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Late last year dad and I spoke about going to Skye to try the Pin, dad has never done it and feels time is running out in terms of agility for him so he wanted it ticked off the bucket list. Hence then the reason for this trip. We booked into the Fasgath B&B in Kyle of Lochalsh for the Wednesday and Thursday nights and then played the waiting game for the months to tick away till our big trip. As time went on and we came to the week before our trip I had two beady eyes all over the weather forecast, our days were looking to be the best of a bad week, fingers crossed it remain the same. We arrived in Kyle of Lochalsh on a fine summers evening, settled into the B&B and got an early night.
- Eilean Donan Castle on the way over to Kyle of Lochalsh on Wednesday evening
We had called Paddy (our guide) earlier and he confirmed a 9am meet at the Sligachan Mountain rescue hut. Great, we would get a full breakfast at 7.20 and be away the back of 8 to meet Paddy. He said because the weather was not to be the best today that we'd do Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean.
- Mountain rescue hut where we met Paddy
Introductions were done, it was only him and us and then we loaded the kit into our packs and Paddy gave me the rope to carry, it was extra weight I could do without but it made me look as close as i'll ever be to a proper climber so the extra effort was worth it
- Clag on the route up to the Bealach a' Bhasteir
- Typical Skye rock with minor intrusions running along it
- Bealach a' Bhasteir above the snow field
We followed the path up to Bealach a' Bhasteir where we left the packs and got our harnesses and helmets on.
- Reaching the Bealach a' Bhasteir, packs off and harnesses on
- Getting prepared to head up Am Basteir
Paddy led at a good pace and we soon reached a section where he would lower us down around ten feet as a section of rock had broken away leaving a near vertical drop. I went first and waited on dad, he was a little less steady but managed it fine.
- Paddy lowering dad off the first small drop before climb to Am Basteir
Next stop was the summit of Am Basteir, the clag was down but Paddy assured us that the drop over the edge to the North was sheer
- Am Basteir summit, me and dad
We returned to the Bealach and loaded the packs on again and made our way to the Chimney we would ascend up to get to Gillean. Paddy said the options here were to leave the packs and return that way with him lowering us down or we take the packs and we descend off Gillean a more gradual way but it be slightly longer in time and distance. I saw in dads eyes he was not quite ready for the descent so we opted to take our packs. Paddy roped us up and we climbed up the chimney to reach him. This felt great and of course Paddy made us feel at ease and safe.
- Paddy leading the climb up the chimney to Sgurr nan Gillean
- Dad next up
- Paddy leading the next difficult step round before the window is reached on Gillean
We scrambled round the corner to the window, Paddy said as we were carrying our packs that we could not go through as it be too tight a squeeze. Nevertheless we contoured round to it's left and soon were on the summit of Gillean. The clag was still thick but it broke briefly for views back to Am Basteir.
- Looking back to Am Basteir appearing out of the clag
- Me, Sgurr nan Gillean summit
We took the longer more gradual route off Gillean which took us East away from the summit and then back West below Pinnacle Ridge and then back onto our outward route back to the cars.
- Looking back to the days summits, left to right, Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir and Bruach na Frithe
Paddy arranged our gear for quick easy distribution tomorrow and we set off back for showers and food after agreeing to meet again at 9am the next day at the third cottage in along Glen Brittle.
We decided on not such a heavy breakfast the day of the Pin, the weather in Kyle was also drizzle so I was fearing the worst but as we arrived at the meeting point in Glen Brittle Paddy was encouraged by the weather. He said we'd go for Mhic Choinnich first today as a big group had not long passed heading for the Pin. We walked up along the path towards Coire Lagan, once up next to the wee loch below the Great Stone Chute to Alasdair we took a rest and some food.
- Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and the start of the Great Stone Chute up to Sgurr Alasdair
- Sgurr Mhich Chionnich ahead
Paddy said our next target was just below An Stac where we'd ditch the packs and head over the bealach to Mhich Choinnich. This was quite a scrambly part, nothing technical or hard but constant scrambling, good foot and hand holds though.
- And again, look impenetrable from this angle
Soon we made the summit of Mhich Choinnich, it had a memorial from back in the 50's on the summit but it was cracked. Paddy believed this was due to a lightening strike.
- Me and Paddy Sgurr Mhich Choinnich summit
We retraced our steps back to the packs passing the big group that had just summited the Pin on the way. Their guide informed us that there was no queue which was a boost.
- Looking back down Coire Lagan and Loch Brittle
- The Pin revealing itself out of the clag
We had a quick food stop then started the climb up to the left of An Stac towards the foot of the Pin. On reaching it the sun was starting to burn through and views were opening up. A solo climber then came over the top of An Stac and asked if he could shoot on in front of us up the Pin as he was not roping, up he went and we never saw him again, ridge traverse must have been the reason for his haste. Paddy got all the ropes ready then gave us his instructions and then set off on the first pitch.
- First pitch up the Pin
Dad then followed and me last, the first pitch had great food and hand holds till one section that the foot hold is not great, we made it over that and met Paddy where he'd set the anchor. He took our picture as things were really brightening up.
- Paddy kindly took a photo of dad and I just before start of second pitch, Mhic Choinnich and Alasdair in background, clag had disappeared
The second pitch is a lot easier but a bit more exposed but we were soon hugging the summit rock. As we were the only soles there and would not be holding anyone up Paddy set up and anchor and allowed us up to touch the true summit, this is not something he normally does but due to their only being me and dad he suggested to us it be fine. Great stuff, we'd done it, now lets get down safely. Paddy lowered dad first and he did great, down in super quick time. Me next and the adrenalin going through my body made the experience awesome. We waited on the limpet Paddy as he kindly went back down to the base of the Pin for the bags and we took photos from the summit of Sgurr Dearg.
- The Pin
Soon we were on our way back down the ridge past window buttress and back to the path out. I must take my hat off to people that are able to do continuous days on the Cuillin as I was really feeling it on the route back to the car, mostly because I was wearing my Manta winter boots as I did not want to wreck my summer ones. This proved a good decision as the Mantas saw a fair bit of wear over the two days. I was so glad to get out of the boots and into trainers, the sun was shining and I lay for 10 minutes while I waited on dad and Paddy. We cannot thank Paddy enough for the great two days he gave us, I imagine we'll manage the rest of the Cuillin ourselves but it was a great feeling knowing we were with a guide whom knew all the routes etc as that would be one hard place to be navigating in clag
One last stop over the bridge in Kyle to take a photo of Skye as the light was fading.
Great couple of days, probably the best I've had and luckily I got to spend them with the Mannie Beaner
Cheers
- And the hills of Scotland go on and on, hope to return to Skye next year