For obvious reasons! I started to feel pleased with what I’d achieved. Photo gallery: curved ridge at Buachaille Etive Mor. Curved Ridge and North East Ridge of Aonach Beag ... We were both very relieved to get past the crux section which involved quite a bit of rope trickery and an assisted hoist. To be honest, the ridge is narrow and so there is little you can do than follow the line of all other climbers. Well, not in the foreseeable future anyway. Napier, 11th April 1898. Mountaineering Scotland Participation Statement. I am a widely published journalist and also a multi award-winning blogger. The walk into the base of the ridge gives little clue to the actual climb. I could hear the encouraging words of the G-Force up ahead and there were other climbers al around just doing their thing. And on our return to Glasgow, it was the G-Force’s turn to feel very afraid. I gave myself a talking to and just kept walking, scrambling and climbing up. With the help of a guidebook photograph, identifying Curved Ridge from the road is fairly straightforward. Cuillin Ridge. I hope you enjoy my collection of news, ideas and inspiring stories on this website. The G-Force said he would do this instead. Fiona Outdoors receives free products for reviews from brands and companies, but I only accept products on condition of independence. The crux of the route is not far away. Near the top there’s a choice of an easy walk-off up a grassy gully to the top of Curved ridge or more of a scramble on a narrow path going right towards the col between the top of Rannoch Wall and the North Buttress. Some blogs on this site will be also be sponsored and include affiliated links. Clear and sunny yesterday, with scattered showers and a few inches of melting snow on the highest Lochaber summits. , t . I was feeling properly scared and I just kept saying to myself: “Let’s get this over with.”. Climbing this ridge has long been on my “could I do that?” list. It’s a grade two/three scramble in summer. Your email address will not be published. “I’m not entirely sure I’d recommend that,” he said with a shocked grin on his face. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. Bernard Jarvis tackling the crux of Curved Ridge. A few inches of snow lay around the summit cairn giving it a wintry feel. Award-winning outdoor and nature writer, editor, author, and photographer. He somehow manages to calm me and instill me with confidence. These posts are then generally secured by a horizontal beam which then forms an "A" shape. I mark these as such. Then, up ahead, I suddenly glimpsed a significantly steeper rise in the ridge, with a deep gully/chimney to its right. Nearly bought a pair of approach/scrambling shoes as I have been converted to their usefulness. For some reason we went right! The rope only came out for the steep crux pitch on the upper ridge. Today, milder and more showery but still better than average. Email: [email protected] The crux of the route. The rock architecture and scenery all around was more impressive than I would have believed. If only it were twice as long. The climbing was never hard, entertaining throughout and on ribs of excellent rock. Approaching Curved Ridge. for all sorts of things including Aonach Eagach and Curved Ridge, they were awesomely sure footed. As I said, the climbing itself is easy enough and if the chimney was at ground level I’d have mountain goated up it without ropes but it’s the height that messes with your head. I even made it to the pub for 4pm to watch the English beat the Welsh in the Six Nations rugby. There is little to beat the sense of achievement that comes with overcoming fear and a huge challenge. The crux … I really did! There were some trickier sections but nothing that challenged my climbing ability, even while wearing winter hiking boots. We were lucky for the low cloud cover lower down on the ridge keeping the temperatures down. Ph Alex Ekins. The view from the top was lovely as ever, with the huge drop down onto the moor all the more impressive as we had climbed the steepest side of the mountain. At the next steep section, the G-Force again decided to use ropes. The move is enclosed in a corner so didn't feel too exposed. Had coffee, ate pie, got food supplies in Morrisons, then returned home before heading off to the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven … only to find out it closes early on a Saturday. We climbed Curved Ridge up to the summit of Stob Dearg on Buachaille Etive Mor before descending via Coire na Tulaich. 2012/10/13. “Just look up. Rannoch Wall is a vast, sheer cliff reaching high above Curved Ridge; classic climbs such as Agag’s Groove run up and around the face. I’ve no idea. Gib on the upper section of Curved Ridge with Rannoch Wall behind. There was no way down and so I knew I was going to have to get on with it. The G-Force followed up behind me, having checked that Smiler and When-I-Lived-in-NZ were ok. Eventually the crux of the ridge, the 'Crazy Pinnacles' , is reached with drops on both sides. There was no snow on the route or in the gully behind Crowberry Tower and just a very short patch of soft snow to be crossed at the head of Coire na Tulaich. Unregistered users can only view full size photos that have been added this month. He’d always wanted me to do this route and I thought it would be a good challenge. Today Rach and I made a trip into Fort William for shopping and ogling at things in Nevisport (I ended up getting a pair of new gloves, as my old ones have worn out). You can do this,” I told myself. Easy and enjoyable. How it's done. The G-Force kept saying how proud he was of me. Yesterday Rach, Isi and I had a fantastic climb on Curved Ridge, one of the classic routes up the NE Face of Stob Dearg on Buachaille Etive Mor. A climber standing on the lower section of Tower Ridge When the weather is good and you are moving well after a few months of wearing crampons, Tower Ridge is a delight. I specialise in writing about the great outdoors and adventure. Richard Wa rren, Chairman of the Lake District Mountain Rescue Association , comment s : “ 30% of call outs in the Lake District generally are truly avoidable if walkers planned better, carried maps, compasses, head torches and learnt how to navigate. The hand and feet holds are mostly large and easy to find and there is little to test your climbing ability. The crux is short and sharp, but the rest is a delight, with plenty of optional extra difficulties if you go looking. Today i was on Curved ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe. But it’s the feeling of exposure that changes how most people cope with this climb. My mind was made up by Smiler Sarah and When-I-Lived-In-New-Zealand Dave. The crux corner and view from the top after ascent. “ The crux is near the top, so retreating is a long way, and people try to carry on, ” says Mike. Snowy conditions. It’s an inspiring mountain cliff and I think Curved Ridge was an ideal initial venture onto this side of the mountain. Curved Ridge was an excellent choice of route today and fitting finale to the trip. All things considered, five routes is definitely a successful trip. The ridge wasn’t that busy with most parties making their way to Rannoch wall for steeper climbing. Snap happy: A shiny new camera for my birthday! All in all another classic day in the mountains, and probably the finest weather we’ve had since we’ve been here! But I’ve never felt comfortable with heights and I’d been told the ridge was pretty exposed. But by now my mind was making me feel nervous and pretty ill. This has worked for me. We started our day working on Curved Ridge. The antihelix represents a folding of the conchal cartilage and it usually has similar prominence to a well-developed helix. Your email address will not be published. I managed the climb but my nerve was definitely going. Monday, January 20, 2014. There are still some bits that have sudden drops and I couldn’t get the feeling of exposure out of my head. Other blogs many also include a link to this disclosure page because they are commissioned posts. All around me were other climbers smiling and chatting but I just stayed silent. You need to take the climb head on and avoid going into the gully but there were lots of good holds. Panic surged through me and I couldn’t believe I’d agreed to do this route when I hate heights. Rannoch Wall is a vast, sheer cliff reaching high above Curved Ridge; classic climbs such as Agag’s Groove run up and around the face. Any views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views on this website. Crux of Curved Ridge. It is so, so far down and I felt as scared as I’ve ever been on a mountain. Every time we met up on the ridge, Smiler and I talked of huge fear but of how thrilled we’d be to reach the top. Dave Brown and myself simulclimbing on Curved Ridge, Buachaille Etive Mor. But my legs trembled and my mind screamed: “Scared!”. I work, write and play about Scotland's great outdoors. Posted by Paddy Cave (MIC) at Tuesday, January 21, 2014 No comments: Email This BlogThis! It’s an easy route that winds down the mountainside. Tel: 07803 970 425. Curved Ridge scramble. And then again we reached an easier climb and I relaxed again. A Y-shaped curved cartilaginous ridge arising from the antitragus and separating the concha, triangular fossa, and scapha. I've had clients use these on Cho Oyu and Mt Vinson so can vouch for their warmth. The first steep rise of Curved Ridge has a horrible deep gully to its right. Further below Smiler was having her own confidence difficulties but David’s patience guidance helped her up the route, too. Over the past few years I’ve experienced – and coped with – many ridgey and fairly exposed sections of mountains while climbing more than 100 Munros. Every time I stopped to wait for the others to climb up I’d only been able to stare at the rock face in front of me. From then on I’d been unable to look down again. Click to read about Buachaille Etive Mor crag (Highland). High cloud base but ragged lower cloud in places. Then, up ahead, I suddenly glimpsed a significantly steeper rise in the ridge, with a deep gully/chimney to its right. I’d been invited to bungee jump from the Titan Crane but I said no. The companies and brands receive no guarantee of endorsement. The rock architecture and scenery all around was more impressive than I would have believed. Snow bollard practice into Coire na-tuillach. I never thought I could do that – but I had. You might also like to find out how I can work with you. 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Once we’d all climbed up to where the G-Force sat, the route eased a bit and we climbed onwards unroped. Required fields are marked *, Kit Reviews / Outdoors & adventure / Running, Review: Flanci skapri (aka the winter skort), Review: Hoka One One Torrent 2 for trail running, Fit over 50 / Inspiration / My fit at 50 / Outdoors & adventure / Ski & Snowboard, Inspiration / Outdoors & adventure / Walking, Chris Howard’s 11,000-mile walk of self-discovery around Britain. I climbed Curved Ridge. As the G-Force recovered from his “terrifying” 40m Titan Crane Bungee Jump at the weekend, his first words were almost a mirror of my own after I completed the Curved Ridge of the Buchaille Etive Mor, in Glencoe. I was out on Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor today with a Falkirk Community Trust Outdoors team of John, Robin, Kim, Phillipa, Oleysa and Roddy. Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor. It was the best option to find snow, stay sheltered and keep moving. Photo by Al Halewood. My mind and body very much needed to feel safe on the summit and 10 minutes later that is where I found myself. This day event is a guided rock-scrambling and climbing day on Tower Ridge on the North Face of Ben Nevis in the Central Highlands with an experienced and qualified mountain guide. A friend's selling a pair of nearly new Boreal G1 Expedition boots.Size 11.5 which fit a UK 10 - typical Boreal sizing! Shot on Feb. 7th, 2010. Tower Ridge is the ultimate super-classic climb that is long, beautiful and has its crux sections right at the top. But then I realised that I wouldn’t have pushed my limits at all. I was relieved – but I didn’t really feel much else. I’d climbed Curved Ridge. This, apparently, is the crux of the route (grade 3) and until I could properly see this section I had no idea it even existed. Registration is quick and completely free. The G-Force decided that although this is an easy grade 2 climb, he would rope us up to make us feel more confident. The Rannoch Wall from the base of the crux move. I think I could have climbed this section un-roped by I respect G’s decision. A narrow gap is followed by a climb of 15m up a chimney (much easier than it looks), then continue along the distinct path on ridge's crest, some short sections of easy scrambling and rough moves on the way. I am still on a high from doing this, so glad we did. Weather in the glen: The rope only came out for the steep crux pitch on the upper ridge. We were soon on Curved Ridge and enjoying the climbing, the conditions were challenging with fresh snow covering all the rocks which lead to a steep introduction to Scottish winter climbing for Steve. He said that he felt fine about it until he stood on the edge – and then tried to think of every reason why he shouldn’t do it. The final section of the ridge should have felt much easier but I was tired and feeling very exposed. =( So we only got two routes in before we had to go home again! D K ‘ W i d e B o y ’ a n d G o l d e n P i t o n w i n n e r , P e t e W h i t t a k e r , m a k e s t h e s e c o n d a s c e n t o f t h e w o r l … Above the crux, they took turns on the sharp end before we reached the summit of … The morning was dry and wind free, so everybody enjoyed climbing dry crux sections in a relaxed manner. Every time I looked up the view of the ridge seemed to have morphed into something else and so it wasn’t until I was actually climbing that I could understand how the route fitted together. They had come up to Scotland from Scarborough to enjoy one of our Munro bagging weekends and they were very keen to do Curved Ridge. The tourist trail path  is almost the opposite extreme of the Ridge. The snow on Curved Ridge is starting to consolidate and good in places, but still quite loose in others, which enabled Jess and Rich to get stuck into a variety of mixed climbing techniques. Curved Ridge is one of the best-known climbs in Glencoe and most people will have looked on in awe at the steep ridge while sitting comfortably in their car driving the main road of Glencoe. It was incredible witnessing the athletes flying past up the ridge. Curved Ridge 300m II/III,3*** (but can attain grade III after heavy snowfall) First ascent: G.T. Winter Mountaineering – a tale to make you laugh. But all I wanted to do was walk back down to ground level. What else could I have done really? They are advertorial, although I still monitor the content to ensure it is of a good standard. This enabled us to move efficiently up the ridge, sticking to the summer line all the way. It made me feel sick to the core of my stomach just to see them climbing up that route! The biggest mistake made on curved ridge is not getting on to it in the first place! Never mind, it’s been a great ‘weekend’ all round. I had glanced out and down about half way up the route and the drop was horrible. This ridge is a lot about mind games and it helped to be belayed by rope and harness. The crux sections are quite easily seen and it’s worth throwing in a couple of pitches on these. So, last weekend, when we found ourselves in Glencoe in glorious autumn weather, the G-Force suggested we try Curved Ridge. The crux move near the top of Curved Ridge. We have one very exciting documented walk on Glen Coe, the Curved Ridge scramble. I just don’t look down, always ahead, forwards or at the horizon. Meanwhile, two happy mountain goat girlies passed us headed for the frightening looking steep rise of Rannoch Wall on the other side of the gully. I’ve also been fortunate to walk most of these Munros with the G-Force, who is very, very good at helping me to deal with difficult mountain situations. We roped up again for the chimney section. I have scrambled over tricky sections and learned how to deal with my own fears. I’ve doe a few mountain walks in them and enjoyed the light weight and lack of fatigue.In the past I’ve used Inov8 315’s (?)