Sgurr na Stri

[past my sell by date]

Thinking that the FOF was probably not up to one of the major Skye peaks - though given the brilliant weather we might have managed Bruache na Frithe, - but wanting them to experience the Black Cuillin and at least see Coruisk, I decided that Sgurr na Stri was a good contender. The question was how to do it. The WH route is 23km but does have a path all the way, whereas the route from Kilmarie via Camasunary is only just over 14km but does have a pathless section up the unnamed Corrie and does entail an extra 250 m of height gain..
Ideally we would have gone one way and returned the other, but I felt the logistics might be too difficult - so in the end I opted for the shorter walk.

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Start - on the path to Camasunary with the John Muir Trust noticeboard

looking back from near the 195m Mam Am

The Black Cuillin come into view: they are clear but not in sunshine

Resting at the high point

Further down: Sgur na Stri behind: A direct assault looks too difficult: our route is going to be up the grassy corrie just R of centre

Across the sea to Rum; the weather is beautiful but the hills still attract cloud.

Camasunary - an old picture from the path to Coruisk via the "bad step". Blaven on the R, Glamaig (L) and Marsco at the back

Crossing the bridge on to the machair: we saw a baby adder in the grass, but it scarpered before anyone could get a photo

Crossing the Abhais Camas Fhionnairigh. The water level was very low: I think you normally have to wade

We followed a small track beside the river for a while, and then headed up the un-named corrie: there were vestiges of a path in places but nothing we could really follow
At the top we climbed a gully to reach the main ridge of the hill: a route slightly further L would have been better.

Detail - we followed a bit of a path up A but climbing the grassy slope B would have been shorter

On the main ridge of the mountain - looking back the way we had come

looking South, a path kept on the E side of the summit ridge and led to the obvious notch on the L

Getting nearer - the notch is much clearer

Thrift (sea pinks) among the rocks
There are two summits - the one to the R looked higher and had a bigger cairn

Alec beside the cairn. I was reminded of Ira Hayes raising the flag on Iwo Jima perhaps it felt like that for Alec as well

I had to be photographed by the cairn as well

Summit view - Loch Coruisk surrounded by the Cuillins . what can you say? If this isn't the finest view in Britain it's certainly a major contender. Sadly the hills were still mainly in shadow and appear for the most part as silhouettes

On the little section of land between Scavaig and Coruisk I could just make out the Coruisk Memorial Hut where I spent my first week in the Cuillins in late September over 60 years ago. We arrived by fishing boat from Mallaig. It rained most of the time - The "Mad Burn" the obvious gash on the R and dry today, was frequently a roaring torrent { the hut is on the flat area just beneath it in the photo}. We just went out in wet clothes each morning - keeping a dry set in the hut -, and at least one party was benighted every night But we climbed most of the hills. We also had to dig a hole in the bog and empty the Elsan

The mad burn from near the hut when we arrived in 1960: It was quite quiet: but there is so much bare rock and so little grass in the Black Cuillins that when it rains the water just pours straight off and comes cascading down in torrents

Looking furthe R - the Pinnacle ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean

Furrther R again: Glamaig, Marsco and the Corbett Garbh bhein

and further R still towards the lower summit on the other side of the notch
The others had had enough and went down but I climbed up to this and took three more photos

Looking down to Camasunary and the Elgol peninsula

Another view up Glen Sligachan with Blaven above Loch na Creitheach , Glamaig far L, Marsco and Garbh bheinn

The low level coast route to Coruisk with Rum and part of Soay
The others waited on the way down and I soon caught up with them. We found the better descent (B) but then they all scattered and we lost about an hour descending the Corrie and crossing the river. Leading the FOF has an element of "herding cats" about it.
As a result we were too late to get to Sligachan for dinner, but were just in time for scampi and chips at the Broadford Chippy. And we managed a beer later at the former. An excellent day

[rockhopper]

Interesting route - did look a good alternative to the longer way from the north. Still to get here but it's on the to do list - cheers

[past my sell by date]

Interesting route - did look a good alternative to the longer way from the north. Still to get here but it's on the to do list - cheers

Hi RH
We kept to the LHS of the Corrie - well away from the burn - but I'm sure the more adventurous could save time by heading further L up thru the slabby outcrops. The FOF - now totalling 320 and rising - needed to be more cautious . There were vestiges of paths in many place, but as always, we only saw them on the descent; and as all experienced highland walkers know, much the best way UP steep slopes is on stony paths, but much the best way DOWN is on soft squishy bog

[Anne C]

Some terrific photos - what a day you had for it.

I much prefer Sgurr na Stri via the Kilmarie route, not being a fan of the Glen Sligachan route which always seems endless

You've certainly got a longer drive, depending on starting point but the views are just so wonderful once the top of the pass is reached.A stunner of a walk.