THE DUBH RIDGE

It’s rare that I’ll run the same route twice, motivation often being noticeably absent at the prospect of covering all too familiar ground, though inspiration can be found even in some slight variation when options are limited. Unsurprisingly, despite having climbed the Dubh Ridge on almost a score of occasions, inspiration and motivation to go again, are rarely lacking.

Billed as ‘Moderate’, the easiest of the climbing grades, it is in fact mostly hands-free padding on the gabbro slabs, and largely runnable, by the easiest lines at least which lead uncompromisingly to the airy summit and steep drop overlooking the void that opens before Sgùrr Dubh Mòr. But avoiding that drop is a straightforward exercise too, giving access to the main ridge with easier options to the south and more complex, demanding routes to the north. Put simply, it is one of the best mountain days to be had anywhere. Or a brilliant start, to one even better.

BEINN EIGHE - LAWSON, LING & GLOVER’S ROUTE