1st Attempt on Ossians Cave

[Sunset tripper]

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On 29th of May 2013 I arrived at the Squirrel campsite and put a case of beer in the river to cool. This wasn't explicitly prohibited as far as I know

My pal and climbing expert Steve arrived shortly afterwards having travelled up from Derby. With the gear sorted out and two tents set up we headed for the Clachaig for lagers and ales.

The gear sorted out kind of

The Clachaig is well equipped for the ale drinking fraternity and the guy behind the bar gave me a funny look when I asked if they had any real beer like Tennents lager. Whats happened to the pubs in the west of Scotland?
I had to settle for lager from the Cairngorms apparently, which was very good to be fair. The bar was quite busy with climbers and walkers but we were fairly certain we would see none of them on our walk tomorrow.
The next morning the weather was glorious and not much of a hangover either after a good night in the pub. At the Bidean nam Bian car park im sure we got some odd stares as we set off with all sorts of climbing gear including ice axes . It was almost June and a scorcher.

Our approximate route

And in close up

After the bridge across the Coe we turned right and as predicted we never saw a soul until we arrived back at this point. ( A bagger free zone ) Following the red line it was mostly steep grass and gullies. At one point tree climbing was involved to aid the ascent.

Looking back

Looking forward

The goal

After this point there was a descent into a gully then up the gully with big obstacles.

View back to the road

And another

Looking up and into the cave

After getting to this point we decided to pack it in as there was no protection and it was a long way up on crumbly stuff.

Great views on the way back down

The Ballachulish Bridge

The A82

Steve looking across at the Aonach Eagach wishing he was there instead

S#@* we've missed the bus

Back down in the glen in need of water

Conclusion- Power tools or a 100ft ladder required for the 2nd attempt

To Be Continued.................

[basscadet]

Och we have looked a few routes up to ossians cave.. from what I have heard, the last wee bit is tricky, and getting back out is problematic downclimbing.. Apparently, the floor of the cave is at a 45 degree angle, and the cave looks better from outside anyway.. Still want to do a scramble over that side of the hill though Thanks for posting

[LeithySuburbs]

I like the sign... lots of things are not allowed but butchering the English language is clearly not one of them !

So why did you have an ice axe on a scorcher in May?

[Sunset tripper]

I like the sign... lots of things are not allowed but butchering the English language is clearly not one of them !

So why did you have an ice axe on a scorcher in May?

Hi Leithy Suburbs I realise now I forgot to explain in the trip report. The axes were the type with hammers on one end and the idea was maybe we could hammer in pegs or screws to protect the wall below the cave if necessary.

we could have taken normal hammers but that may have looked more ridiculous

I forgot axes were on the list should of kept them hidden

The campsite was great by the way and no one complained about me wandering into the river to recover my beer after leaving the clachaig at closing time. I forgot that rivers change in width and depth over a few hours

[LeithySuburbs]

I like the sign... lots of things are not allowed but butchering the English language is clearly not one of them !

So why did you have an ice axe on a scorcher in May?

Hi Leithy Suburbs I realise now I forgot to explain in the trip report. The axes were the type with hammers on one end and the idea was maybe we could hammer in pegs or screws to protect the wall below the cave if necessary.

2013-05-30 16.04.07.jpg

Ah, that makes sense .

[Caberfeidh]

Nice report and pics ; I remember many years ago there were climbers dossing in the cave in winter (paradoxically it is probably an easier climb in winter conditions) to shelter from a storm. Someone saw their lights and the polis moved in , shouting at them through loudspeakers to get down. Their answer that they were safer staying where they were did not go down well with Plod, who suspected silliness was going on, and wanted everyone to go home and behave. I don't remember what happened, the climbers might well have been publicly lynched...

[Sunset tripper]

Nice report and pics ; I remember many years ago there were climbers dossing in the cave in winter (paradoxically it is probably an easier climb in winter conditions) to shelter from a storm. Someone saw their lights and the polis moved in , shouting at them through loudspeakers to get down. Their answer that they were safer staying where they were did not go down well with Plod, who suspected silliness was going on, and wanted everyone to go home and behave. I don't remember what happened, the climbers might well have been publicly lynched...

Cheers Caberfeidh Brilliant story. I would love to know how that scenario panned out. Nowadays the polis would probably just shoot the climbers from the road,

[Sunset tripper]

Och we have looked a few routes up to ossians cave.. from what I have heard, the last wee bit is tricky, and getting back out is problematic downclimbing.. Apparently, the floor of the cave is at a 45 degree angle, and the cave looks better from outside anyway.. Still want to do a scramble over that side of the hill though Thanks for posting

Hi Basscadet I have ready some of your impressive scrambling reports so if you make it into the cave leave a rope ladder dangling for me.