Curved Ridge

13 August 2022

Almost immediately after returning from a trip to Senja, I was on a plane back to Edinburgh. It was a rather less happy return due to a very last minute change of circumstances. Still, that at least left plenty of time to plan a climbing excursion. Having never done the absolute classic that is Etive Mòr’s Curved Ridge, that was the obvious choice. The neighbouring route if Agag’s Groove was the other prime candidate, but the reputation of Curved Ridge was hard to beat.

Despite being high-summer and with daylight hours hardly a concern, we set off in the early morning. We had gotten a later start for Lochnagar a few months earlier and it just ‘felt wrong’ to be driving up in daylight. Despite the early start, Glen Coe was already swarming with tourists. Unfortunately, tourists weren’t the only pests out and about – in the handful of minutes it took us to switch from driving clothing and repack our bags, we were being constantly assaulted by midges. I had not previously had serious issues with the feared midge but I now completely understand why they are so maligned. Fortunately, both quickly subsided as soon as we began to move up the hill. Not before the midges had left their mark though. Despite the heavy crowds, the early hour meant that we had the ridge largely to ourselves. There was only one other pair on Curved Ridge and a pair on Agag’s Groove.

While not required, Crowberry Tower was definitely the highlight of the day. We chose to ascend via the direct route. Without protection, this was a bit spicy, but well within our tolerances given the knowledge that there was an easier route for descent.

After topping out the first Munro, Stob Dearg, we joined the hillwalker’s track to the tag the other, Stob na Doire. It was still only midmorning at the second Munro, and I was looking to the temptations of Bidean nam Bian. My partner was less inclined though, so we descended into Lairig Gartain and back to the car. We would be home in Edinburgh by 15:00.

A little shorter and easier than expected, but Curved Ridge is fully deserving of classic status. It is criminal that it took me so long to climb it! I regret not taking more advantage of my time in August and getting out for some solo wildcamps. The combination of pests: tourists and midges, was a little much to handle though.

Curved Ridge route map