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For a year or more The Cuillin were the only hills I visited. Couldn't climb, not much of a scrambler, rubbish at routefinding my reckless soloing could only end in tears. Caught out in bad weather on Sgurr a' Mhadaidh's tops I struggled over and down, hurt and very frightened I told myself - no more. This is when others who have the heart for it go on to become climbers and mountaineers - not me. I would like to cultivate some ironic distance /detachment towards all this - but can't.
When I went back I was much more adult about it, careful and cautious aware of my limitations ( nothing too difficult) I had fun when the sun shone, otherwise explored the corries and coast. Lately I've travelled back on the bus to climb the munros alone. Leaving the Inn Pinn for a special occasion meant only 2 to do.
It was 5 30 on sunday when the bus dropped me at Sligachan, I walked over the Bealach a'Mhaim, midge were out so put up my tent at the Glen Brittle site in record time, then slept. Clear and sunny the next morning I had a glorious day climbing over Sgurr Alasdair and Mhic Choinnich using the easiest route (for me).
- walked through Coir a' Ghrunnda for old times sake, wild and beautiful add your own adjectives, straight up towards TD gap, along path to Bealach Sgumain, up chimney and over Alasdair, down chute till wall ends, turn right over nobbly bit then over brown bouldery rib, up the gully with wee scamble at end onto Bealach Mhic Choinnich, along Collie's (Hart's) ledge up to Sgurr Mhic Choinnich then down An Stac Screes- A route fashioned to avoid the stressfull descent off Thearlaich though a super scrambler whizzed by me, Es Tressider like on Alasdair then over Thearlaich to show how easy it can be. Used to having the hills to myself it was a nice change to meet so many people; french, spanish, climbers on King's chimney, and the guided parties who I aways feel a bit sorry for as they are shepherded about.
The Cuillin taught me that I was never going to become a climber or mountaineer, hillwalking with a wee bit of scrambling is just fine...at least for now...till I retire...
- classic view
- Fionn Choire
- Coir'a'Mhadaidh
- Loch Brittle
- Coir'a'Ghrunnda
- chimney to Alasdair
- looking to Sgurr Sgumain
- south
- north
- King's chimney
- Thearlaich
- on Collie's Ledge
- top Sgurr Mhic Choinnich
- descending Mhic Coinnich
- in Coire Lagan
- bit Sron na Ciche
- Loch Brittle
- campsite view
- Glamaig on walk out next day