For obvious reasons! 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. I never thought I could do that – but I had. 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. 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. All things considered, five routes is definitely a successful trip. The antihelix represents a folding of the conchal cartilage and it usually has similar prominence to a well-developed helix. Other blogs many also include a link to this disclosure page because they are commissioned posts. Approaching Curved Ridge. 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. How to stay motivated to exercise in winter, The G-Force bungee jumps from the Titan Crane. He somehow manages to calm me and instill me with confidence. See the video of his Titan Crane bungee jump. I gave myself a talking to and just kept walking, scrambling and climbing up. Your guide will know Tower Ridge, Ben Nevis's North Face and its other routes well and will also be able to give you insight into the flora, fauna and geology. I really did! As a route I have always wanted to do, it was very satisfying to have it all to ourselves in good weather! I am still on a high from doing this, so glad we did. At the next steep section, the G-Force again decided to use ropes. Registration is quick and completely free. Sun near the end of the ridge. – G-Force confessed that although it was stupidly scary standing on the 60m high ledge of the Clydebank crane, near Glasgow, he might want to do it again “just to see if I enjoy the sensation of rushing through the air and feeling as though I might die”. This ridge is a lot about mind games and it helped to be belayed by rope and harness. The G-Force decided that although this is an easy grade 2 climb, he would rope us up to make us feel more confident. I’m a widely published journalist, a knowledgeable and engaging web copywriter and a professional blogger. The biggest mistake made on curved ridge is not getting on to it in the first place! I just don’t look down, always ahead, forwards or at the horizon. To be honest, the ridge is narrow and so there is little you can do than follow the line of all other climbers. Very nervous on Curved Ridge Panic surged through me and I couldn’t believe I’d agreed to do this route when I hate heights. I work, write and play about Scotland's great outdoors. Dave Brown and myself simulclimbing on Curved Ridge, Buachaille Etive Mor. A few inches of snow lay around the summit cairn giving it a wintry feel. The final section of the ridge should have felt much easier but I was tired and feeling very exposed. 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. If only it were twice as long. This has worked for me. Curved Ridge 300m II/III,3*** (but can attain grade III after heavy snowfall) First ascent: G.T. Perfect for 8000m or Polar trips. Easy and enjoyable. What else could I have done really? I didn’t cry but I felt close to tears when I saw that chimney up ahead. He’d always wanted me to do this route and I thought it would be a good challenge. The move is enclosed in a corner so didn't feel too exposed. There are not many times that i … Photo by Al Halewood. But then I realised that I wouldn’t have pushed my limits at all. With the help of a guidebook photograph, identifying Curved Ridge from the road is fairly straightforward. Scrambling up Curved Ridge is one of them, achievable by most people of reasonable fitness and with a good head for heights – and the right knowledge and skills or a good guide. 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. I was feeling properly scared and I just kept saying to myself: “Let’s get this over with.”. Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor. Students on a Mountaineering Scotland course get roped up for a section of the classic scramble up Curved Ridge. Curved Ridge scramble. Today i was on Curved ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe. This scrambling was some of the easiest of the route but I still felt scared! 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. The crux corner and view from the top after ascent. Abseiling from a scrambling route. The ridge requires commitment, without much in the way of escape options. 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. Glover and R.G. Though a little overshadowed by more illustrious neighbours such as Curved Ridge and North Buttress, the under-sung Broad Buttress has the cachet and quality of a … We started our day working on Curved Ridge. “Just look up. It made my stomach lurch and my palms sweat. It was incredible witnessing the athletes flying past up the ridge. 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. A Y-shaped curved cartilaginous ridge arising from the antitragus and separating the concha, triangular fossa, and scapha. Thanks to Robin for taking my camera and getting some great shots, see the ClimbNow Facebook page for more photos. The climbing was never hard, entertaining throughout and on ribs of excellent rock. We roped up again for the chimney section. The first steep rise of Curved Ridge has a horrible deep gully to its right. Snowy conditions. The tourist trail path  is almost the opposite extreme of the Ridge. Just minutes later, however, and the brave – or bonkers? The climbing itself isn’t technical. I could hear the encouraging words of the G-Force up ahead and there were other climbers al around just doing their thing. A cruck or crook frame is a curved timber, one of a pair, which support the roof of a building, historically used in England.This type of timber framing consists of long, generally naturally curved, timber members that lean inwards and form the ridge of the roof. The G-Force kept saying how proud he was of me. I’ve no idea. All around me were other climbers smiling and chatting but I just stayed silent. The G-Force said he would do this instead. 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. for all sorts of things including Aonach Eagach and Curved Ridge, they were awesomely sure footed. The rope only came out for the steep crux pitch on the upper ridge. 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. View south from the summit of Crowberry Tower across Glen Etive to Stob Ghabar in the background on the left and Stob Coir' an Albannaich on the right. I hope you enjoy my collection of news, ideas and inspiring stories on this website. My mind and body very much needed to feel safe on the summit and 10 minutes later that is where I found myself. “I’m not entirely sure I’d recommend that,” he said with a shocked grin on his face. It made me feel sick to the core of my stomach just to see them climbing up that route! We climbed Curved Ridge up to the summit of Stob Dearg on Buachaille Etive Mor before descending via Coire na Tulaich. 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. Then, up ahead, I suddenly glimpsed a significantly steeper rise in the ridge, with a deep gully/chimney to its right. There was no way down and so I knew I was going to have to get on with it. A friend's selling a pair of nearly new Boreal G1 Expedition boots.Size 11.5 which fit a UK 10 - typical Boreal sizing! Weather in the glen: 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). Monday, January 20, 2014. They are advertorial, although I still monitor the content to ensure it is of a good standard. For some reason we went right! We finished the day in the bar as usual, with whisky and hot chocolate making a fine end to the adventure. Gaining the Crowberry Tower. 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. Robin from Sweden was super psyched for some good climbing but soon realised it was very conditions dependant so we had to drop a few grades and seek some snow. The day before we’d completed some scrambley sections without too much hassle on the Ballachulish Horseshoe. Mountaineering Scotland Participation Statement. The morning was dry and wind free, so everybody enjoyed climbing dry crux sections in a relaxed manner. This enabled us to move efficiently up the ridge, sticking to the summer line all the way. It’s a grade two/three scramble in summer. Click to read about Buachaille Etive Mor crag (Highland). Any views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views on this website. 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. The ridge itself was in fantastic nick, with good, consolidated snow where needed, a nice firm track all the way, and all the belays dug out, most of which were good spikes. The dry rock makes this much easier than if they were wet. 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. 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. How it's done. And on our return to Glasgow, it was the G-Force’s turn to feel very afraid. Just keep going. You might also like to find out how I can work with you. High cloud base but ragged lower cloud in places. The walk into the base of the ridge gives little clue to the actual climb. Occasional clear spells. The companies and brands receive no guarantee of endorsement. Curved ridge is shown and can be compared to a closer photo of the NE face. Nearly bought a pair of approach/scrambling shoes as I have been converted to their usefulness. No snow on the steep routes so a ridge delivered. 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. As Smiler and I sat there being sorted into our harnesses by When-I-Lived-in-NZ, the G-Force nimbly climbed to a high point and made an anchor. Winter Mountaineering – a tale to make you laugh. Where is the best place to buy property in Turkey? It’s an inspiring mountain cliff and I think Curved Ridge was an ideal initial venture onto this side of the mountain. And then again we reached an easier climb and I relaxed again. Unregistered users can only view full size photos that have been added this month. Photo gallery: curved ridge at Buachaille Etive Mor. These posts are then generally secured by a horizontal beam which then forms an "A" shape. The morning of Sunday the 23rd of September had promised to be a fantastic one. It’s an easy route that winds down the mountainside. Clear and sunny yesterday, with scattered showers and a few inches of melting snow on the highest Lochaber summits. 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. Cuillin Ridge. Snow bollard practice into Coire na-tuillach. Your email address will not be published. The rock architecture and scenery all around was more impressive than I would have believed. 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. Well, not in the foreseeable future anyway. But I’ve never felt comfortable with heights and I’d been told the ridge was pretty exposed. Maybe it was exhaustion after the adrenaline charged climb? 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