Clachaig Gully path descent on AE?

10k Star

07/07/2012 at 09:59

Would like to hear from anyone who, having completed Aonach Eagach, has used this route in descent?

Is the path as dangerous as it's cracked up to be, esp. in good conditions?

How does it compare in steepness to, say, the upper section of the Watkin Path on Snowdon?

Thanks in advance for your time

Mike Peacock

07/07/2012 at 10:13

I haven't done it due to the dire warnings, but if you want a fast descent then head down direct to the glen from Sgorr nam Fiannaidh. It's steep rocks and scree but does the job rapidly.

AT (http://AyrshireTiger.wordpress.com/)

07/07/2012 at 10:20

Similar to Mike, not done it due to warnings and having been in the Clachaig one evening and seen MR deal with a fatality I'm not likely to. The scree run Mike refers to is doable but given comments you've made in other threads about your nervous and not very fit girlfriend maybe not the best option. Most sensible route is to descend to beallach below the Pap.

GOF

07/07/2012 at 10:37

Out of curiosity I went to have a look at it a few years ago (morning free before returning home...take a dander up it, see how we get, turn round come back down).

Its horrible. Possibilities for error are huge and consequence's of an error are well documented. Given the beallach below the Pap is so close , more comfortable and just downright safer especially when you will be descending tired and ready to make a mistake. google clachaig gully death and you get 165 results.

10k Star

07/07/2012 at 10:47

Thanks for your replies.

Googled an image and it looks pretty steep, in this picture, at least.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1343511

Mikel von Dundeeski

07/07/2012 at 11:59

It is more dangerous for any climbers in the actual gully. There is a lot of scree and loose rock that can be kicked into the gully by a careless walker. In clear weather, there isn't any real danger of falling into the gully, but be careful at the start of the descent, and don't end up descending the gully by mistake.

Guy Hurst

07/07/2012 at 12:01

Came down the Clachaig Gully a good few years ago and even then it was pretty nasty. Perfectly safe if you were careful and prepared to take some time, but unpleasant if you were tired or in a hurry. Easy to get into the mindset of needing to get down fast, too, with a pint in the Clach beckoning.

jimmy ed

03/06/2013 at 22:40

I still get in a cold sweat thinking about descending the Clachaig Gully path.
I was on my own (my friends had gone on ahead and I was meeting them at the Clachaig Inn).
It was a hot, sunny day in June.
I was absolutely knackered and fell loads of times on the scree.
At the time i had no idea of the potential danger of this route.
Not sure how close I was to disaster (wasn't aware of any obvious danger), but after learning of its reputation will never do a walk again without doing the required research first.

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