Return to the Aonach Eagach Ridge

[thorburn7]

The first time I done the Aonach Eagach was in October 2016. Me and 2 friends camped at the Kingshouse and attempted the ridge on a damp and misty day. It took us about 11hrs but it being October meant the daylight was scarce. It was quite nerve-wracking that day. Visibility was very poor and we were all novices to the ridge. Great adrenaline fueled day but maybe descending down Clachaig gully in the dark wasnt the best idea .

Fast forward to May 2018 and I found myself on the ridge again under very different circumstances. I'd now climbed 140 Munros compared to 60 at the time of the last visit. The bank holiday weekend had brought warm clear skies. There was still a little snow left over from the Beast from the East and I now possessed previous knowledge of the ridge.

This was the first bank holiday monday i'd had off in some time and with views like this on offer it was an easy decision to return to the ridge and actually get to see it.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Before you even get to the first Munro theres a bit of steep descent off Am Bodach but this is just a wee taster of thing to come.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

We set off at 9am and manged to get to the summit of the first Munro for midday.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

The steep down-climb from the 1st Munro before the meat of the Aonach Eagach begins.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Looking west towards the second Munro with the ridge opening up now.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Great little hands on sections teasing the crazy pinnacles still to come.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Making good progress.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Wee group photo after successfully navigating the first tricky bit.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Always time for a bit of posing and photography.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Stunning panoramic on the narrow ridge.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Looking back from where we've came.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Throughout the traverse it always seemed we were constantly going downhill.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Back uphill from here after the narrow ridge section comes to an end.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

15:30 on the Munro top Stob Coire Leith. Final push now to the second Munro.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Summit selfie on Sgorr nam Fiannaidh at 16:30.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

All downhill from here. Heading back to the Clachaig Inn for a well deserved pint.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Great views of Loch Leven, Loch Linnhe on our descent.
Aonach Eagach by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr

Once back on the road it was another wee while before reaching the pub. I would highly recommend taking two cars for this walk as I cant even imagine having to drag myself back up to the starting point through Glen Coe.
Fantastic day out, really glad I revisited on a clear sunny day!

[yokehead]

Cracking stuff, what a great day you had, and superb photos.

Well done the crew, no wonder you look happy, I bet the pint/s tasted good!

After my traverse a kind chap gave me a lift back up the glen, what a saviour he was since it had just started to rain as well!

[rockhopper]

Well done all - you certainly got great conditions for it Nice set of photos - cheers

[Alteknacker]

Fabulous pix. And what weather you had for it ............!!!!!

[Sunset tripper]

Great pictures.

[Colin1951]

Well done for a great report and a super set of photos...I’ve never succeeded in getting a decent shot of the decent from Am Bodach for example.
You’re an example to all us old gits!