Aonach Eagach

I'm looking for a bit of advice here and wondered if you could help me out.

I've done a little climbing with ropes, though years ago, and have also done around 12 Munros and plenty on Arran.I'm also as fit as hell, (I think!!). However, I'm thinking of doing Aonach Eagach but I'm just a little worried as of what to expect. I don't have ropes, but have found the other Munros basically a glorified jog. Any advice? Should I hire a guide or what? Was thinking of going Wednesday if there is good weather.

Moran taing, Daibhidh.

The Aonach Eagach is only a grade 1/2 scramble in dry conditions so if you pick the right day then you wont need a rope.

As long as your happy with a bit of exposure then its not that much harder than the ridges on Arran.

Excellent day out. Enjoy.

If you have done any easy scrambling and have a head for heights you should manage the AE without too much of a problem.

I have guided clients along the ridge without the use of a rope.

As Survivor says pick the right day and you will find plenty other walkers on the ridge who can help but I doubt if you would need any.

All the best.

I ditto what Survivor says, It's quite straightforward with prehaps some exposed scrambling here and there. East to west, the down climb from the first summit (Am Bodach or something like that) is a bit exposed, but if you happily get down that then there's nothing else that would be a problem to you.

My only addition would be to be sure of your descent route off the last summit at the west end. I suspect this might be the reason for the route having a bit of a reputation. We came down the southern face (back down to the main road) but it's steep grass and you have to negotiate thru some short steep rock outcrops, there is a path of sorts but we didn't spot it until we were well down, then we couldn't reach it due to a deep gourge. There is a safer route off which is over in the 'Pap of Glencoe' direction. I've walked up it in the past and remember thinking that it would be very difficult to locate from the summit in cloud. All the guidebooks discourge a direct descent down the Clachaig gully.

Hope you enjoy it!

Did it a couple of weeks ago and agree with above.Dont rush it and if in doubt wait and assess.I enjoyed it and last summit came off due south i think.Down scree slop to road and not nice.That is preferred way but be careful.Keep away from the gully btw.First bit including the step down i did in rain! just take your time and enjoy!At the pinincles there is a side path but i would avoid it,looked a bit dodgy,over the rock is easier and keeps you away from the edge.Once past that home and dry!

Just out of interest is it any more exposed than devils ridge in the ben nevis area ( i forget the name of the munro). My dad says the AE is one of the most exposed but the comments don't make it sound to bad. Also which are worse cullins or AE???
thanks lots

More exposed than the devils ridge? Probably and more scrambling , which the devils ridge only has a tiny bit of.
Worse? In what way? Exposure wise? The cuillins are a big place, there are bits that aren't exposed or that scrambly at all (easy route up bruach na frithe) and other bits that are very exposed (Collie's ledge on Sgurr mhic connich, ridge out to sgurr dubh mor, greadhaidh - mhaidhaidh), the AE is less rocky.

Stu, You're thinking of the Ring of Steall in the Mamores and the AE is more difficult by quite a bit.

thanks all

Did it a few years ago. Although I had done some climbing, my friends hadn't. We all managed ok. You 'just' need a head for heights, technically its not too bad.