The Aonachs, CMD + The Ben

[tombombadilio]

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Sunburst during walk up deserted MTB track

Looking north to descent-ascent from AB-CMD

MTB track

Absolute lick, relentless

First views of The Ben

Deer on AM plateau

Grey Corries?

More GC

Flowers?

Aonach Mor summit

Yet more GC

Scarred approach to AB

Bealach between Aonachs

Snow

Aonach Beag summit

Other guy at summit - good chat. Walked at some pace, skipping down to CMD ascent - mental

Final summit pic

Steep descent

U-shaped valley

Intimidating but doable

Worst over, enjoyable ridge approach

First view of CMD arete

CMD summit to myself for 5 mins. Dripping with sweat. Midges out

Start of arete, initially to myself

Bit of a breeze, midges at bay, dappled sunshine. Bliss

Looks bad, but not an issue. Stuck to the ridge

Bealach before ascent to The Ben

Bealach. Listening to rock falls of idiot scrambling up corrie from CIC hut

Summit. People

Breeze, no midges, crowds dispersed after half hour. Watching climbers ascending via ? route

Leaving summit

Descent

Lot quieter after splitting off to retrun to Torlundy via lochan

Pathless heather trudge to join path coming down from CIC hut

Decent path. Midges replaced by persistent flies

Long forestry trudge back

Quicker without long lunch on Ben

Summary:
Early start worth it - only car in car park when set off about 0515. Subsequently avoided most people until ascent to Ben. But missed footpath up Aonach Mor, not signed well. Relentless initial ascent, heat, thirst and midges on CMD summit mitigated by weather, views and perfect CMD arete traverse with no pressure - highlight of walk. No desire to return to Ben Nevis summit though. Back at still deserted car park for 1700. Exhausted but happy.