This was the one day of the whole trip for which we had a clear weather forecast, so we were determined to make the most of it. Aonach Eagach had been on our list for a long time, and this was going to be the day. Packing plenty of food, and our basic rope and gear just in case, we managed to start walking at 9am.
Some descriptions of the traverse can be a bit off-putting with their warnings, but as the conditions were great for scrambling that day (no slippery bits or holds made loose by rain), and there were hardly any other people on the ridge (no traffic jams), we did not have any hold-ups. It was a 9-hour day, though (including lots of pauses for photos and an hour enjoying some conversation with a couple of other walkers, the weather and the views on the penultimate top).
Going up Am Bodach to the Aonach Eagach ridge. Looking west down the valley of Glen Coe
Looking south across the glen at Aonach Dubh and Stob Coire nan LochanLooking east down Glen Coe towards the Buachailles and Rannoch MoorLooking north-east towards Sron GarbhLooking north at the eastern MamoresStanding in front of Aonach Dubh and Stob Coire na LochanClose-up of Blackwater Reservoir in the distanceLooking ahead along the ridgeThe eastern Mamores – the main peaks being Na Gruagaichean, Binnein Mor, and Sgurr Eilde MorLooking over the reddish Garbh-Bheinn at the central Mamores – An Gearanach, Stob Coire a’ Chairn, Am Bodach (a different one to today’s), Sgorr an Iubhair, and Sgurr a’ Mhaim (the so-called Ring of Steall). Ben Nevis is visible in the far distanceThe Chancellor in the foreground, with Loch Achtriochtan in the glen and the Sisters on the left – looking westLooking ahead along the ridgeView north to the MamoresThe way aheadLooking back, with Blackwater Reservoir in the left distanceLooking westView westwards to the Crazy Pinnacles of Aonach Eagach. The green hill behind is Meall Mor, with Sgorr Dhearg behind that to the right
Go on to Part 2 (Part 2 shows the Aonach Eagach ‘Crazy Pinnacles’ part of the day)
