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A guidebook covering the best summer scrambling, rock climbing and winter mountaineering on Scotland's ridges, from the remote Cairngorms to the splendour of the Cuillin. With inspirational photographs, the guidebook is both a celebration of the landscape and a practical route guide.
Cicerone says:
Ridges are epic. Graceful carved walkways slung between summits, twisted spines of stone – these can be the most beautiful of mountain landforms. With elegant lines and giddy exposure, ridge climbs emit a powerful siren call, drawing us out onto the rocks. Life on the edge has a special quality, born of the contrast of empty space all around, and intricate detail in close-up. The crests are strangely irresistible.
Scotland’s ridges are among the finest mountaineering lines in the country, every one a unique adventure. The variety of these routes reflects the breadth of the mountain experience: a rich mix of summer scrambles, technical rock and challenging winter climbs. This book covers both the popular classics and some obscure gems, aiming to celebrate these thrilling climbs as much as to document them. Along the way it explores landscapes of magnificent diversity, ranging from the remote desolation of the Cairngorms to the seaside splendour of the Cuillin, the great trench of Glencoe to the surreal exhibitionism of the far north. The chosen selection spans the grade range, with routes to suit all levels of ability. Whether an earthbound hillwalker or an accomplished climber, Scotland’s ridges cannot fail to stir your imagination.
Our Verdict
For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.
We have used them countless times and they've always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.
If you're a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Seasons: Throughout the year. Suitable in winter only for those with the required fitness and skills
- Centres: Fort William, Kyle of Lochalsh, Aviemore, Gairloch, Lochinver, Arrochar, Cranlarich
- Difficulty: Experienced mountain walkers, scramblers and climbers. Routes to suit all levels of ability. Advanced skills required in winter
- Must See: Ben Nevis, the Aonachs, Glen Coe, the Cobbler, Ben Lui, Mitre Ridge, An Teallach Traverse, Cuillin Main Ridge Traverse
Specifications
- Edition: First
- Number of pages: 256
- Size: 24.0 x 17.0 x 1.8cm
- Weighs 720g
Introduction
Getting there
Accommodation
Sleeping out
Maps
Route descriptions – a note on the text
Grades and difficulty
Grade table
Winter grades
Gear and skills
Seasonal notes
Avalanches
Access
Arran and the Southern Highlands
1 A’Chir traverse
2 Pagoda Ridge, A’Chir
3 South Ridge Direct, Rosa Pinnacle, Cir Mhor
4 Glen Sannox horseshoe
5 Traverse of the South and Centre Peaks, The Cobbler
6 Coire Gaothaich circuit, Ben Lui
Lochaber
7 Sron na Creise, Creise
8 Inglis Clarke Ridge, Creise
9 Curved Ridge, Buachaille Etive Mor
10 Crowberry Ridge via the Rannoch Wall, Buachaille Etive Mor
11 Sron na Lairig, Stob Coire Sgreamhach
12 Dorsal Arete, Stob Coire nan Lochan
13 Aonach Eagach
14 Ring of Steall
15 Castle Ridge, Ben Nevis
16 Ledge Route, Ben Nevis
17 Tower Ridge, Ben Nevis
18 Observatory Ridge, Ben Nevis
19 North East Buttress via Raeburn’s Arete, Ben Nevis
20 Carn Dearg Meadhonach East Ridge and Carn Mor Dearg Arete
21 Golden Oldie, Aonach Mor
22 North East Ridge, Aonach Beag
23 Long and Short Leachas, Ben Alder
The Cairngorms
24 Eagle Ridge, Lochnagar
25 Mitre Ridge, Beinn a’Bhuird
26 Pygmy Ridge and Afterthought Arete, Stob Coire an t-Sneachda
27 Fiacaill Ridge, Cairn Lochan
28 North East Ridge, Angel’s Peak
The North and West
29 Great Ridge, Garbh Bheinn
30 North-north East Ridge, Sgurr Ghiubhsachain
31 Forcan Ridge, The Saddle
32 South Ridge, Mullach Fraoch-choire
33 Cioch Nose, Sgurr a’Chaorachain
34 A’Chioch Ridge, Beinn Bhan
35 Beinn Alligin traverse
36 Liathach traverse
37 Northern Pinnacles of Mullach an Rathain, Liathach
38 Marathon Ridge, Beinn Lair
39 North West Ridge, A’Mhaighdean
40 An Teallach traverse
41 Stac Pollaidh
42 Suilven
Skye and Rum
43 Traverse of the Rum Cuillin
44 Dubhs Ridge
45 The Spur, Sgurr an Fheadain
46 Pinnacle Ridge, Sgurr nan Gillean
47 Clach Glas – Bla Bheinn traverse
48 Cuillin Main Ridge Traverse
Route Summary Table
Appendices
Appendix 1: Further adventures
Appendix 2: Further reading
Appendix 3: Useful contacts
