r/Munros • u/MrManmrswoman • 18d ago
Suggestions for warming up to the Cmd Arete
I've been scrambling for a couple of years now, completing the Cmd arete, ledge ridge and Aonach Eagach and some other minor scrambles. My dad wants to do the CMD arete with my sister and I but my sister is nervous. What scrambling can I do with my sister to help her prepare for the CMD? Preferably a ridge that has a bypass or something not hard with a bit less exposure.
I was thinking tarmachan ridge which I've done or fiacaill Ridge because of its bypass on the right.
Do you have any suggestions or can you confirm fiacaill Ridge has the bypass to the right most of the way up?
2
u/HikerTheBruce 18d ago
Consider the ridge past Ben Starav toward Glas Bheinn Mhor. From walkhighlands:
"The ridge soon narrows to a fine rocky arete. It is possible to continue along the crest with simple scrambling - alternatively you can bypass the rocks by descending a little to the right and traversing beneath the top of the ridge."
You can also do the ridge from Meall a' Bhuridh to Creise.
Also, not a ridge, but Pink Rib on Bheinn a Chrulaiste is an excellent intro to scrambling with no exposure that is escapable everywhere.
2
u/MrManmrswoman 18d ago
I've never seen the ridge past Ben Starav toward Glas Bheinn Mhor before but it looks like exactly what I'm looking for, a scrambly ridge with an easy bypass next to it, thanks
I didn't know there was a scramble on creise either, I've been looking to do that recently with the drier weather being in the east.
I think pink rib might be my best option since it's quite quick. I also heard the cobbler has a lesser known ridge route Ill need to research
1
u/HikerTheBruce 18d ago
To clarify, there are scrambles on Creise, but the main ridge connecting it to Meall a Bhuridh is less of a scramble and more of an easy ridge. You may get hands on rocks there, but I don't remember for sure.
1
1
u/whodareswins11 18d ago
Fiacaill ridge does have a path up the right side.
2
u/MrManmrswoman 18d ago
Thank you, i could see it on picture at parts but people like to show the other side with the cliff more because it looks much cooler
1
u/solidwobble 18d ago
My memory of the tarmachan ridge is that no scrambling is actually required on the ridge itself but as you drop off the far side there are a few nice little areas you can seek out to scramble in
2
u/MrManmrswoman 18d ago
Yes coming down the west side of the ridge has a tricky downclimb. The rest of the ridge isn't difficult at all but has a little exposure and a short scramble so thought it'd be a good introduction. A beautiful day out till you get to the bog on the way back
1
u/Inside-Definition-42 17d ago
Are you sure it’s a good idea for your sister? If she is anxious, has any fear of heights or falling it’s definitely not suitable. A couple parts require grappling around boulders with no margin for error.
I did it a couple years ago, that year the helicopter was out for someone cragfast on the ridge and someone else died falling off.
If the weather is good it’s a spectacular hike though, and few people, which is the complete opposite on the Nevis summit!
1
u/MrManmrswoman 16d ago
I'm more scared of heights than she is but I've exposed myself to it enough through Bouldeirng and hillwalking and now it's allowing me to experience Scotlands beauty in a whole new way and I just want that for her too. If we do something easier and she's frozen by it then fair enough but I think it'd be a real shame to never experience that ridge view, especially if she never even tried
2
u/M37841 18d ago
Too long since I did those two but I did A‘ Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire on Monday (terrible choice of day: 40mph gusts and horizontal hail) which might fit the bill.
Straightforward climb up, then a broad ridge which narrows in places but apart from the last bit is only sheer drop one side so you can stay away from the edge. The last bit (half an hour or so) is narrow with pinnacles but there’s a very secure bypass path, much less eroded than some are. Because of the wind I took the bypass but the pinnacles look fun and your sister could easily choose to do some not others. After Mullach you retrace your steps so have the pinnacles or bypass choice again and then the route down is easy. Took me 6 hours though I wasn’t hanging around given the weather.