Great Herdsman of Etive...

Myself watching some climbers on Rannoch Wall...

Its roughly 11am. Guidebook in one hand, map in the other and head raised looking up at the huge North-East face of Buchaille Etive Mor. Its been planned for days now that Leo and myself will ascend the face via Curved Ridge to reach the summit of Stob Dearg and bag another Munro. We set off and make our way up the steep but juggy ridge and cross below Rannoch Wall. Once we are below Rannoch Wall we take the opportunity to have a quick drink break and watch the climbers ascend the many classic climbing routes on the face.

Leo negotiating the crux of Curved  Ridge...

We set off again and negotiate a few 'bad steps' until we reach the 'crux'. The technically hardest part of the route. The crux of Curved Ridge is a graded 3 scramble in an open groove of rock. Not hard by climbing standards but more of a head climb as the exposure is surreal. We decide to rope the crux with myself leading and Leo being belayed from the top.

Once above the crux we make good progress and finally arrive at crowberry tower where we grab some lunch and scope the rest of the route which leads to the summit. Soon after lunch we ascend the remaining section behind crowberry tower and arrive at the summit. Double figures with Munro number 10 now in the bag! We have a handful of jelly babies (essential hill food) and set off and follow the ridge along to the saddle where the descent path now forks down to the right. However, why descend so soon when you can follow the rest of the ridge and summit another Munro? No option really. The ridge is followed and after scaling 2 subsidiary peaks the second Munro of Stob na Broige is reached and Munro number 11 added to the bag.

The ridge of Buchaille Etive Mor as seen from Stob na Doire...

The descent path down to the Lairig Gartain is a loose path which gradually eases before following the river Coupall all the way back to the car park.

Mapped image of today's mountain route... 

All in all another quality mountain day in the bag. A route I highly recommend.