High Flying Hairy Kipper

Mike seems to have a way with the weather this year. This is the third day out we've had in brilliant weather this year! The last two were winter climbing but this time it was definitely the conditions for rock climbing. We went to Glen Coe, the home of the mountain crags, and climbed a couple of V.Diff. routes on the NE Face of Gearr Aonach in full on sunshine.

Many people know of a scramble called The Zig Zags up this side of Gearr Aonach. From the base of The Zig Zags and further left there is a collection of really good rock climbs that do not see much traffic. As it happens another two guys had the same thought today so the crags was relatively busy with two teams climbing. 

First up, Mike and I climbed High Flying. This has a tricky first pitch going the way I went but you could choose a different line to make it the same grade as the rest of the climb. The second and third pitches were great and we found an easy walk off back down The Zig Zags. We had plenty of time for a second climb so we followed Ian and Donald up Hairy Kipper. This has a good bit of heather on it, hence the name, but also plenty of steep rock with great holds. It's a cool climb that is well worth doing. Down in the glen it was busy busy in the car parks and it was nice to think we gave them something extra to look at while they soak up the natural wonder that is Glen Coe.