Cuillin Ridge

Isle of Skye

Without great expectations of actually pulling it off Jos and Pip took a crack at a 1-day traverse of the fabled Cuillin traverse on our last day on Skye. We managed about three fifths, we figure, bagging about 15 peaks along the way between Gars-bheinn (southern end) and Sgùrr Thuilm (we exited the main ridge via the West ridge of Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh). A 5:30 start from the Glenbrittle Campground got us to the top of Gars-bheinn and the start of the traverse for 9:00 (we lost a bit of time traversing too far East under Gars-bheinn before starting up). Consistent with almost every mountain day we had during our month in the UK we were in the clouds and didn't get much in the way of views. However, we enjoyed a tonne of fun scrambling, including two technical pitches (TD gap and King Chimney) made more exiting by the fact that we had no pro (though plenty of slings). We moved well, and took few breaks, but eventually ran out of steam (and water), and when Guy (aka dad) intercepted us north of Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh we faced a stark choice between A: continuing on for a guaranteed Sufferfest or, B: calling it a day and getting back to our families for dinner. Pip was only half-inclined to suffer (against Jocelyn's resolve not to call it a day; bailing at this point still meant another 3hrs or so on our feet) so down we went. Back to the Glenbrittle Hostel around 6pm where Gillian (aka mum) was waiting to give us a very-much-appreciated ride down the road to the campground.

Scramblers: the sister-brother team of Jos and Pip.

Guidebook: Mike Lates, Skye: The Cuillin (2011).

Photos | Strava