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An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct


Postby ianaird » Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:56 pm

Route description: An Teallach, Dundonnell

Munros included on this walk: Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill (An Teallach), Sgùrr Fiona (An Teallach)

Date walked: 11/06/2011

Time taken: 9 hours

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Myself Colin and my dad had been talking about getting up An Teallach for a while, it was on the cards until Friday evening when the weather man was hinting that it might be wet in the Ullapool area, Skye was looking clear so i was keen to stay at home and hit the Cuillin's.
Colin and my dad had other plan's and convinced me that the weather would be fine up Ullapool way, i'm glad they did :D

Set of around 4:45am with the sun rising over the Knoydart hill's, day was looking GOOD......

Arrived at Dundonnell at 0730, no rain no wind and no midges, perfect.

All three of us had been really looking forward to this hill and our plan was too tackle it head on and attempt the pinnacles direct.
Each of us had read about them and had prepared for the worst, assuming an absail would be nessary at some point we had taken a rope and some basic gear to get us down any gnarly bits, glad we did in the end up.

Set off at 0745 with a spring in the step.

An Teallach 002.JPG


Nothing really prepared me for the sheer size and beauty of this hill, i think we were all gob smacked when the views started to open up, i will let the pictures do the talking..

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Dad and Colin on top of Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill

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Looking up to Sgurr Fiona


After reaching the top of Sgurr Fiona we knew the best was still to come, the pinnacles were looking menacing but we were all eager to attempt the direct route.

Weather was still kind at this point and with low cloud sweeping in it was all adding to the already wonderful atmosphere of this place.

Next set of photo's are of the pinnacles, they were all non-technical just very exposed on bit's with alot of loose rock until the last one where the rope was needed for extra protection.

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The absail with a scary looking rock above!!

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Scary rock


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Me on top of a rock!


Looking back along the ridge we were feeling rather smug, this will be a hill i will return to for sure.

An Teallach 145.JPG


The weather held until down onto the track when the rain came on but we really could not care less, we had just been up An Teallach :D

After the rather long walk back to the car we were soon sitting in the Aultguish Inn drinking beer and eating calamari, perfect end to a perfect day....
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby gagfax » Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:00 pm

Looks a pretty scary walk up there, definately one for a dry day i think :D
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby PeteR » Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:29 pm

Great report and pictures. I love the formation of the rocks in your pictures. :D Looks like you all had a great day :thumbup:
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby Bod » Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:31 am

Thanks for that and sharing your enjoyment of the day. Will be there ourselves one day soon, me hopes....well done!
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby HighlandSC » Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:44 am

Excellent. One of the best reports I've seen on this hill. Brilliant pics - the scrambling looks fun.
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby Driver84 » Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:14 pm


WOW!!! :shock:
Great pictures, completely awe-inspiring. I'm not saying the pictures do the reality justice, but I imagine it comes pretty close.
Good work! :D


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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby BlackPanther » Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:41 pm

Simply fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
I did the ridge of An Teallach two years ago, but I chickened and skipped the pinnacles :shock: :shock: Should have tried them, that scrambling looks great :D :D
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby Alastair S » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:25 pm

Yes, super report for this awesome mountain. The photos are superb, especially all the pinnacle ones.
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby gammy leg walker » Thu Jun 16, 2011 3:59 pm

Many thanks for post & pictures,has put me off for life,the by-pass path for me I think :lol:
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby Paul Webster » Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:17 pm

Stunning stuff, love the pics along the pinnacles.
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby Salahuddin » Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:51 pm

Aww man im going to be in the area in a couple of weeks time and i cant wait!! I already have a dozen hills to climb but viewing your report has tempted me to somehow squeeze in a visit to this mammoth. :?

Great shot of the menacing overhanging boulder, just waiting for Wile E Cayote to fall off Lord Berkeley's Seat with that following him to the bottom. :lol:
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby ianaird » Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:35 pm

Thx guys, truly a day to enjoy, one of the best hill days so far(on the mainland)...
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby malky_c » Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:13 am

Great photos - was looking at this across Loch Broom the following day and really wanting to get back up it. Only ever done the whole lot in miserable rain, so needs revisiting one day I think...
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby ChrisW » Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:17 am

Great report Ianaird and some stunning pics - the one of you 'on top of a rock' is definately a candidate for 'pose of the day' :wink: :D
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Re: An Teallach - Pinnacles Direct

Postby Johnny Corbett » Fri Jun 17, 2011 2:44 pm

Great report and some stunning photos of an awesome mountain range, arguebly the best mountain range in Scotland.
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