Skye Day 2

[bootsandpaddles]

Day 2

I picked Graham up at Carbost at 8am and we trundled on down to Glen Brittle. It promised to be another great day as we set out through the campsite and climbed steadily up the hillside making for Coir’ a’ Ghrunnda. We could hear stags roaring and eventually they came into view. They bellowed impressively for a while and then advanced towards each other while we stood and watched, waiting for the clash of antlers. However, it didn’t come to blows and one stag just walked off. Coir’ a’ Ghrunnda is a magic place, surrounded by peaks and with views across to Eigg and Rum.

Rum

The waters of the lochan were an amazing colour.

Entering Coir' a' Ghrunnda

Coir' a' Ghrunnda

We left our rucksacks and scrambled up to the summit of Sgurr nan Eag.

Sgurr nan Eag

This gives great views of the southern end of the ridge and Loch Coruisk and we could see the boats from Elgol going in and out far below.

Loch Coruisk and Bla Bheinn

The Inn Pinn

Returning to our rucksacks we carried on along the ridge towards Sgurr Dubh Mor. The scrambling here was superb although I would never have found the route without Graham leading the way. From the summit we could see the weather coming in across the sea so we decided to go for Sgurr Alasdair before stopping for lunch.

Descending from Sgurr Dubh Mor

We skirted round above scree slopes and past the Thearlaich Dubh Gap before climbing up a chimney which brought us out fairly near the summit.

Sgurr Alastair

A short distance further on and we came to the top of the dreaded (by me anyway!) Great Stone Chute. I just love scree!! We paused for a quick bite to eat as the snow started to fall and then plunged on down the chute. I must say I didn’t enjoy it much but it is a fairly quick way down. The snow continued to fall as we made our way down through Coire Lagan and back to Glen Brittle.

[Rudolph]

Thanks for this great report.

It brings back lots of memories of our trip in May - most of which are happy but some (terror and the great stone chute) are not so great.