Over The Hill

Following yesterday's glorious weather on Sgurr Eilde Mor we were hopeful of a similarly dry day, albeit, with slightly more cloud, as we drove across Rannoch Moor, through Glen Coe and along the shores of Loch Leven for the second day in a row; this time stopping in the layby at Caolasnacon for our start point in Gleann a'Chaolais.

A rather wet and boggy track meanders along the glen, flanked on either side by the rocky slopes of Stob Coire Leith and Stob Coire Sgoilte as it gently gains height en route to the 535m bealach at the head of the glen. Below the bealach the outflow from the small lochan merges with the waters flowing from Coire Carn, deep below the north face of Aonach Eagach, and once across the river, the obvious route, and that which we had chosen on a previous visit, is to head uphill alongside the waterfall to the low point of the bealach and the small lochan.

However, today our eyes were drawn to another gully, one which carved its way between the rockier crags of the north east ridge and from which emerged one of the small streams flowing from the ridge; and so it was towards this gully that we headed, at first over rising slopes of rough heather which gradually changed to loose rock and rock slabs as we climbed towards the ridgeline. In reality, the climb was not as complicated as anticipated, with the added bonus that we emerged on the ridgeline at the 700m height, well above the bealach and alongside a couple of small lochans and a very prominent "red" rock, and ideal spot for a short break before the final climb to the summit.

The ridgeline is almost one continuous boulder field, although it is possible at points to find a rough track which winds its way between the boulders as you make your way towards the summit which suddenly appears in front of you as you clamber up a rocky section, leaving a short, and easier walk to the cairn on this haven of flatter ground which sits centre point along the Aonach Eagach Ridge. And what views, just beautiful, even with the slight cloud cover the mountains of Glen Coe looked stunning, and, for a second day in succession, Ben Nevis was there in all its glory, cloud free.

We enjoyed a leisurely break on the summit, taking time to chat with 4 others who were traversing the ridge, arriving from the Am Bodach section, grateful for the offer of a piece of Jimmy's tablet, before departing west towards Stob Coire Leith where we watched them scrambling up the first of the pinnacles on this section of the ridge. As for us, well, those who can count the Aonach Eagach as one of their triumphs looked on and regaled us with tails of their traverse, whilst some of us just pondered over the thought that "maybe one day!"

But not today, as we departed the summit and reversed our route back down the rocky north east ridge, passing beyond the gully of our ascent, and on down towards the 535m bealach, from where we made our descent over the heather and bogs towards the crossing point on the Allt a'Chathaidh Riabhaich and a return down the glen to our starting point.

Another great day, the weather holding out and providing us with those stunning views - Wonderful company - Thanks Everyone.