UKC

Looking to do Curved Ridge on Buchaille Etive Mor next week (Weather dependant) and looking for some details.

Just wondering if there's need to take kit such as Rope, slings etc?
And also best guidebook for description and topos?

Very competent climber and walker but never done a proper mountain scramble.

Cheers,

Richy

In reply to Richy boy:

Get a route description from the web, it's confusing getting to the right start point but it's essential. You don't want to end up on the ridge to the left which is a different proposition altogether. Curved ridge is the one nearest the imposing Rannoch Wall. The holds are fantastic huge jugs, but the exposure is daunting. Taking the ridge line is the best, though you might be tempted to scrabble about in the gulley to the right. There's no point taking ropes and slings unless you are actually going to pitch it.

In reply to Richy boy:

Both the SMC Glen Coe climbing guide and the Cicerone Scrambles in Lochaber book have descriptions and useful diagrams to help you locate the start.

In reply to Richy boy: If you aren't used to mountain routes then routefinding may be one of your biggest challenges. The description in Lochaber Scrambles is good. When you've turned up at the end of the traverse path from Lagangarbh, heading up the screes on the final approach, aim for a small stand of rowan saplings and head right (path and [polish to follow) and up and right and up underneath them. After that you will see the Ridge curving around Rannoch Wall above you (assuming you've chosen to do it in good vis which i'd thoroughly recommend).
Its a couple of short sections of moderate interspersed with easier walking/scrambling. If you need to pitch that then a rope and rack with a mix of maybe 4 slings and long extenders and half a dozen nuts should be plenty.
If you aren't used to mountain routes be prepared for sections of scree and some loose rock (although in general CR is so well travelled that by the 'guidebook line' it is fairly solid) and of course the attendant issues of weather, wet rock and navigation down from the summit.
Enjoy, its a grand day oot.

In reply to Richy boy: Cheers for all the info guys, much appreciated.

Fairly happy with route finding and navigation etc. Have done a fair few mountain routes in north Wales, rock climbing routes that is but never any scrambling.

Cheers,

Richy.

In reply to Richy boy:
If your a competent climber you'll have no bother with the technicality of it. Don't be tempted by the gully to the right - its bloody horrible, loose and prob more dangerous than the ridge because of it! At the top of the ridge, don't follow the continuation of the gully (the obvious way) as its scree horribleness - walk up to the wee col between the crowberry tower and the mountain proper and scramble up there - much better, more solid and tops you out right by the summit.

On the approach, as you come to the top of the screes you'll see a tree, bear right at the tree and cross a watercourse / drainage line and head up from there. you'll see the unmistakable rannoch wall above you and curved ridge to its left.

If you head up past the tree you'll end up on D gully buttress which is about severe if climbed directly. you wouldn't be the first!

up to yourself whether to carry ropes / rack etc. I wouldn't as its technically really straight forward for a climber. I've been up with folk climbing no harder than vdiff who didn't have a problem scrambling up it.

Cheers,

Stu

In reply to Richy boy: Cheers for all the info guys. Really appreciate it. Managed to do the route today. Used the cicerone guide and combined with a map it is pretty straight forward to locate.
Also, roped the crux just as I was with a non scrambler/climber. The whole route is pretty straight forward and the use of a rope is not needed in summer conditions. Very nice route and would be a good adventure in winter conditions, one day...

Thanks again,

Richy.

In reply to Richy boy:


That's a generalization, for some people it very definitely is.

In reply to Jamie B:

Perhaps, but at least the guy had the good manners to return and say how he got on !

In reply to Richy boy:

The local Hillwalking & Ramblers clubs do it, no ropes, slings.