16th June 2013 - A wee jaunt over the Aonach Eagagh

Panorama of Glen Coe from the Aonach Eagagh

Anna, Rachel and Alex on the ascent of Am Bodach

Anna and Rachel on the ridge

Cloud licks the summits of Stob Coire Nan Lochan and Bidean nam Bian

Anna tackles the pinnacles

Looking back along the ridge on our descent

This weekend Anna's sister Rachel and her boyfriend Alex were stopping by on their way up to Torridon, and they were keen to get out on the hill with us. As I was working at Outward Bound on Saturday, we were left with Sunday and the hope of good weather. They have both had their eye on the Aonach Eagagh ridge in Glen Coe for quite some time, and by Saturday the forecast looked quite reasonable (dry and wind-free) and so we made this our objective.

With the luxury of having two cars we left one at either end, saving us a long walk or hitch hike at the end of the day. Starting from the eastern end of the ridge, we plodded up the never ending flank of Am Bodach, and were blessed with some terrific views and photo opportunities on the way up. As we reached the summit, however, it was evident that the cloud was not intending to play ball as it lingered motionless upon the ridge ahead. Undetered, we made our way to the first of the difficulties and stuck on harnesses. As this was both Alex and Rachels first time on such terrain I wasn't taking any chances, and felt much happier knowing that if they got spooked or into difficulty I could make them safe quickly and easily.

Anna led off downclimbing from Am Bodach onto The Chancellor, followed by Alex. I then came down talking Rachel through the motions and giving her a bit of confidence on what is exposed and consequential terrain, especially for those who are not used to it. After this we plodded on, overcoming the tricky sections quite easily, and being treated with views northwards (but not south!!). There are a few tricky steps along the way until you come to the real highlight - the Pinnacles. This short, exposed section is the only part I thought I would maybe need to get the rope out, but once Anna had shown the way, Rachel and I moved along the Pinnacles side by side and she did absolutely fine negotiating them, only having a bit of a wobble when she laid her hand on a very loose peice of rock!! Alex then followed on, and Anna got some terrific shots of us crossing over.

By this time, of course, the cloud cover had changed, now sporting terrific views southwards and blocking all such views northwards, which was a pleasant change for us as we pushed on and completed the final 'hands on' sections of the ridge before the slow plod up to the summit of Stob Coire Leith, and finally Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh, the second of todays Munros. From here we made a bee-line straight down the scree slopes in order to bolster Rachels confidence on such terrain before they head north to tackle some of the Torridon mountains (Liathach being an obvious objective with a particularly knarly scree descent). Again, this little jaunt helped her to overcome her fear of loose rock, but as is always the way, once we had left the scree and were following a fairly pleasant little track she went cart wheeling down the hill and recieved a bash on the nose for her efforts! Luckily she was only a bit shaken (as was Anna who was no doubt aghast at seeing her sister fly past her upside down and back to front - a rather novel way of descending and not one I think she will want to repeat!!)

Finally we were down by the road, relieved to let our legs relax after the steep downhill slog. We had a great day - Rachel and Alex ticked off a long held ambition, we had great views throughout the day, and just enough cloud to make it look very dramatic, it didn't rain and we never once had to even think of getting the rope out - a massive confidence booster for the guys. There was only one thing left to do - head to the Clachaig Inn for a nosh up fit for Kings, washed down with some fine Fraoch Ale! Thanks guys for a great day!