Skye 2012

Darren leading Jennifer on the First Pitch of the Innaccessible Pinnacle

Following our sizzling experience in the Grampians, Jennifer and I headed for Skye to join up with pal Darren and assorted other folk for a week on the Black Cuillin. The weather remained very good for the most part but without the extreme temperatures of the previous week. This was just as well, as the reflected heat from all the rock would have made climbing most uncomfortable.

Sgurr a’ Mhadaidh & Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh

Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh From Sgurr a' Mhadaidh

We started with probably my favourite Cuillin day – the ascent and traverse of these 2 peaks via the sharp notch of An Dorus (the door). A gentle walk-in under blue skies accompanied by the repetitive song of a cuckoo saw us high up in Coire an Dorus in just over an hour. The scree path up to the skyline also proved relatively easy - helped in part by the shadow cast by Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh’s NW cliffs. An easy scramble led us up to the tiny summit cairn of Sgurr a’ Mhadaidh (918m; peak of the fox).

Bla Bheinn & Loch Coruisk From Sgurr a' Mhadaidh

After admiring the view (there was so much to see), it was smartly back down to An Dorus whose awkward traverse was admirably accomplished by Her Ladyship! Then it was up past Eag Dubh (black notch) and the Wart (landmarks on the Cuillin Ridge come with some great names) to our 2nd Munro of the day: Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh (973m; peak of torment). Today, we forsook the entertaining but committing rooftop traverse of Ghreadaidh and returned to An Dorus.

Descending Into Coire an Dorus

A pretty quick descent saw us quickly down in the grass corries and back to the car for one of those sublime foot-bathing sessions. Jennifer had started her conquest of the Skye Ridge in fine style and they still seemed to be on speaking terms with each other!

Sgurr Mhic Choinnich

Sgurr Mhic Choinnich From Glen Brittle

Time to up the ante and try something a little more thought-provoking. This relatively diminutive peak nestles between the 2 highest points on the Skye Ridge and forms one of the most spectacular corrie headwalls in Britain. The ½Km crest of the mountain contains much ‘entertainment’ with plenty of ‘interesting’ steps, ‘absorbing’ twists & turns and ‘exciting’ white-knuckle holds to keep even the most drifting mind sharply focused! As if that isn’t enough, the summit lies at the southern tip of the summit crest that then spectacularly ends with a precipitous drop! It’s the Cuillin’s way of announcing that this mountain is ending and another is beginning!

Coire Lagan

So off we tramped up into Coire Lagan from the Glen Brittle campsite. Unusually for this trip, clouds covered the tops although the sun was doing its best to split them up. Suddenly, a bright halo of sunshine appeared straight ahead and the unmistakable profile of Mackenzie’s Peak appeared to us as if beckoning us to take it on.

The Beckoning Peak

Encouraged by our peak’s early appearance, we climbed up into Coire Lagan, past the eponymous lochan and skirted the dreaded An Stac screes to reach the skyline in 2hrs. Here the ‘fun’ started and after a further hour of deft expletive-ridden gymnastics and considerable concentration and commitment to the cause, Jennifer claimed one of the more exacting Cuillin Munros – Sgurr Mhic Choinnich (948m; Mackenzie’s Peak)! Well done old thing!

Sgurr Alasdair From Sgurr Mhic Choinnich

Having decided against abseiling off King's Chimney (it wasn't a great time for such suggestions) we returned back along the crest to the foot of An Stac and descended the scree.  After the challenge of the ridge, this was much more to Jennifer's liking and she managed the art of scree running with great aplomb and not inconsiderable speed.  Not bad for someone from Cheltenham...

Sgurr Dearg (The Inaccessible Pinnacle) & Sgurr na Banachdich

That Pinn Thing!

Today we joined Darren, Mairi & Mark for a fitting end to our week on the Misty Isle. Darren led us up on to Sgurr Dearg where we joined the queue for that towering wedge of rock that everyone wants to climb.

Jennifer Cracking Up After One of Darren's Jokes...

Climbing Sgurr Dearg direct from Glen Brittle is the better - and safer - option these days following the deterioration of the path that climbs up to the Pinn from Coire Lagan via the An Stac screes.  This has become badly eroded and there is a serious loose rock hazard from those milling around the bottom of the Pinn.

Up We Go Then!

Fortunately for once, it was sunny and warm so the waiting was easy and the climb went smoothly and quickly. Mairi may have missed the part of the safety brief that covered the pitfalls of dismantling the protection devices whilst the climb was still in progress, but otherwise all went well and happy smiles were soon being exchanged on top of that most challenging of Munro summits!

Not So Inaccessible After All!

Five quick abseils/lowerings off the short side later and we were back on the mountain proper and metamorphosing back into hillwalkers. Darren descended into Coire na Banachdich with Mairi whilst Jennifer, Mark and myself traversed across to Sgurr na Banachdich (965m; smallpox peak ) to gain a 2nd Munro of the day and extend the fun just a little bit longer. We too were back at the car an hour later.  A big thank you to the good doctor for making the day such a success.

Jennifer Returns to Terra Firma!

This was a rewarding first visit to the Black Cuillin for Jennifer who managed to take a fair bite-sized chunk out of the Ridge whilst gaining invaluable experience that will hold her in good stead for when she returns to polish them off as she undoubtedly will.

Sgurr nan Banachdich From the Approach to Sgurr Dearg

No eagles this week, just that cuckoo and a delightful wee cock stonechat that welcomed us to his patch early in the climb into Coire Lagan. He was still there when we descended some hours later. Nice touch!

The Cuillin Hills From Elgol