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The first weekend in June had arrived and we were off to Skye!
It was Saturday morning 6.30am and the big questions were, how would we all feel today? And would the weather be in our favour as suggested by our trusty forecasters? After all we were camped in Glen Brittle and some of us had experienced the unexpected there before. Well fed and watered we nipped from the tents along to the Glen Brittle Hut and ascended towards the waterfall - four of us committed, gelled and savouring the prospects of the day.
- A beautiful waterfall in a vast gorge just 800metres into our walk. We heard the cuckoo and saw it flying eastwards up the slopes above the falls as we headed towards the window buttress on the Sgurr Dearg approach.
- Our campsite below on the beach at Loch Brittle - a fine, fine spot, but beware of the midge and the winds that like to take over from eachother at different times of the day and prey on the lowly campers....he..he!
- Photo of myself and Valerie getting a feel for the Cuillin. (By Redrock)
We had arrived at the Inaccessible Pinnacle, all of us having enjoyed the climb. Three of us were there for the first time and we shared reactions to our expectations. Wonderous and exhilarating it was and we had it to all to ourselves. We were first on the mountain and that felt very, very special. So, it was time to get ropes and the metal out as conditions were good, but you never know how the weather might turn. Eagerly and with care we layered up, had refreshment and nibbles, left our sacks and prepared our boots to grip the Cuillin.
Eerie and atmospheric as it was with the misty clouds, we descended down the scrambling, slabbed and rubble surface of Sgurr Dearg to arrive at the foot of the Pinn. Almost like a curtain unveiling the blue skies appeared. How lucky were we, though there was some mixed opinion about how much of the drop-offs you might want to see? But the wind was barely a breeze and that was real issue to watch.
Ah well, so here we are half way up the back of the In-Pinn fin, it was time to stop and take some panoramic pictures! First across An Stac, Mhic Choinnich and Sgurr Alasdair then one down into Coire Lagan focusing in on vast screes at the foot of the Great Stone Chute - FANTASTIC!
Back on route again we were all soon congregated near the summit, then after a re-jig of the gear we got settled to enjoy some time together sat under the "boulder" tied into the shiny steel chain kindly fitted by the local mountain recue. All fears were gone and there was no rush to leave other than fellow climbers were on their way and would need our spot. A calmness and high spirits descended upon us giving a few moments to relish and remember forever.
I was safely down first onto the gabbro rock slabbed surface at the foot of the Pinn and was able to get a classic view, but this time with familiar faces perched on the top. Soon we would be making the decision what to do next?
All four of us happy with our sacks on our backs again were raring for more adventure. We headed off down below the side of the Pinn for Bealach Coire Lagan with Sgurr Mhic Choinnich in our sights......progress had to be carefully made as the three Cuillin novices in our party (including myself) continued to realise the risks involved here. Basalt rock sections in the mass of Gabbro proved of interest and in wet conditions would be oh so slippy with the gradients involved. Rock falls of recent years presented themselves and the Cuillin environment just exuded threat and charm together in an enchanting cocktail of fun. Respect due and respect offered with each and every step.
Looking back up had to be done very carefully as focus and concentration on what lay ahead became clearly our new prioirty. My next report looks at Sgurr Mhic Choinnich in more detail as this mountain seriously contributed to an exceptionally enjoyable mountain day. Great weather in an awe-inspiring wondeful place and of course made even more special sharing it together with Valerie, Redrock and Steve...we'll be back