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Date - Sat 04/06/2011
Title - Bla Bheinn (Blaven), Cuillin - Isle of Skye
Route - From W side of Loch Slapin ascending via E ridge. Return same way.
Weather - Excellent - sunny with patchy cloud. Light breeze
People - Me / Iain
Time - 5h 45m
Distance - 8.4km
Ascent - 990m
Max Altitude - 928m
I’ve done a bit of wandering in Skye over the years- stuff like Coral Beaches, Quiraing circuit, Spar Cave and Coire Lagan but this was to be my first attempt at summiting one of the big peaks on Skye – Bla Bheinn, well known for being the only Munro on Skye that is set apart from the other 11 on the main Cuillin Ridge. As the walk description states, the trade route is easy by Cuillin standards. There’s some loose rocky paths to deal with, a small scree gully, and a few easy scrambles but otherwise there’s nothing to deter most from attempting the route. Lots of optional scrambling available too.
There are several route options possible on Bla Bheinn- such as the SE ridge, or the longer and more scrambly S ridge (I’ll be back for that), or some much harder scrambles on the N & NE faces for the more adventurous.
As I was out with my brother (total beginner) today I stuck to the trade route in order to avoid any increased difficulties such as the crossing from S to N summit which you’d have to do by most other routes. During the week the forecasts were varying but we stuck to plan A of doing this on the Sat (Fri was an option) which worked out perfectly. There was little wind and we had sunshine all day. It looked like we might just get good views from the summit after all
Stopped beside Loch Slapin for some shots of the hill
Walked W along the path on the N side of the Allt na Dunaiche
First waterfall
Second waterfall
Eastern faces of Bla Bheinn & Clach Glas
A lone walker at the bottom of the SE ridge
After about an hour we were in Coire Uaigneich. I was careful not to make the common mistake of going too far into the corrie before turning right to go up the E ridge. Starting up the ridge there's traces of a loose path that becomes more obvious as you go further up.
Gaining height the views started to open up
Looking SE over Loch Fionna-choire
Eigg & Rum
E over An Stac to Loch Slapin. And (I think) Loch Hourn & Barrisdale Bay (top centre) and Loch Nevis (top right)
Me on an airy perch above the eastern cliffs (with the Great Prow behind (I think))
Bealach between Bla Bheinn & Clach Glas
Garbh-bheinn (left) & Clach Glas (centre)
Approaching the summit cloud was building and swirling around all over the place
Thankfully most of it cleared as quickly as it formed (although the main ridge was trying it's best to hold on to it)
Amazing views from up here
Cuillin Ridge (
click to open large)
Inn Pinn (centre)
Red Hills
Garbh-bheinn
Looking South
East
East (zoomed)
Looking to the S summit from N (true) summit
I went to the bealach between the summits to check out the routes up to the S summit. I gather the ledge to the left is the most common route- It's a bit crumbly in places and damp but is easy enough (although exposed) and I went half way along it but didn't go all the way as it kind of fades out and you require to commit a bit more to continue or opt to go directly up the rock. As my brother was with me but definitely not doing this (we'd never planned it anyway) I knew I'd have to go back across so didn't bother. Michelle and I have plans to do the S ridge up Bla Bheinn taking in both tops in the future so I'll give it another go then. I didn't look at it closely but there's an alternative option of a gully to the left of the ledge which I've heard some claim is better- a bit loose inside but otherwise secure and less exposed. Avoiding both these bypasses and going directly up the rock also looks possible.
Gully on far left. Ledge left of centre. Or any other line you like up the rock.
Descending from summit. Progress was quick on the way down but tricky on the looser terrain sections. Over before you know it though.
Soon enough we were back on the corrie floor, looking back up
The massive boulder in Coire Uaigneich
The walk out
Finished off with a meal at the Slig then I took my bro on a drive north to Trotternish (to show him a bit more of Skye- his first time here) before turning round and heading back to Inverness.
A last look at Skye
Eilean Donan Castle
Brilliant day
Next Skye plan is in the making
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Early in the morning there was rockfall on the slope of Sgurr nan Eag on the main Cuillin Ridge. I wasn't around then but foggieclimber heard it and Chirs seen it happen- pics are in foggies report (
Marvellous Marsco (from Coruisk)). I didn't spot the wreckage from so far away but looked at my pics once I'd found out about it and it's noticeable
