Guided Traverse of the Aonach Eagach, Glencoe

Incredible day! We had an amazing day on the Aonach Eagach. The weather was perfect but what made the day so stunning was our wonderful guide Sam. What a pleasure to spend the day with him. I can’t thank him enough for his careful guiding of the three of us along the ridge. He was so skilled at knowing when to support, when to leave my daughter... read moreWe had an amazing day on the Aonach Eagach. The weather was perfect but what made the day so stunning was our wonderful guide Sam. What a pleasure to spend the day with him. I can’t thank him enough for his careful guiding of the three of us along the ridge. He was so skilled at knowing when to support, when to leave my daughter to find her own route and when to give us instruction. We learnt so much and all three of us were utterly inspired by the day. Thank you for such a wonderful experience and please pass on to Sam our most heartfelt thanks and gratitude. read less

Experienced guides with a good sense of humour I've had my eye on the Cuillin traverse for some years, but on contacting West Coast Mountain Guides, Ken recommended getting more scrambling experience first, so I booked the Aonach Eagach ridge instead. I always found Ken helpful, knowledgeable and responsive to my queries in the run-up to the route.
Once the day came, I met up with five other clients and two guides, Dave and Mike, which felt like... read moreI've had my eye on the Cuillin traverse for some years, but on contacting West Coast Mountain Guides, Ken recommended getting more scrambling experience first, so I booked the Aonach Eagach ridge instead. I always found Ken helpful, knowledgeable and responsive to my queries in the run-up to the route.
Once the day came, I met up with five other clients and two guides, Dave and Mike, which felt like a manageable ratio. Both guides clearly had tons of experience on that route in particular and in mountaineering generally, which immediately put us ease - several of our group commented afterwards that we found the route less scary than expected thanks to their expertise. Another client and I were reasonably confident on the ridge, so the guides were flexible enough to allow us to go on ahead, while hanging back to give extra reassurance to a fellow client with less experience. Both Dave and Mike also had a good sense of humour, which definitely helped to make for a fun day out.
I would have no hesitation in recommending West Coast Mountain Guides, and hope to use them again in Skye next year! read less

Aonach Eagach ridge - a phenomenal day Aonach Eagach rigde traverse with Dave and Mike as guides. Amazing day - both guides superb, and made the day safe, enjoyable but still challenging and pushed out of our comfort zones. Great chat throughout also. Couldn't recommend highly enough.

Very experienced, brilliant guide! I booked the Aonach Eagach ridge with WCMG without really knowing anything about the company. I was desperate to do the ridge but didn't have the confidence to go it alone. My guide was Scott and he was brilliant. He clearly has a huge (and I mean huge) amount of hiking/climbing/guiding experience in Scotland and beyond. He was great company and very good at explaining to me how to deal... read moreI booked the Aonach Eagach ridge with WCMG without really knowing anything about the company. I was desperate to do the ridge but didn't have the confidence to go it alone. My guide was Scott and he was brilliant. He clearly has a huge (and I mean huge) amount of hiking/climbing/guiding experience in Scotland and beyond. He was great company and very good at explaining to me how to deal with tricky parts on the ridge and using ropes. I felt completely at ease and we hoped along the ridge on a stunning autumn day. So I'm now delighted I've got a go-to company for my next adventure! read less

Aonach Ridge Booked myself and the wife onto the Aonach Eagach route. Do a bit of scrambling but no rope experience hence the booking.
Had first rate correspondence all the way through lockdown and was offered our money back, but we were willing to hold on for this iconic ridge.
It was a wet day, but if Ken had any reservations he certainly didn't let on so didn't make us nervous any more than... read moreBooked myself and the wife onto the Aonach Eagach route. Do a bit of scrambling but no rope experience hence the booking.
Had first rate correspondence all the way through lockdown and was offered our money back, but we were willing to hold on for this iconic ridge.
It was a wet day, but if Ken had any reservations he certainly didn't let on so didn't make us nervous any more than we were.
Ken's confidence was apparent and we were at ease the whole way, even when confronted with the pinnacles .
My wife isn't the best by any means at the climb downs, but Ken was patient whilst I helped coax her feet into the appropriate holds.
We had a great day out and were able to relax and let Ken work out the ways across and down.
We will use West Coast again in the future, especially if going over for the Cuillins. read less

Aonach Eagach Traverse Had a fantastic day out on the Aonach Eagach ridge traverse with Ken guiding. I booked very last minute but found the company to be extremely accommodating of this. It was my first time doing any real scrambling and I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone else. I will definitely be booking further courses with West Coast Mountain Guides, including planning a Skye Cuillin traverse.
The quality of guiding... read moreHad a fantastic day out on the Aonach Eagach ridge traverse with Ken guiding. I booked very last minute but found the company to be extremely accommodating of this. It was my first time doing any real scrambling and I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone else. I will definitely be booking further courses with West Coast Mountain Guides, including planning a Skye Cuillin traverse.
The quality of guiding was excellent from both the side of ensuring everyone’s safety and confidence during the traverse, but also being general good company on the day out. read less

Aonach Eagach Ridge I can’t recommend them enough.
Jon the guide was very knowledgable, professional and also provided a good laugh.
You could ask him anything about the mountains and the Aonach Eagach ridge and you would get an answer.

Aonach Eagach and Curved Ridge delight! First the Aonach Eagach in August 2018 followed a few months later on (June 2019) by the Curved Ridge ascent as a 40th birthday present :)
The AO traverse went perfect! Couldn’t have asked for anything more! Iain’s knowledge of the route was obvious from the outset which helped me calm my nerves a little bit (couldn’t sleep the night before from the adrenaline coupled up with my worry that I’ll... read moreFirst the Aonach Eagach in August 2018 followed a few months later on (June 2019) by the Curved Ridge ascent as a 40th birthday present :)
The AO traverse went perfect! Couldn’t have asked for anything more! Iain’s knowledge of the route was obvious from the outset which helped me calm my nerves a little bit (couldn’t sleep the night before from the adrenaline coupled up with my worry that I’ll either slow down the party or put anyone in jeopardy - the common worries before you are about to take on a new challenge kind of thing).
I was looking to do things outside my comfort zone and the guided traverse of the AO with Iain did just that. Iain’s patience coupled up with a pace suited for the group was a welcoming comfort for me and I’m sure the other two guys (Scot and Ian) would agree with that. All in, an awesome experience which was a few months later on replicated by the ascent of the Curved Ridge on the Buachaille Etive Mor with Ken himself as a guide. What a fun and exhilarating day from start to finish! Once again, the route knowledge and professionalism stood out from the outset which helped to calm the nerves and helped us to get into "the zone" and allowed us to enjoy the beauty of the big Big Bookle :)
Thank you WCMG, Skye next year!! ;) More read less

Aonach Eagach Ridge Just completed the Aonach Eagach Ridge with Gillian, our West Coast Guide for the day. We had a great day and despite 4 seasons in one day weather we still had some fantastic views over the Aonach Eagach Ridge.
Thanks to Gillian for all her knowledge, technical skills and great chat.
Will definitely recommend West Coast Mountain Guides and would definitely use them again.

Amazing Lochaber scrambling weekend Have just returned from three days scrambling with West Coast Mountain Guides. Ken guided three completely novice scramblers on some of the best routes in the area including Aonach Eagach Ridge, Ben Nevis (Castle ridge) and Buachaille Etive Mor (Curved Ridge). It was an incredible experience. We were all impressed by Ken's knowledge and professionalism and always felt safe throughout the experience. Importantly, he was also good company on the... read moreHave just returned from three days scrambling with West Coast Mountain Guides. Ken guided three completely novice scramblers on some of the best routes in the area including Aonach Eagach Ridge, Ben Nevis (Castle ridge) and Buachaille Etive Mor (Curved Ridge). It was an incredible experience. We were all impressed by Ken's knowledge and professionalism and always felt safe throughout the experience. Importantly, he was also good company on the mountains. We all left wanting to experience more scrambling and climbing in the future. I'm very happy to recommend West Coast Mountain guides. read less

The Cuillin and the In Pin without waterproofs OK, I can't credit West Coast with arranging four days of brilliant weather but everything else they did was outstanding. i'm normally a solo walker and have done quite a lot of leading over the years, but felt the need for some professional input to get me up (and down!) the In Pin. If you don't know it, google a picture and you'll see why it has a reputation.... read moreOK, I can't credit West Coast with arranging four days of brilliant weather but everything else they did was outstanding. i'm normally a solo walker and have done quite a lot of leading over the years, but felt the need for some professional input to get me up (and down!) the In Pin. If you don't know it, google a picture and you'll see why it has a reputation. I arrived to find myself part of a mixed group of six, all of whom had done quite a lot of hillwalking but some without climbing/scrambling experience. We had two guides on the first day, Ken and Steve, and a third, Mike, for the rest of the trip. It was immediately clear that these guys are the best. Utterly capable and in control, they manage to keep a close eye on safety while remaining relaxed and sociable. They all have interesting stories to tell, bags of experience and a very sorted approach to life and what they do. On the rock they managed to be encouraging without being patronising and had clearly sussed our relative abilities quickly. The crux moments (great climbing word of discouragement) went by with ease (relative ease anyway) and all of us managed the tricky bits and hit all 11 summits. There was a lot of joy and sense of achievement at the trig point on Bruach na Frithe at the end of a great trip. There... OK, I can't credit West Coast with arranging four days of brilliant weather but everything else they did was outstanding.
i'm normally a solo walker and have done quite a lot of leading over the years, but felt the need for some professional input to get me up (and down!) the In Pin. If you don't know it, google a picture and you'll see why it has a reputation.
I arrived to find myself part of a mixed group of six, all of whom had done quite a lot of hillwalking but some without climbing/scrambling experience. We had two guides on the first day, Ken and Steve, and a third, Mike, for the rest of the trip.
It was immediately clear that these guys are the best. Utterly capable and in control, they manage to keep a close eye on safety while remaining relaxed and sociable. They all have interesting stories to tell, bags of experience and a very sorted approach to life and what they do.
On the rock they managed to be encouraging without being patronising and had clearly sussed our relative abilities quickly. The crux moments (great climbing word of discouragement) went by with ease (relative ease anyway) and all of us managed the tricky bits and hit all 11 summits. There was a lot of joy and sense of achievement at the trig point on Bruach na Frithe at the end of a great trip.
There are plenty of other tricky routes on the Munros (see the review of Aonach Eagach below) and I shall certainly be booking with West Coast again to tackle some of these. Highly recommended More read less

One of the best weeks I've ever had in the mountains I booked to do the 4 day Cuillin course with mixed feelings. I had high hopes for the week but quite a few concerns as well. Most of the concerns were based around the fact that I do virtually all of my walking alone. This is a choice as it allows me to go where I want at the pace I want and I was concerned that... read moreI booked to do the 4 day Cuillin course with mixed feelings. I had high hopes for the week but quite a few concerns as well. Most of the concerns were based around the fact that I do virtually all of my walking alone. This is a choice as it allows me to go where I want at the pace I want and I was concerned that I'd be forced to trundle along slowly and the days would be disjointed and frustrating as a result. I thought maybe the roped bits would be very restrictive and possibly patronising for those of us who scramble a bit without a rope. I've walked most of the other "Scrambly" munros (Aonach Eagach, Liathach, Forcan Ridge etc) with no concerns at all but the Inn Pinn, Sgurr Nan Gillean, and Am Basteir worried me to put it mildly. In fact I thought Ken and Steve manged the group really well so the day flowed nicely with sensible breaks but I could walk as fast as I wanted. The roped were used perfectly - I rarely felt restricted by being roped up and most of the time I was very glad of the security. Clearly I've not abseiled for a long time and I struggle to trust the system and let go of the rock with my hands, but Ken and Steve just re-assured and instructed in a drama free way. And finally the weather!... I booked to do the 4 day Cuillin course with mixed feelings. I had high hopes for the week but quite a few concerns as well. Most of the concerns were based around the fact that I do virtually all of my walking alone. This is a choice as it allows me to go where I want at the pace I want and I was concerned that I'd be forced to trundle along slowly and the days would be disjointed and frustrating as a result. I thought maybe the roped bits would be very restrictive and possibly patronising for those of us who scramble a bit without a rope. I've walked most of the other "Scrambly" munros (Aonach Eagach, Liathach, Forcan Ridge etc) with no concerns at all but the Inn Pinn, Sgurr Nan Gillean, and Am Basteir worried me to put it mildly.
In fact I thought Ken and Steve manged the group really well so the day flowed nicely with sensible breaks but I could walk as fast as I wanted. The roped were used perfectly - I rarely felt restricted by being roped up and most of the time I was very glad of the security. Clearly I've not abseiled for a long time and I struggle to trust the system and let go of the rock with my hands, but Ken and Steve just re-assured and instructed in a drama free way. And finally the weather! Could it have been any better!
I'm very pleased I went to the Cuillin with a guide as it really enhanced the experience, and I'm really pleased I chose West Coast Mountain guides.
So for me it's a very clear 10/10 for the week, I really can't thank you enough for helping me cross of the munros which had been concerning me for quite a while. More read less