Some thoughts and reports from outings...
Blogs from some outdoor adventures.....
I was flicking through some old pictures tonight and found some oldies of what I think is probably my first "mountaineering" experience. A the time (2001) I had only walked a handful of Munros but already had the bug. A couple of friends were up for Easter and invite me along to join them on a "ridge walk"!! It was late April and it was showery when we left the central belt. I remember reaching the top of Glen Ogle above Lochearnhead and witnessing a white Tarmachan ridge - at this point it was suggsted we try this but we kept to our origional plan of the Aonach Eagach. My Dad had told me to watch it as it was steep so I headed his advice!! I can remember borrowing my friends fathers boots as they were compatible with crampons and of we headed (I had no proper mountaineering equipment back then and I think I did my first 50 or so munros using old "Catapillar boots" and cotton shorts and shirts with tresspass cagules and trousers!). It was chucking it down with rain when we parked up but as we ascended it slowy and surely turned to snow and soon we were following the footprints of others who were in front of us- guessing they were going where we were going (a map and compass were also handy!!) Anyway I have recollections of standing at the top of Am Bodach and the snow stopping and the clouds dispersing - what a view of the ridge - capped in snow!!! It was an awesome sight. The next thing I remember was an extremely tricky down climb on wet snow from the top of Am Bodach!!! A steep and immediate introduction to mountaineering!! Not sure if I'd leap straight in now (although a winter traverse is on he hit list soon (with better equipment and knoweledge however!!).I can also remember crossing the pinnicles and then a descent south from Sgorr nam Fiannaidgh which was initially scree then steep grass and boulders. My feet were kiling me in my borrowed boots (these fell apart th next day in the mamores and were trapped together using a rucksack strap) and the after a second day of hiking in Glen Nevis I had some rather larger blisters!! I have attached the old pictures below and my origional report under it :) Original report.....Aonach
Eagach Ridge : Meall Dearg 953m/3127f(212) 28/04/01 Sgorr nam Fiannaidh967m/3173f(188) 28/04/01 Climbed with Ad and Dave. Left the car in Glen Coe – Ad drove Weather was heavy rain when we left the car– had Ads old mans Boots on for use with crampons. As we ascended the view to the three sisters was fantastic. Also the rain started to turn to snow and was heavy . Path dissappeared. We Were going to turn back near the summit of An Bodach due to snow but just as we were , the weather cleared for the rest of the day Leaving blue sunshine and brilliant views. The ridge was very scary. When we went down the first 20 metre drop I about shit myself on the slabs with wet snow on them. Very good scrambling though. Best day yet. Once at end descended down the scree like spacemen!! Went to the Clachaig for Beer and Nachos before going to Fort William.
3 Comments
Leili
9/23/2013 03:07:55 pm
Hi, i read your memory,
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Murray
10/9/2013 04:02:11 am
Thanks Leili, it was an old recount of an exciting day n the hills :)
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Murray
10/9/2013 04:01:21 am
THANKS lEILI- It was an old recount of an exciting day:)
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