Curved Ridge-the Big Bookil

[iainwatson]

Wow wow wow
What a day!
Amazing climb and walk with superb company of Chris and Michelle

Buachaille-Etive-Mor-Curved-Ridge.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[Chris Mac]

Buachaille Etive Mor, the 'big shepherd of Etive', is an imposing mountain, rising dramatically above Rannoch Moor and guarding eastern approaches to Glencoe. 'Curved Ridge' is a superb Grade 3 scrambling route aiming directly for the Buachaille's northern Munro summit, Stob Dearg.

After the Aonach Eagach, 'Curved Ridge' is the most popular and well known rock-scramble in the Glencoe area. The holds are good, the difficulties are never too sustained and the views are exhilarating.

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/hilltalk/aonach_eagach_vs_curved_ridge_summer_conditons-550463

https://www.ukscrambles.com/scotland-scrambles/glen-coe/

https://www.fionaoutdoors.co.uk/2012/10/i-did-it-i-climbed-curved-ridge.html

[Chris Mac]

http://www.stevenfallon.co.uk/scrambles-definition.html

Grade 1 : easy rock-scrambles

"This grade of scramble will be fairly straightforward for most experienced hillwalkers. It may be necessary to use the hands occasionally for progress, but the holds will normally be large and the exposure will not be too daunting." The use of a rope is not expected.

Grade 2 : moderate rock-scrambles

"This grade of scramble will require the hands to be used for more sustained sections. The exposure will be significant, and retreat may be quite difficult." Route finding will also be more tricky than Grade 1. For people with the necessary experience, the use of a rope is not usually expected.

Grade 3 : advanced rock-scrambles

"This type of scramble may involve making moves on steep rock in very exposed situations. All but experienced climbers might prefer the protection of a rope in some places. Occasional moves of Moderate rock climbing standard may be encountered. The ability to abseil may be useful if a retreat has to be made." Grade 3 rock-scrambles are effectively Moderate Climbs, and we treat them as such using ropes and relevant climbing gear.

6) Curved Ridge, Buachaille Etive Mòr, Highland

SCRAMBLING STATS: “When you asked if I fancied some scrambling, I thought you meant like Striding Edge, not the north face of the Eiger,” was how one pal reacted halfway up this terrifically exposed, Grade 3 route to Buachaille Etive Mòr, high above the vastness of Rannoch Moor. Still, he managed without a rope, as should any confident, fit walker with a head for heights and an authoritative guidebook to help overcome the confusion of routes.

BEST APPROACH: Park at Altnafeadh (NN220563), cross the River Coupall and fork left beyond the hut at Lagangarbh to reach the foot of the Buachaille’s north face. Refer closely to your guide to identify the correct ascent up the left wall of Easy Gully: a mistake could cost you dearly. Much of the route is worn and obvious, though you’ll encounter a few bad steps before reaching Stob Dearg, the Buachaille’s main summit.

ESSENTIAL GUIDEBOOK: Scotland’s Mountain Ridges by Dan Bailey (£18.95, Cicerone, ISBN 978 1852844691).

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/walk-magazine/current-issue/2014/august/autumn-issue/a-guide-to-scrambling.aspx

Amazement and terror go hand in hand in Glen Coe.

This is a realm of mountain giants. The great buttresses of Bidean nam Bian frown down on man and motor alike on the A82 as if they were ants. The north east face of the much-photographed Buachaille Etive Mor, a perfect pyramid of sheer mountain meanness towering above Rannoch Moor, is impregnable-looking at first glance but on closer inspection reveals Curved Ridge, an adrenaline-pumping Grade 3 scramble. Then there’s the Aonach Eagach, six miles of tortuous knife-edge ridge representing one of the most impressive mountain days you can have, well, anywhere.

Nothing is done by halves in Glen Coe, but the reward for taking on those mountain brutes are experiences that will stay with you for a lifetime.
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/hill-thrills-britains-top-6-scrambling-nirvanas

https://www.mountaineering.scot/activities/mountaineering/scrambling

https://www.thoughtco.com/six-rock-scrambling-skills-755426

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/hill-skills-scrambling

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/hill-skills-how-to-protect-scrambles

[Chris Mac]

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rocktalk/curved_ridge_my_arse-309079