The weekend weather forecast showed a large area of high pressure centred over the north Atlantic, but unfortunately Skye was on its eastern edge and would be subject to low cloud, mist and drizzle. Clag definitely makes for “sub-optimal” conditions for scrambling about on the finest range of hills in Scotland…the legendary Black Cuillin. However, if you waited for a perfect forecast, you would never go to Skye. As if by magic, Saturday dawned bright and sunny. Last night’s drinking debris was cleared away, breakfast was dispensed and gear was sorted. Then the glens resounded to the stomp of MMC boots heading for the hills.
Ray H, Karen F and Malcolm C “set off with the aim of climbing Sgurr Alasdair and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. How hard can that be? Well – according to Malcolm, whose life flashed before his eyes on several occasions, VERY hard. However, led by Ray, the two tops were achieved without incident and the trio arrived back in one piece after 9 hours of hard walking/climbing.”
Hart’s Ledge (Donnie, Sheena and Steven)
Donnie M, Graeme M, Steven M, Sheena F and Daniel M did a wonderful anti-clockwise round of Corrie Laggan. The gentle western shoulder of Sgurr Sgumain provided an easy route to its summit, but that was where the easy miles ended. A bit of a down climb and a traverse led the team to the “bad step”, which blocks the way to Sgurr Alasdair. The chimney was overcome with the aid of a rope and shortly after we were all eating Murdoch’s pies on fine summit. A short down and up took us to Sgurr Thearlaich. The route from here to Sgurr Mich Choinich starts off simply enough, but the descent to the bealach is little tricky (depending on route choice). We opted for a short rope-protected downclimb. Hart’s Ledge (aka Collie’s Ledge), is a wonderful piece of mountain building. It looks impossible from a distance, and only mildly worrying from up close! Danny MacAskill may be the first to take his bike along it, but even he wouldn’t have imagined a fully grown Clydesdale! The summit was bagged and the team moved on to the ultimate destination….the Inaccessible Pinnacle. Even regular climbers take a deep breath at the exposure, but to non-climbers it is more than a little daunting. With a rallying cry of “Aye, it’ll be alright”, Dan set off up the arête and a short while later all except Sheena were on the summit. For the none-climber, the only thing worse than the ascent is the abseil back down. Fortunately, there were no mishaps – although Dan’s 60m rope gained an extra few metres. Having watched all the shenanigans from the safety of Sgurr Dearg, Sheena decided to have a go – up the steep end! The team descended via the western shoulder of Sgurr Dearg for a well-earned cup of tea.
Inaccessible Pinnacle (Donnie, Graeme and Steven)
David T, Robert J and Kevin R headed into the glaciated magnificence of Coir a Ghrunnda and then on to Sgurr nan Eag. Their next destination, Sgurr Dubh Mor, required a tricky scramble. Fortunately the return journey was made a little easier by following the mountain guides.
Jan N, Audrey F, Fay G, Jenny L and Pippa (the dog) headed for Sgurr nan Eag. “Pippa, the young Cocker Spaniel’s first munro was brilliant. She struggled up vertical cliffs and even some rearrangements to the ascent and descent were worth it to see a happy dog (and owner) tackle their first munro. The views to the isles were magnificent.”
The Duncans (Fiona Alan, Katrina and Maggie) and Andy B “…headed of in the direction on Dunvegan to climb MacLeod’s tables – the round of Glen Osdale (Healabhal Mhor and Healabhal Bheag). Bheag meaning small is actually bigger than Mhor meaning big! 6-hour day, spotted two sea eagles.”
On Sunday the mist and drizzle was back with a vengeance. Despite this, Kevin R went up Sgurr a Ghreadaidh and Sgurr Mhadaidh. Donnie, Graeme and Steven added Bla Bheinn to Donnie’s list of ticks. Andy, Malcolm, Maggie, Katrina and Ray went into Corie Ghrunnda, but as the mist was still down they decided to call it a day at the corrie.
Coire Ghrunnda (Maggie, Katrina, Andy and Malcolm)
Alan and Fiona headed towards some hills near the Kyle Rhea ferry. Dan and Sheena were a little slower at leaving, but also decided to go to the same area. “We guessed the hill (Sgurr na Coinnich) and sure enough there was a blue Audi at the bealach (parked in the middle of a double parking space). The compass lying on the front passenger seat confirmed that we were indeed on the trail of a Beattie. We met on the summit, which was clagged in. Having criticised the parking, we decided to stick “the boot” in…. ‘Fiona, why is there a compass on the front seat of the car?’ The response was classic Beattie… ‘what’s the point of a compass? …I don’t have a map!’ Alan and Fiona headed off into the mist for the other hill (Beinn na Caillich), whilst we headed south to the car.”