The Birthday Pinn
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 8:51 pm
It was time for the Inn Pinn Take 2. Due to work commitments it was just before 7.30pm on Saturday evening when I left Glasgow, with the aim of getting as far North as possible As I left Fort William it began to rain heavily and it was getting dark. Driving through Kintail it was approaching midnight, very wet and there were plenty of deer around. Soon I could go no further, found a wee spot near Dornie and crawled onto the back seat of my car as it was far too minging to be bothering with tents
And so it was that I awoke on the morning of my 28th birthday, asleep on the back seat of my car cuddling a pair of (fortunately clean) walking socks Moving back to the front of the car without opening the door (the wind had dropped and all the midges in the world were out ) I headed for Skye. The bad weather from the night before had cleared and it was looking promising.
After a quick stop in Broadford to change and brush my teeth, it was onwards to Sligachan where I met the team at 8.30. The “Team” consisted of Lynne, Darren and myself from last time, Laura had (very cleverly) morphed into Harry, and of course the legend that is Paddy
We headed down to Glen Brittle and Paddy fitted us out with hard hats and harnesses and said we needed to carry two ropes between the 4 of us. With a little encouragement, the two gentlemen Darren and Harry “offered” to carry the ropes on the way up
An impressive waterfall after the previous evenings rainfall
And so we were off Paddy set a nice steady pace; there was barely a breath of wind and we were all sweating furiously. A welcome stream provided an opportunity for a breather and for me to top up my water as I’d forgotten to do it before
Paddy, Darren and Harry
The views out to sea were clearing nicely and looking backing down to Glen Brittle we could see that there were still no cars in the carpark – Paddy said that it was the quietest it had been all season. Bizarre as the weather was good All good for us though….
Rum and Canna
Rum and Eigg
Sgurr Alasdair beginning to appear
A group shot
We plodded on and eventually Paddy told us to put our hats and harnesses on. I was pretty glad of a wee bit of recent rock-climbing experience as I made less of an arse of putting my harness on than the male contingent
Sgurr Alasdair (and the great stone chute) and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich
The whole of the stone chute came into view
Just around the corner the Pinn itself began to come into view. Initially it looked pretty tiny. Don’t know what we were worrying about…
Then it got a bit bigger. Still, no problems…
Then…ah….
So after various discussions about how we could run away without losing face, we were instructed to leave our packs and make our way down to the base of the Pinn. Paddy and Lynne cleverly strapped my camera to me (if I was going up this thing I damn well wanted some evidence )
And we headed downwards, carefully picking our way across slabs to gain the relative safety of the base of the Pinn.
I think this is me asking Paddy how many times he’s been up the Pinn… “Not quite 1000” apparently!!
“Helping” Paddy
Paddy got to work doing a thing with ropes while we all milled around getting in the way. We were paired up and attached to ropes, the men getting first go….
Getting roped up
Paddy scampered off up as if he’d done it hundreds of times before…oh… and then the guys received the call. Darren and Harry were off!
Lynne smiling before the off
Lynne and I just had to wait, as Darren and Harry disappeared out of view and eventually we were instructed to get going….
There were some awkward bits but we managed them without any major problems and soon enough we met the others at the belay point.
Lynne had time for a smile as we approached the belay point
Paddy clipped us onto the sling and the four of us were reunited on a tiny ledge with a huge drop below Good job nobody unclipped the wrong rope….Darren….
While Paddy prepared for the second pitch, we were looking around us – although the views were very limited we were able to see The Drop
Nobody much fancied getting a camera out here so here is an artists impressions
Soon it was time, Paddy disappeared upwards followed by the guys. Lynne and I were left on our ledge and although there was very little wind we were starting to get cold and wondering what on earth Darren and Harry were up to
Eventually we go the call; as last climber I was responsible for collecting the sling which I wound up and we were off. Mostly this section was much easier although on an awkward section near the top I had everyone in stitches as I pioneered a new climbing move – The Starfish, which Darren described as 18 points of contact as I tried to reach a hold Luckily there were no photos of this
Lynne and I nearly there
Climbing up the last bit…
Clipping us all onto another sling, we were all at the top!! It was actually pretty spacious up there
Selfie
The views were on and off…
We all made our way over to the top block and hunkered down in another relatively spacious area. Although we weren’t allowed to climb on top, Paddy offered to arrange the rope so we could touch it as there was nobody else around. Darren was keen and we all figured we may as well be purists
Group shot
Paddy sorting ropes
The main man organising our heroics
Lynne touching the top
Short person problems – finally touching the top!
There was also something else that needed to happen…. “you’re not roped on” I was warned. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell my Mum…”
We were starting to get chilly and we were all…err standing on top of an exposed piece of rock so it was time to get off. Paddy sorted the ropes and it was time for abseiling! This was definitely the best bit….Wheeee!!
Darren about to go over the edge
Harry off…
Good grief, Lynne’s smiling
Lynne, mid-abseil
Me and Paddy probably enjoying some hilarious banter
Me on the way down
It took Paddy about 2 seconds to get down…I guess he’d done it a few times before
We climbed the few metres back to the rucksacks, and looking at my Fenix I realised that it had probably been the most intense 5km of my life Banter was flowing as we enjoyed sandwiches and enviously eyed up Paddy’s flask of coffee We could see two people on the Pinn, the only others we would see all day!
After a nice break, we packed up and headed back down the slabs but continued further. According to Paddy this was the most dodgy bit of the day, but as there were no other people around and the conditions were mostly dry there were no major issues as we carefully made our way downwards.
Paddy pointing out a rockfall
The reason for this descent was to bypass An Stac which would have required more rope action. Reaching the bealach we ditched our packs again as Sgurr Mhic Choinnich was to be an out and back trip from here.
The caption contest – Lynne and I are in disagreement
Out to Bla Bheinn and the Red Cuillin
Jaxter ahead
Paddy led us over some pretty fun terrain as we made our way up Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. Although there were some awkward places there was nothing particularly difficult and we were all having fun.
A wee window with a view
The views were excellent towards the Red Cuillin but the Glen Brittle side was firmly in the clag – it was as if the ridge we were standing on was acting as a buffer
Before long we were at the top and Paddy was able to tell us about the occasion the plaque on top was destroyed by lightning
A few pictures were taken but as the views didn’t seem likely to change we headed back down.
Paddy looking bemused
This was leaving the summit I think
The others descending something tricky, watched over by Paddy
The last summit in the UK to be climbed, according to Paddy
The ridge looking spectacular
Arriving back at the bags, we had a water break before getting ready for the descent. The An Stac screes were our route down. Darren, after his experience on the Stone Chute the day before set off at a trot
I put one foot on the scree and went flying, much to everyone’s amusement. Man down!! We slipped and slid our way down and had a break down the bottom to remove half the mountain from our boots
At the Lochan
From here we made our way past the lochan and we then finally allowed to remove our hats! We were back into the sun and it was a very pleasant but warm walk out back to the Glen Brittle mountain hut.
Loch Brittle
Happy team!
As we happily removed boots and enjoyed the feeling of a successful trip, Lynne produced a birthday cake and a bottle of champagne Lynne, you’re a legend
Darren and Lynne ensuring that none went to waste
Darren, Harry and I headed for the Slig where we treated ourselves to a pub dinner and made plans for the following day. We also bumped into the two people who we saw on the Pinn after us so we stayed for longer than planned. I managed to catch the end of a beautiful sunset before we hit the hay after what had been the best birthday ever
Sunset on the Red Cuillin
And on the Black
Glen Sligachan, home for the night
PART 2
And so it was that I awoke on the morning of my 28th birthday, asleep on the back seat of my car cuddling a pair of (fortunately clean) walking socks Moving back to the front of the car without opening the door (the wind had dropped and all the midges in the world were out ) I headed for Skye. The bad weather from the night before had cleared and it was looking promising.
After a quick stop in Broadford to change and brush my teeth, it was onwards to Sligachan where I met the team at 8.30. The “Team” consisted of Lynne, Darren and myself from last time, Laura had (very cleverly) morphed into Harry, and of course the legend that is Paddy
We headed down to Glen Brittle and Paddy fitted us out with hard hats and harnesses and said we needed to carry two ropes between the 4 of us. With a little encouragement, the two gentlemen Darren and Harry “offered” to carry the ropes on the way up
An impressive waterfall after the previous evenings rainfall
And so we were off Paddy set a nice steady pace; there was barely a breath of wind and we were all sweating furiously. A welcome stream provided an opportunity for a breather and for me to top up my water as I’d forgotten to do it before
Paddy, Darren and Harry
The views out to sea were clearing nicely and looking backing down to Glen Brittle we could see that there were still no cars in the carpark – Paddy said that it was the quietest it had been all season. Bizarre as the weather was good All good for us though….
Rum and Canna
Rum and Eigg
Sgurr Alasdair beginning to appear
A group shot
We plodded on and eventually Paddy told us to put our hats and harnesses on. I was pretty glad of a wee bit of recent rock-climbing experience as I made less of an arse of putting my harness on than the male contingent
Sgurr Alasdair (and the great stone chute) and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich
The whole of the stone chute came into view
Just around the corner the Pinn itself began to come into view. Initially it looked pretty tiny. Don’t know what we were worrying about…
Then it got a bit bigger. Still, no problems…
Then…ah….
So after various discussions about how we could run away without losing face, we were instructed to leave our packs and make our way down to the base of the Pinn. Paddy and Lynne cleverly strapped my camera to me (if I was going up this thing I damn well wanted some evidence )
And we headed downwards, carefully picking our way across slabs to gain the relative safety of the base of the Pinn.
I think this is me asking Paddy how many times he’s been up the Pinn… “Not quite 1000” apparently!!
“Helping” Paddy
Paddy got to work doing a thing with ropes while we all milled around getting in the way. We were paired up and attached to ropes, the men getting first go….
Getting roped up
Paddy scampered off up as if he’d done it hundreds of times before…oh… and then the guys received the call. Darren and Harry were off!
Lynne smiling before the off
Lynne and I just had to wait, as Darren and Harry disappeared out of view and eventually we were instructed to get going….
There were some awkward bits but we managed them without any major problems and soon enough we met the others at the belay point.
Lynne had time for a smile as we approached the belay point
Paddy clipped us onto the sling and the four of us were reunited on a tiny ledge with a huge drop below Good job nobody unclipped the wrong rope….Darren….
While Paddy prepared for the second pitch, we were looking around us – although the views were very limited we were able to see The Drop
Nobody much fancied getting a camera out here so here is an artists impressions
Soon it was time, Paddy disappeared upwards followed by the guys. Lynne and I were left on our ledge and although there was very little wind we were starting to get cold and wondering what on earth Darren and Harry were up to
Eventually we go the call; as last climber I was responsible for collecting the sling which I wound up and we were off. Mostly this section was much easier although on an awkward section near the top I had everyone in stitches as I pioneered a new climbing move – The Starfish, which Darren described as 18 points of contact as I tried to reach a hold Luckily there were no photos of this
Lynne and I nearly there
Climbing up the last bit…
Clipping us all onto another sling, we were all at the top!! It was actually pretty spacious up there
Selfie
The views were on and off…
We all made our way over to the top block and hunkered down in another relatively spacious area. Although we weren’t allowed to climb on top, Paddy offered to arrange the rope so we could touch it as there was nobody else around. Darren was keen and we all figured we may as well be purists
Group shot
Paddy sorting ropes
The main man organising our heroics
Lynne touching the top
Short person problems – finally touching the top!
There was also something else that needed to happen…. “you’re not roped on” I was warned. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell my Mum…”
We were starting to get chilly and we were all…err standing on top of an exposed piece of rock so it was time to get off. Paddy sorted the ropes and it was time for abseiling! This was definitely the best bit….Wheeee!!
Darren about to go over the edge
Harry off…
Good grief, Lynne’s smiling
Lynne, mid-abseil
Me and Paddy probably enjoying some hilarious banter
Me on the way down
It took Paddy about 2 seconds to get down…I guess he’d done it a few times before
We climbed the few metres back to the rucksacks, and looking at my Fenix I realised that it had probably been the most intense 5km of my life Banter was flowing as we enjoyed sandwiches and enviously eyed up Paddy’s flask of coffee We could see two people on the Pinn, the only others we would see all day!
After a nice break, we packed up and headed back down the slabs but continued further. According to Paddy this was the most dodgy bit of the day, but as there were no other people around and the conditions were mostly dry there were no major issues as we carefully made our way downwards.
Paddy pointing out a rockfall
The reason for this descent was to bypass An Stac which would have required more rope action. Reaching the bealach we ditched our packs again as Sgurr Mhic Choinnich was to be an out and back trip from here.
The caption contest – Lynne and I are in disagreement
Out to Bla Bheinn and the Red Cuillin
Jaxter ahead
Paddy led us over some pretty fun terrain as we made our way up Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. Although there were some awkward places there was nothing particularly difficult and we were all having fun.
A wee window with a view
The views were excellent towards the Red Cuillin but the Glen Brittle side was firmly in the clag – it was as if the ridge we were standing on was acting as a buffer
Before long we were at the top and Paddy was able to tell us about the occasion the plaque on top was destroyed by lightning
A few pictures were taken but as the views didn’t seem likely to change we headed back down.
Paddy looking bemused
This was leaving the summit I think
The others descending something tricky, watched over by Paddy
The last summit in the UK to be climbed, according to Paddy
The ridge looking spectacular
Arriving back at the bags, we had a water break before getting ready for the descent. The An Stac screes were our route down. Darren, after his experience on the Stone Chute the day before set off at a trot
I put one foot on the scree and went flying, much to everyone’s amusement. Man down!! We slipped and slid our way down and had a break down the bottom to remove half the mountain from our boots
At the Lochan
From here we made our way past the lochan and we then finally allowed to remove our hats! We were back into the sun and it was a very pleasant but warm walk out back to the Glen Brittle mountain hut.
Loch Brittle
Happy team!
As we happily removed boots and enjoyed the feeling of a successful trip, Lynne produced a birthday cake and a bottle of champagne Lynne, you’re a legend
Darren and Lynne ensuring that none went to waste
Darren, Harry and I headed for the Slig where we treated ourselves to a pub dinner and made plans for the following day. We also bumped into the two people who we saw on the Pinn after us so we stayed for longer than planned. I managed to catch the end of a beautiful sunset before we hit the hay after what had been the best birthday ever
Sunset on the Red Cuillin
And on the Black
Glen Sligachan, home for the night
PART 2