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In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 7:31 pm
by scottishkennyg
Penultimate munro. A late decision was taken to drive over to Skye to scout around the pinnacle and maybe take in Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. The forecast suggested better weather in the evening.

I set off up Coire na Banachdich up passed the waterfall into the corrie. Visibility deteriorated here but it was sheltered and it felt mild. I continued onwards and upwards along various paths and small cairns. I scrambled a few bits and then reached a section which rose steeply to a ridge. I noticed a sheer cliff on one side and sensed I was near top of Sgurr Dearg. I walked along to where I found I was level with the west face of the pinnacle with the iconic bolster stone. It looked daunting in the shrouded visibility.
It was very windy and the clouds were dense and wet, in fact I would say atrocious was a better word. The slabby terrain was treacherous. I noticed an orange storm shelter at the leeward side. I hoped that there were others planning for a climb later. Two lads appeared from the shelter and had a chat for a wee while. They confirmed that 4 others had summited in these conditions since they had been there and had all used gear. Their mates were on the ridge with a guide and just shouted "rope below" as I decided to move on.

I tip toed down the slabs before I fell onto my ****. I slid down a bit more then found the wee path to the starting area. At this point I had the option to walk on, but I decided to take a closer look. I switched on the gopro and with a fully loaded pack and no gear on I stepped onto the wet rock. The wee video tells the story better than words...



I had stepped onto the rock merely to have a recce (to take some shots for a workmate who also wished to climb it) and found myself carrying on beyond the point of no return. (after the first shimmy) The rock and the exposure was tricky but the effects of the wind and the rain increased the risk. I was conscious that the conditions were not the best for unprotected climbing and sensed the danger was present at all times. But I still chose to carry on. Reckon the strong magnet of adventure or stupidity kept me going.

Did I enjoy the experience /achievement ?…in all honesty… YES…absolutely, especially when I reached the ground. Would I have enjoyed it as much if it was a dry clear evening in perfectly safe conditions, aye reckon so.

Hopefully I can enjoy the final munro of this round with the peace of mind that the rope work is done for now.

I would like to go back to the Cuillins and tackle the entire ridge in one crossing with good company. It’s on the bucket list. I will not sell the gear on e bay just yet.

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 7:50 pm
by inca
Awe-inspring video Kenny. Transfixing and easily one of the best I've seen. As an exposure feardy, I think you're totally nuts of course :lol: but -wow- what an effort. That took some cahoonas, particularly in those conditions. As for 'negative feedback', I guess most of us get to an age when we make our own judgment calls on such matters. Safe to say, I'll be wanting a guide, ropes, a helmet, and absolutely anything else that'll help get me up this thing when my time comes. The clapping smilie seems a bit lame to add on after watching that. Well done.

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 8:49 pm
by rockhopper
Gripping stuff, Kenny :shock: Can remember climbing this on a warm sunny day, very dry rock, roped in and with a guide. Absolutely no way would I even consider attempting it your way !
Well done - looking forward to the next WR - cheers :)

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 8:53 pm
by scoob999
Nice one :clap: :clap: :clap:

I see you picked a great day for the Pinn :lol: Looks a lot scarier and steeper with the gopro though.
Great effort to do it in those conditions. Can't wait to get back up there and do it again 8)

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 9:51 pm
by Hill-loving lady
Hmmm...kinda pleased my guide suggested I wait for a better day earlier this month! Walked briefly with guy yesterday who went up to the base of the Pinn, had a look, then thought, why not? Had rope for abseil apparently, lived to tell the tale!
Guide, helmet and alot of psyching up for me most definitely!!! But date rebooked for July, so watch this space!!!

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 10:35 pm
by AnnieMacD
Wow, my heart was in my mouth the whole way through that until you hit the ground. What a feat - you are either very brave or very stupid!!!!!! I'm pretty sure it's the former as you know how to do all the technical stuff. It was very interesting watching it as it looks amazingly narrow and it appears the rock is moving. At what point did you know you were past the point of no return?

Congratulations - I'm sure you will never forget it - and please leave No 282 for a good day!

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Sun May 18, 2014 11:13 pm
by weaselmaster
That was pretty incredible.
I'm off to have nightmares :shock: :lol:

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 7:35 am
by The Rodmiester
That looked incredible scarey :crazy: ay least you couldn't see the drops on either side :lol: :lol: you would not have got me up there on a day like that that's for sure. The moving rocks made it even worse :lol: Well done and good effort although a bit :crazy: :crazy:

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 8:35 pm
by Sick Kid
OMG!!!!!! :shock:
How am I going to get up that thing????
In the nicest possible way you're a nutjob! :crazy:
I want about 10 ropes hanging off me in all directions on a dry, dry, dry, windless day! :wink:

Seriously, well done you! :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 9:06 pm
by Mountainlove
Wow and hats off to you!!! Thats incredible and the video is really great...and yes you are nuts (but with rock climbing skills I guess I would have tried the same) Although I probably would have waited for a dry day 8)

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 9:08 pm
by Huff_n_Puff
Wow - brave :clap: :clap: That rock looked like it was trying to throw you off!!

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Mon May 19, 2014 11:06 pm
by mgmt!
congratulations on your penultimate munro kenny ,but im a bit confused.. :?
you claim to be a qualified mountain guide, yet you write as a novice :?
if your a qualified guide, climbing a "moderate" is toffee buns ? even in a wet n windy day, and an extrex to navigate off the hil :?
if your not a qualified guide, then this was a rather dangerous excursion, and as you say may warrant some negative feedback.

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2014 9:47 am
by lochlaggan
Interesting reading and bloody well done. I'm hoping to climb this in mid June so hopefully calm with blue skies.

:clap: :clap:

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2014 10:43 am
by brpro26
You’re going to fall!! No anchors, lone climbing, no belayers …strong wind, wet smooth rock, poor visibility and a sheer drop on either side…..Fight or Flight!!


No I would say idiot....I think your judgement was as clouded as your GoPro. The lack of people waiting to go up before you might have been a clue? I'm not doubting you've got the skills but maybe best for another day.
I think you dodged one that day and if your honest, you know that yourself. Glad you never went for Sgurr MC as we might not have had the chance to read your trip report.

Still respect given for having the space-hopper sized gonads to take it on but it wouldn't have been me. I did it on a lovely warm day hanging off a guide and felt no shame in doing that one bit.

Good luck on your impending compleation. :crazy: :clap:

Re: In goes the pinn

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 1:49 pm
by theformerastronomer
Aye caramba! I am somewhere between impressed and horrified that you were on the In Pinn on Sunday - we were on Sgurr a' Mhadaidh and Sgurr a' Greadaidh on Sunday in the same conditions and I have to admit I would never have considered anything more challenging than those.

Edited to add: Having watched the video again, I'm definitely in the 'horrified' camp. I did this yesterday in perfect conditions with a rope and belayer and it was all absolutely fine, but the thought of doing it even in those conditions without the safety systems gives me the serious heeby-jeebies.