Scottish scrambling in awesome surroundings in our latest route.
|
A'Chailleach, Glencoe -
Scotland
|
|
Grade: 1-3 (depending onvolume of
water)
|
|
A'Chailleach makes an ideal approach
for those wanting a warm up for the Aonach Eagach, or a
stand-alone afternoon scramble.
|
|
Equipment: Rope and slings
optional.
|
|
Online Map link
|
|
Views: 4
Technicality: 3
Exposure: 2
|
|
GIBBER FACTOR* 3
*out of
five.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overview A'Chailleach makes an ideal approach for those wanting a
warm up for the Aonach Eagach or alternatively as an entertaining,
stand-alone afternoon scramble.
With Glencoe as a backdrop you're never short of views, and for
those who prefer to minimise the exposure there's an escape route at
just the right spot.
Glencoe viewed from the Old Road - PEK
Approach The best start is from the lay-by where the old road
meets the main road, just below The Study. Walk a few yards up the
old road, then head uphill towards the small building. Beyond lies
the main crag, easily identified by the orange band that divides the
lower and upper sections.
The Aonach Eagach ridge - Giles
Thurston
Route The lower, grade 1, section has no clearly defined
route, but strings together a mix of ledges, slabs and crags as you
ascend the left hand side of the face.
At the top of the lower section, with the orange rhyolite band
ahead, you can traverse left and descend back to the Glen. For those
continuing take the right hand of three chimneys that divide the
upper face on good holds.
Classic views back down into Glencoe from the AE - John
Landale
The exposure is noticeable here but you soon reach a ledge with a
prominent boulder. Go past the boulder to an obvious crack and climb
the final rock to reach easier ground.
Ahead lies the main ridge to Sron Garbh and the Aonach Eogach
Descent The best continuation is to traverse the ridge to Sron
Garbh and Am Bodach, from where you can choose a descent into Glencoe
or the full Aonach Eogach traverse. You can, alternatively, descend
to the glen from the top of the scramble.
Caution Scrambling is potentially
dangerous and, particularly at the higher grades, requires technical
skills and equipment to minimise the risk. We suggest that you take
professional instruction or climb with an experienced
partner.
