UK mountain climb where three died turns into 'greased ladder' when it rains

08 August 2023 , 08:35

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The Aonach Eagach ridge is renowned as one of the hardest in the UK (Image: Getty Images)

A mountain in the Scottish Highlands where three missing hikers were found dead is renowned as one of the most difficult routes in Britain and is known to be particularly treacherous when it rains.

The as yet unnamed trio had set out to hike the Aonach Eagach in Glen Coe on the weekend when they disappeared. They were reported missing at 9pm and rescue teams from Police Scotland, the RAF and Glencoe Mountain Rescue team were dispatched to the scene and found their bodies a short time later.

The area includes a six-mile knife-edge ridge which tops out at 3,600 feet and has huge drops. The British Mountaineering Council lists the difficult trek as the "most legendary Grade 2 scramble in Scotland," meaning it doesn't require using a rope for safety but some people would be more comfortable having one.

Its website says: “Whatever measure you use to assess the quality of a scramble - length, exposure, views, or overall adrenal gland-squeezing awesomeness - the castellated crest of rock that looms menacingly above Glen Coe is pretty hard to top.

“Nowhere else on the British mainland will you find a ridge of such narrow yet epic proportions; and when you add in the ease of access and the scenically stellar location, it comes as no surprise this is one of the most bucket-listed mountain days in the country. Unlike other celebrity scrambles - Crib Goch, for example, and Striding Edge - this sky rail scramble requires more than just some basic experience in the hills and a good head for heights.”

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The site adds rain turns Aonach Eagach into a “greased ladder”, suggesting people keep a close eye on the weather forecast.

Mountaineering instructor Alan Halewood, who regularly takes groups across the ridge with his company Climb When You're Ready, added: “You should already be confident moving on Grade 1 ground without a rope before you think about doing Aonach Eagach. I’d also recommend getting a few Grade 2 scrambles under your belt first.

“Liathach makes a better introduction to grade two scrambling because the difficulties are more escapable - unlike the Aonach Eagach, where there’s really just two convenient ways off: the beginning and the end. Some people run across it soloing without thinking twice, but I’ve seen others totally frozen and definitely in need of a rope.

“I often carry a short length of rope on the ridge in case I meet anybody in trouble, and I’d say it’s a good idea to have somebody in your group who is confident with a rope.”

Antony Clements-Thrower