Rannoch Wall...

Darren ready for the walk in...

Yesterday (May 9th 2017) myself and Darren headed up to Glencoe in order to find out what the climbing would be like on Buachaille Etive Mors Rannoch wall. With wall to wall sunshine we left the car park and headed towards 'the Buachaille'.

After 7+ days of hot sunshine the walk across the moorland to the base of curved ridge was pleasant and after 1.5 hours or so we were at the base of Rannoch wall. Another two climbers turned up and started on the crag classic that is Agags Groove so myself and Darren opted for January Jigsaw S 4a.

Spot the climbers high up on Rannoch Wall...

Darren took the lead and set off up the 1st pitch. After following Darren up I led off up the 2nd pitch and arrived at the joint belay off Agags and January Jigsaw. Fantastic views all around. After admiring the view Darren climbed the 3rd pitch before I led the final pitch to reach the upper section of Crowberry Ridge. We were soon descending down Curved Ridge and finally arrived back at the base of Rannoch wall.

Darren, 3rd pitch of January Jigsaw...

Once we arrived another group of 4 decided to head up Agags. Rather than hang about and wait for Agags to become free I set off up the 1st pitch of Satans Slit VS 4c. Easy climbing on some utterly crap rock and I finally arrived at the belay. Once Darren arrived at the belay he headed straight off up the 2nd pitch. A better pitch with an airy and atmospheric traverse to arrive at another joint belay ledge with Agags. By now the sun had vanished round the other side of the mountain so we decided to jump the queue of 4 and head direct up the final 2 pitched of Agags Groove. I set off quickly and led the last 2 pitches in one before Darren followed me up and we arrived back on the upper reaches of Crowberry ridge. From here we quickly descended back down Curved ridge to grab our bags and head straight back to the car. A quick splash in the river and we were heading back South along Loch Lomond and homeward bound...