reading up on the Buchaille Etive Mor earlier in the week as I was almost heading there on Friday, then your report popped up, then my cousin mentioned doing it several times while we were walking today!

I took it as a sign... we're planning to go and do it very soon now so thanks for the extra incentive, it looks superb, a nice airy scramble!

[Pensioner]

The problem with starting at Jacksonville is that you're unlikely to return that way since you end up on the summit of Stob Dearg and either do a traverse of the whole hill or descend Coire na Tulaich to Lagangarbh/Altnafeadh. Best to start at Altnafeadh unless you can downclimb the route you've just come up!

[gaffr]

If you are a steady scrambler it is reasonable in descent on a dry sunny day...all good training for mountains where descending on easy rock is the only way down. As is normal there are other options.