Heading to the Scottish Highlands for an Easter break with the Rock Hoppers Mountaineering club.
Perfect conditions for early season scrambling my mate Tom, Jacqui and I started on
Curved Ridge (S3), the classic scramble up Buachaille Etive Mor or “The buckle”as its usually known. A great morning out it gives continuous scrambling on good rock and with massive views over the plains leading into Glen Coe..
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| Us Scrambling up Curved Ridge |
The following day we went one better and climbed an equivalent scramble to the summit of The Ben - Castle Ridge (M). At the base there was still a smattering of snow left over from the winter and the route itself had a reasonable amount of verglass. The route gives many scrambling options and finishes on a ridge with some nice exposure...
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 | | Snow at the base of Castle Gulley |
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 | | Starting the scramble |
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Above the ridge it was very much winter conditions. Luckily we had our four season boots. We headed for the summit and found refuge in the summit shelter amid whiteout conditions!
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 | | On topping out heavy snow cornices remain |
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 | | Tom heads for cover on the summit of Ben Nevis |
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After a day of cragging at a local outcrop we teamed up with the whole group (The Rock Hoppers MC) headed for a hike of the
Ring of Steall (S1) . A fantastic circuit taking in several Munroes via rocky scrambling terrain and with spectacular views of The Ben.
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 | | An Gearanach and An Garbhanach as seen from Stob Coire a' Chairn, 981m |
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 | | Lunch on the summit of An Garbhanach, 975m |
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We finished the trip with a return visit to Glen Coe, and another scramble on The Buckle. albeit in thick cloud. A perfect finish to the week on
North Buttress West Route (S3)…
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 | | Me on the final day on Buachaille Etive Mor |
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 | | Tom down climbing a steep snow field | | | | |
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