Check out our Membership Benefits – and join us today! Copy link. The central section, some 2 km in length, is very rocky and the route along it requires scrambling ability. sorry for the late reply, been very busy this year! From here a track heads down the hillside, ending on the road just outside Glencoe village. there is a sign at the entrance near the beach carpark and footpath up the mountain in Glen Brittle .It explains that from there is mountainous and can be dangerous and to make sure you have experience and equipment so you wont need assistance to get back. The whole article seems to lead up to a suggestion that people pay money to go on courses organized by...the body behind the article. I wasn’t exactly keen but had recently done Striding and Swirral Edge on Helvellyn. That was the Aonach Eagach over but everyone knows it's the descent when most accidents happen and we couldn't relax yet the Clachaig is still some distance away. Man, traversing Aonach Eagach E to W slipped at the pinnacled section of the ridge and fell down S side for 200m. The pair, from Arlington, Virginia, were climbing the Aonach Eagach ridge on Saturday. Members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team were called out. I had read ages ago about the gulley down to the Clachaig, several people had different opinions on it. It is rated as Grade 2 scramble. Five people have died on Half Dome in the past nine years alone, and most of those accidents happened when the rock was wet. Lying on the West Highland Way it’s another popular biking and hiking route; later in the year I might be seeing this track a couple more times on my bike… it was good to … Approach . --Douglas Adams, Images What struck me most about the article was just how few MRT call-outs there have been over the surveyed period 2004-2008 - 101 call-outs to the Tourist Track on Ben Nevis. The Aonach Eagach ridge is located in Glen Coe, which is in western Scotland and forms part of the Scottish Highlands. We need to look at ways to keep the site moving forward whilst maintaining our key aim of allowing free access to everyone to our main content. Realistically, the answer has to be a resounding NO. Bumbling Along Aonach Eagach: The UK's Narrowest Ridge. This again reflects the popularity of these locations. There are plenty of other places in Glencoe, due to the nature of the steep terrain where an accident could occur. The Aonach Eagach is a rocky ridge lying to the north of Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands, boasting two Munro summits. Start from the car park on the A82 at NN 17333 56746 . Personally, I think that's a lesson worth learning. "It was just an accident," he added. Heather Morning - MCofS© Mick Ryan About The Mountaineering Council of Scotland Please help UKClimbing continue to provide varied and free content by becoming an official UKC Supporter. Aonach Eagach. A series of large well constructed cairns guide folk to and from the summit, around the top of Gardyloo Gully and past the potentially dangerous ground of Five Finger Gully. Spot the climber, a tad flooded Clachaig Gully© jimorothy, May 2009 Four incidents and two fatalities this summer, on or close to the Clachaig Gully path at the western end of the Aonach Eagach prompted me to consider the thorny issue of accident 'black spots'. How does it compare with Crib Goch in terms of difficulty, exposure and danger? The first recorded incident on Sharp Edge was in January 1961, to a young man who had slipped and fallen 100' and sustained a fatal head injury. Aonach Eagach Ridge...it does what it says on the tin! North Side. In length the full ridge continues for 10 km from the Pap of Glencoe at the west to the eastern end at the Devil's Staircase. Aonach Eagach is a grade 2 scrambling route. Last winter following a spate of ten accidents in just over a week, Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, in conjunction with the local police, displayed warning signs at the main access points onto the high fells in Langdale. Are there places we should avoid in the mountains? If all works out I might be doing the ridge in winter conditions over the next few months – watch this space! There are plenty of other places in Glencoe, due to the nature of the steep terrain where an accident could occur. This was more to do with the amount of reviews I had scanned regards the AE ridge, and warnings about underfoot safety in the wet, than anything else. There are literally hundreds of folk on a good day walking into Coire an't Sneachda and Coire an Lochain to enjoy the winter mountaineering and climbing which is so accessible from the road. View A Close run thing on the Aonach Eagach Image Gallery - 5 Images. All Rights Reserved. Moreover, exploring the driving analogy would have us being first licensed before venturing out and then having to be qualified before venturing out alone. the down side of the story is that Dad contracted cellulitius and the trip to Skye had to be cancelled. Erik makes the very sensible point that accidents will happen to climbers, walkers and general punters. Take the tourist track up Ben Nevis, due to the Ben's iconic accolade of being the highest mountain in the UK it attracts huge numbers of people. a number of points. Does that then put the tourist track at the top of the 'black spot' league tables? You might pin her picture on your wall and dream hazily about meeting her one day, but the prospect of getting up close and personal is woefully remote. By the law of averages the more people there are, the more accidents are going to happen. Saturday's inaugural Salomon Glen Coe Skyline race went down a storm with competitors and the many spectators who came to offer support. Body recovered by Glencoe MRT. Founded in 1970 by the Association of Scottish Climbing Clubs, The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is THE only recognised representative organisation for mountain walkers and climbers who live in Scotland or who enjoy Scotland's mountains. They can catch out the experienced and the inexperienced - different people will be caught out by different things. The driving analogy is nonsense. Some saying it's dangerous and should be avoided (deaths have happened), while others think there is nothing wrong with it. Longs Peak, Colorado ( Photo: John Fowler /Flickr) However, when Heather postulates; “You wouldn't think it was acceptable to jump in a car and drive without having some professional instruction first. Current courses on offer can be viewed at www.mcofs.org.uk In conclusion, I would suggest that it is not the mountains that are the killer. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland, the body which represents the interests of Scottish climbers and hill walkers, promotes the importance of self-reliance in the mountains. Watch later. I’ve done the Aonach Eagach four times, the last time being 2008 when most of these images were taken. did the Aonach Eagach by accident - with DMS: Veebee: 18/10/2015: Weather fair. MountainMac: 29/09/2015: From Glencoe village East West traverse of Aonach Eagach. rhalstead: 22/09/2015 : With Harrison John Ian and Anne (E to W) mproudfoot: 19/09/2015: Traverse of the Aonach Eagach. With Gavin. MorecambeMonkey: 07/09/2015: Ascended to Am Bodach from … The Aonach Eagach is a rocky ridge lying to the north of Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands, boasting two Munro summits. In length the full ridge continues for 10 km from the Pap of Glencoe at the west to the eastern end at the Devil's Staircase. Police Scotland said it was alerted to the incident about 1.20pm by members of the public. I did Crib Goch last easter, after the aonach eagach and found it easier and less exposed. However, once committed to the travers, there is basically no way off other than to complete it or turn back. After the soaking I had received on my last two ridge walks, yesterday and Friday, I was hoping for something a little drier today. There are plenty of other places in Glencoe, due to the nature of the steep terrain where an accident could occur. All rights reserved. If you have enjoyed this post, why not share it in Facebook, twitter, etc. Scrambling the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe is high on many people's 'tick list'. It is folk with inadequate experience and equipment who are exposing themselves to a greater level of risk. Not all mountain accidents involve mountaineers, some involve general tourists. That's not meant to sound complacent, but the impression sometimes given is that the general public are somehow at huge risk every time they step onto a hill. "I love deadlines. In reality, many people obtain a provisional licence and are then accompanied by a qualified driver, not a professional instructor. This again reflects the popularity of these locations. Starting up the Devils Staircase I was busy scoping out this track into the hills. Mountain literature such as The Munros should be updated to highlight seasonal specific blackspots/dangers eg Coire Tulaich and suggest alternative routes of ascent and descent for winter conditions. The central section, some 2 km in length, is very rocky and the route along it requires scrambling ability. I suspect many of us head into the mountains to get away from our increasingly litigious and sanitised world. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." Considerable care should be taken'. We go there to challenge ourselves, both physically and mentally; to make very real decisions that have very real consequences. For this reason, it’s quite a serious undertaking. Within the mountaineering context, we could sensibly replace qualified by suitably experienced, in line with the HSE definition of competence. Do we want to see a 'Via Ferrata' rigged across the pinnacles on the Aonach Eagach? This can be in a small way or in a larger package that includes discounted products from our sister-publishing company Rockfax. Brian Bathurst of the team said Mr Thompson, who was wearing fellrunning gear, is believed to have fallen between 20m and 30m after … The unfortunate fact is that hills can be dangerous. Aye he was fine in the end! A GLASGOW policeman was killed in a freak hillwalking accident in Glencoe yesterday afternoon on a path between the two Munro peaks on the Aonach Eagach ridge. Compare this, to the press coverage of road traffic fatalities that occur on the UK roads every day. Images . The site will continue to be mainly funded by a subtle level of outdoor-only advertising but we now need extra support to ensure we can continue to provide the UKC that we all know and love. The central section, some 2 km in length, is very rocky and the route along it requires scrambling ability. Route Map. It's the people who are on the path that causes the problem – this may be poor fitness levels, pre-disposed medical conditions, inadequate clothing and equipment, lack of navigation skills and poor general 'hill sense'. Famed as the narrowest ridge on the British mainland (though Liathach and An Teallach must run it close), the Aonach Eagach gives a thrilling and spectacular traverse for keen scramblers, linking the … Some readers will also remember the warning sign located at the Am Bodach lay-by at the eastern end of the ridge, warning climbers not to consider descending off the ridge prior to the final summit of Sgorr nam Fiannaidh. The Clachaig gully descent off the Aonach Eagach has historically been a well known hazard. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. (2). In the five years from 2004 – 2008 there were 32 incidents of the Aonach Eagach closely followed by 29 incidents on the Buachaille. The signs warned hill walkers of 'snow and ice on all upland paths above 300m'. I love the Gaelic translations of Scottish mountains! Show your support UKC Supporter badge on your profile and forum posts. So it was back to school on Monday morning with another war story to tell. The Aonach Eagach is a rocky ridge lying to the north of Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands, boasting two Munro summits. Should venturing into the mountains be any different?” I find I cannot agree with the analogy. A look through Scottish Mountain Rescue statistics reveals the most common accident ‘blackspots’. With over 100 incidents and 11 fatalities since then, Sharp Edge is a continuing major responsibility for the members of Keswick MRT. Scrambling the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe is one of the classic mountain scrambling days in Scotland. You are quite a liberty to drive off-road without a licence, as you should be free to go walking or climbing without a licence. Research into the Scottish Mountain Rescue statistics reveals the accident hotspots. Additional safety measures should include more visual and audio warnings of possible dangers'. Would it make a difference? That's 20 or so per year. A gentler alternative is to continue along the ridge, until reaching the bealach between Sgorr nam Fiannaidh and the Pap of Glencoe. 1 – (NN 17333 56746) Follow the path out of the car park up the hillside keeping up a good pace to escape the bite of wee beasties. Agreed, it may not be the best way to learn but it is widely accepted. p.s. In the five years from 2004 – 2008 there were 32 incidents of the Aonach Eagach closely followed by 29 incidents on the Buachaille. How about a line of cairns guiding folks down the south side of the ridge towards Loch Achtriochtan or north towards the Pap? I consider myself to be a fervent advocate of promoting safety in the mountains through education and increasing public awareness. Should venturing into the mountains be any different? William Poucher in his book 'The Scottish Peaks', first published in 1964, describes the Clachaig Gully descent off the ridge - 'It is also possible to descend a steep, stony path following the west side of the Clachaig Gully. Just don't complain if you hurt yourself. Tap to unmute. Skills Calling in … Shopping. Muriel Gray tackles the Aonach Eagach ridge, taking in the Munros, Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh. (5), Comments Whether we like it or not, accidents in the mountains create emotive responses. The technically difficult sections are few in number and very short-lived. The press love to get hold of a mountain rescue story – the avalanche incident (resulting in three fatalities) in Coire an Tulaich on Buachaille Etive Mor last winter resulted in a huge amount of press coverage. Or is there a bigger picture to consider here? Heading east to the Cairngorms, the Northern Corries in winter have to be the classic 'black spot' hotspot. You wouldn't think it was acceptable to jump in a car and drive without having some professional instruction first. Driving tests are to prevent people killing other road users, not themselves. UKClimbing is a vibrant web site with rich content and an amazing community. However despite the warnings, the rescue team continued to get called out to recover folk stuck on steep frozen ground. Despite misgivings from some quaters the event ran smoothly. The Aonach Eagach and Buachaille Etive Mor not surprisingly coming out on top. admit he had mentioned the Aonach Eagach ridge a few times, and much as I didn’t know too much about it, I had been to the funeral of a man who had fallen to his death from it. Conditions were good and they were said to be well equipped. Up Next. Would anyone, other than the press and the ‘nanny state’, want to see that? The Aonach Eagach (Scottish Gaelic ... (fatal accidents have occurred here). Famed as the narrowest ridge on the British mainland (though Liathach and An Teallach must run it close), the Aonach Eagach gives a thrilling and spectacular traverse for keen scramblers, linking the … The second of the two challenging scrambles on the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline race route, Aonach Eagach.It was incredible!!! ! Apart from the little 'accident' the aonach eagach proved a spectacular scramble and well worth while the drive there (and back). Should a list be published and reviewed regularly of locations where accidents are occurring? Other challengers are the Aonach Eagach and Coire na Tulaich on Buachaille Etive Mor in Glen Coe, the Cuillin of Skye and the Goat Track in Coire an t-Sneachda in the Cairngorms. In length the full ridge continues for 10 km from the Pap of Glencoe at the west to the eastern end at the Devil's Staircase. The Mountain Rescue Statistics also reveal the accident 'black spot' hotspots in Glencoe. The Aonach Eagach walk links two munros and translates in Gaelic as: Upland – Rocky peak of Fian’s warriors. For many Ben Nevis ascensionists it may even be their one and only mountain climb! The first of these is the famous Grade 2 scramble of the Aonach Eagach ridge. That makes it the highest number of call outs to one specific location in Scotland. Unlike other celebrity scrambles - Crib Goch, for example, and Striding Edge - this sky rail scramble requires more than just some basic … Share. 'In the Coroner's opinion, action should be taken to prevent the occurrence or continuation of such circumstances, or to eliminate or reduce the risk of death created by such circumstances. This again reflects the popularity of these locations. Info. © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. For me, only the Cuillin Ridge on Skye can beat it. Erik also makes the sensible suggestion that books and other forms of guidance should direct readers away from known danger spots. I am not sure if visual and audio warnings are appropriate or effective. The Northern Corries alone accounted for 38 call outs for the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue team in the same five year period. Access to a year's subscription to Rockfax Digital. So far, all we've asked of you is that you visit and interact with the site but we are in uncertain times. If you're on holiday in Fort William and you've got, for example, Chris Townsend's book on walks in Lochaber as well as the appropriate map, are you really also going to look for an internet cafe to find whether your chosen routes have any danger spots? Do folk read them and if they do read them are they acted upon? A considerable amount of money has been spent on the summit of Ben Nevis to do just that. If you appreciate UKClimbing then please help us by becoming a UKC Supporter. You can help us by becoming a UKC Supporter. We are also the national governing body for sport climbing and represent climbers who use indoor walls as their venue. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. The Aonach Eagach is widely regarded as being the finest ridge walk on the UK mainland. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. In the five years from 2004 to 2008 there were 32 incidents on the Aonach Eagach closely followed by 29 incidents on the Buachaille. Sgor nam Fiannaidh The Aonach Eagach above the A82, looking up Glen Coe Elevation 967 m (3,173 ft) For a large swathe of the hill walking world, Aonach Eagach has all the dazzling unavailability of an A-list celebrity. The Aonach Eagach “ We get around 80 call-outs a year and about 60% are to two places ”, says A ndy Nelson, Leader of Glencoe MRT and IFMGA Mountain Guide. To me, that doesn't sound like a dire problem desperately in need of a solution. Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. Harveys maps often have useful route information, so inclusion of appropriate guidance wouldn't be out of place, but I'm not so sure about OS maps. Many thanks to Bob Sharp for his kind support and information regarding accident statistics. The slopes to each side are extremely dangerous, with steep grass … Check out the UKClimbing Forum and you will see for yourselves the massive interest in this subject – as of the 31st July there had been 7859 hits on the Clachaig gully issue alone! Is Ben Nevis a KILLER MOUNTAIN? So far, we’ve looked further afield at the likes of Angels Landing in Utah and Mount Huashan in China, but today we’ve decided to stay a little closer home with Aonach Eagach – a thrilling knife-edge ride walk in Scotland. The idea that anyone should be denied access to a hill for want of some kind of licence or instruction is nonsense. ... your Dad wasn't seriously hurt, sounds like a scary place to take a tumble! Aonach Eagach. p.p.s. Mountain Safety Advisor with the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team member and dog handler with SARDA. 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Within the Mountaineering context, we could sensibly replace qualified by suitably,. Scoping out this track into the Scottish Highlands accidents on aonach eagach boasting two Munro summits becoming official... With inadequate experience and equipment who are exposing themselves to a greater level of.! Continued to get away from known danger spots a provisional licence and are then accompanied by a qualified,!