Carlisle Mountaineering Club Meet: 27th March 2011

Snow spattered 3000 ft peaks falling in to shimmering sea lochs, rough, untamed crags, Red Deer. Despite some inconsiderate parking and the odd drunken camper this must be one of the most stunning places in the world.


We negotiated the easiest route on the Etive Slabs, Spartan Slab (VS 4c). Half of the party decided to call it a day as we qued up for the crux, due to a shortage of time, and abseiled off. A wise decision as Ray and I, who were the last to finish the route, raced the wall of rain we could anxiously see approaching from Glen Coe.


Despite a tricky decent from the top of the climb, a brisk yomp back to the van left us feeling pleasantly tired and satisfied with a magnificent route in an even more magnificent setting.

Carlisle Mountaineering Club Meet: 26th March 2011

As other members of the club headed for the North Face of The Ben to catch the last of the ice at the unenviable time of 3.30am, we enjoyed a more civilized start time of 6.30am and a relaxed traverse of the Aonach Eagach. Conditions were calm and the cloud hung just below the tops, allowing us views of Stob Coire nan Lochan and of the Mamores beyond Loch Leven to the North.

As we progressed the secretly intricate nature of this ridge accompanied by swirling mist and sleet made the route finding interesting. On several occasions we were confronted with the decision between polished rock and wet turf-filled gullies. A rack and rope were carried, but not used. Reduced visibility on the final summit of Sgurr Nam Fianniadh gave us the opportunity for navigation practice on the descent to Glen Coe Cottages for food and sleep.