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Sgurr na Stri…a hill that both Malcy and I had camped on before, separately, but the forecast was looking so good I suggested it might be worth a punt. Also,
last time I’d been there I’d had a camera failure and had come away with rubbish phone photos so was keen to rectify this (I took a spare as well this time

) We’d been thinking of heading to Skye from Applecross anyway, and this sealed the deal.
Sgurr na Stri Mark II, it was on


Sligachan was busy with tourists but before long we were far enough along the track that they were well behind us. Marsco looked incredible up ahead with Sgurr Hain and Sgurr na Stri itself just visible in the far distance


Magnificent Marsco

We walked on – under the crags of Marsco

As we picked up a little height we could see one of the two lochans that are on either side of the watershed (info from a local last time I was here!) and the Cuillin Ridge in the background


Pinnacle Ridge

Bla Bheinn

It was such a hot day we were a little worried about getting enough water – I’d had a similar panic last time and filled up far too early and found a burn close to the top. But we decided to top up early anyway, and by the time we were on the ridge we were carrying a lot (I say we…due to my injury Malcy was carrying way more than his fair share of stuff

)
Height gained – looking back to Ruadh Stac and Marsco

The final climb to the ridge was steep and tough – I was trying so hard to go slowly to avoid aggravating things (more!) but I was so excited

Sgurr Hain was prominent and I forgot how set back from it Sgurr na Stri itself is


Bla Bheinn and Garbh Bheinn

Pinnacle Ridge reflecting in the water – everything was so still


And then…after glimpses of it all the way along we were finally treated to a view of the whole ridge – magnificent


Struggling to fit it all in


Sgurr Hain and Sgurr na Stri…a long way!

From here we ignored the path down to Loch Coruisk and followed the less obvious branch around the base of Sgurr Hain and up Sgurr na Stri. Where the slabs ought to have made things easier, the big bag, short legs and injured muscle were making things awkward for wee Jaxter. Malcy stopped at a burn to top up more water and I plodded on, seemingly endlessly upwards, until I saw over the edge and suddenly nothing really mattered any more


Malcy appearing over the edge with Gillean behind

Maybe they’ve come to give us a lift to the top?


And then, after what felt like hours (nearly 4!) we were there. The packs were dumped and we were able to enjoy the wonderful views – absolutely worth the effort (but there was never any doubt of that

). I wanted to jump around with excitement


Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin Ridge

It was hazy out to sea but the views of Eigg were still awesome


What. A. View


It was time to pitch the tent and get some tea on – despite the oppressive heat earlier it was relatively breezy up top


I have tea so I’m happy!

Bla Bheinn and Garbh Bheinn

The sun was beginning to drop behind the ridge


If you’re not here you probably hate me

Tea minion

Taking a turn at being tea minion
Had to be done!

The sun dropping between Sgurr nan Eag and Sgurr Dubh Mor


Eigg


With the sun gone it was chilly (it was only April afterall

) so we got sleeping bag cloaks out and made dinner


All was still and quiet, we were alone on our hill

We could see one torch light down at Loch Coruisk but it was amazing to be so far away from the crowds

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following morning my alarm went off, and I had to remind myself where I was! Then I needed to pee, but once that was dispensed with I was able to drag my camera out and enjoy the pre-sunrise glow


Malcy enjoying the views

Jaxter modelling sleeping bag cloak


Due to the haze I wouldn’t sure how much of a sunrise we’d get but we were pleasantly surprised when a giant glowing ball of sun appeared




The sun up, we were crossing our numb fingers for the magical alpenglow on the Cuillin that we’d both experienced on our previous trips….and it was starting to happen




The mainland – a bit too hazy for detail


Bla Bheinn and Garbh Bheinn


The glow was done, the sun was up and we were both cold and tired so went back to sleep for a few hours

When we woke up it was definitely time for breakfast and as we sat around in the sunshine we started to be joined by the first few day visitors who were quite envious of our camp spot




Zoomed to The Storr – just visible through the haze


We spent a while doing a recce for a future trip up Gars-Bheinn – too big a day for an injured Jaxter now but one we were both keen for…

A big bird – someone might be able to tell me what it is


The Inn Pinn


Pinnacle Ridge and the Northern Cuillin

Am Basteir

Sgurr Dubh Mor

The Bad Step is down there somewhere….and some wonderful almost Hebridean green sea


Gars-Bheinn, Sgurr an Eag & Sgurr Dubh Mor

Eventually it was time to leave – we were running low on water and it was going to take us another 4 hours to walk out – possibly more if I got sore when I started moving again

The first section was actually easier in descent, and we managed to lose the path so decided to go looking for the monument marked on the map. Captain Maryon who went missing in 1946 was believed to have lain on this spot for 2 years before being found.

Druim nam Ramh and the Cuillin Ridge

Northern Cuillin

We found the path again and from here it felt like a long way home….

Bla Bheinn and Loch na Creiteach

Marsco, the 2 watershed lochans and the long way ahead


Pinnacle ridge

Tired but still smiling


Lochans at closer quarters

The Inn Pinn!

We had a stop for some food – we had extra rations as Malcy eats a lot

We slowly plodded on – although I wasn’t as sore as I’d expected I did feel exhausted; a combination of heat and losing all my fitness being injured seemed to be catching up with me


Eventually we were at the car – it had actually taken us longer on the way out

Still, exhausted but absolutely over the moon – how lucky were we to get a second shot at Sgurr na Stri. And I didn’t even break my camera this time
Next day - a little more relaxed!