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Five of us, Jimmy, Karen, Martin, Andy and myself had booked a five day course with Skye guide Paddy McGuire to climb the Cuillin Munros from May 15 to 19. Weather conditions meant that we managed 8 out of the 12, and the story has already been well told on this site via reports by my companions. So here is a quick review of the days before and after that adventure.
I was hoping to climb Gairich on Monday 12, but the weather wasn't good. For something to do, I drove to Kinloch Hourn. While having a cup of tea at the farm house, a soaking walker turned up with no ruck sack. He'd slipped into a raging burn on the way from Barrisdale, and had to let his pack go to be able to climb out
. This made me feel staying off the hills had been the right decision. Driving back along the glen to my accomodation in Inchlaggan, I encountered Jimmy in his van heading the other way. He too had looked at Gairich and decided against it. He also managed to contact Karen, so all three of us went for it the next day, in better conditions.
13/5/15: Gairich, climbed with Jimmy and KarenDistance: 16.5 km
Ascent: 952 m
Time: 6.25 h
- Gairich from Loch Quoich
- Jimmy and Karen moving towards the target
- Loch Quoich, Sgurr a' Mhaoraich and Glen Shiel hills from Gairich
- Karen and Jimmy on Gairich; Ben Tee in the background
- Ladhar Bheinn and Beinn Sgritheall in the distance, from Gairich
- Jimmy and Karen descending
14/5/15: Sgurr a' Mhaoraich, climbed by all five of usDistance: 13.2 km
Ascent: 991 m
Time: 5.5 hThis was a good day for building teamwork. First lesson in working together was to decide which way we were going. As I set off following the Cameron McNeish route, everyone else seemed to be following the WH route descrition in reverse
. Anyway, the C McM route ascends the hill the same way as the WH route the regular way round, so 2 to 1 said we all headed up via the SE ridge. We agreed to descend using the south ridge, as this should save time and energy, with the drive to Skye ahead that night and the assault on the Cuillin due to begin the following day.
- Looking towards Sgurr na Ciche, early during the ascent
- En route to Sgurr a' Mhaoraich
- Looking towards Knoydart from the summit
- Sgurr na Ciche range from the summit
- Descending via the south ridge
15-19/5/15: SkyeHere are just a few photos to add to the fine stories told by my companions...
- Looking back to Clach Glas during the ascent of Bla Bheinn
- Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir (neither conquered on this mission) plus tooth
- Martin, emerging from the NW ridge of Bruach na Frithe
- Paddy
- Loch Coir' a' Ghrunnda and Sgurr Alasdair
- This will have to wait until next time!
20/5/15: Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich, climbed with AndyDistance: 12 km
Ascent 1272 m
Time: 5.5 hBy the Wednesday, everyone had gone home apart from Andy and me, who had booked to stay a few nights in Fort William and Corpach respectively. So the two of us decided to re-visit Loch Quoich en-route. We arrived approaching midday, so quickly got started - and missed the path leaving the road towards Spidean Mialach! My mistake (I'll have to take the blame this time
) was soon rectitfied, and we were up and down with time to get to our destinations and settle into our accommodation.
- Andy heading for Spidean Mialach
- Looking back to Loch Fearna and Loch Quoich while ascending
- Loch Loyne from Spidean Mialach
- Approaching Gleouraich
- Dropping down towards Loch Quoich
Back at the cars, we didn't want to hang around before setting off to FW and Corpach, so I spent less time than usual sorting out my gear (Martin calls it "dithering"). This lack of attention to detail meant I forgot to reset my GPS, and the track showed the whole journey to Corpach as well as the walk. Hundreds of extra waypoints, making the route map a pain to edit later
. But we were soon on our way through Invergarry, ready for a few more days in the West Highlands.
Thanks very much to Jimmy, Karen, Martin and Andy for the company during this expedition. Let's look forward to more adventures in the future. And thanks to Paddy for his support, and the confidence he gave us all.
