At last, I have got round to doing this!  Its been on the to-do list for quite a while!  Caroline was super keen to try it, as was I.  It was a perfect finale to her 4 days of adventurous mountaineering.  We made the full classic loop.  Over Sgurr nan Each, which should not be missed out, some fantastic scrambling there.  Over Clach Glas, just brilliant.  It felt nicely sustained and continuously interesting.  We also took a super-direct line up the final tower which was brilliant.  We made our way onto the Summit of Blabheinn after 2pm before making our way back to the car for a farewell.  Probably one of the best sections of ridge on Skye.  If you haven't done it then you must!  Go and do it!  This week I have been working for Skye Guides.

Today it was more rain.  Slightly less than yesterday so Caroline and I headed for the mountains.  Far too wet for a camera though.  The winds were up so we sought shelter up in Coire na Creiche which is approached via the beautiful Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye.  We had a couple of options but finally settled on South Gully (Severe) on Glaich Moire Face.  This is a huge gully which reminded me very much of Clachaig Gully except this was much wetter! We moved in and out of the gully on the initial stages but had some great sustained climbing on super clean rock before being barred by the crux.  A smooth chimney which needs front and back footing.  Today it was a gushing waterfall so we moved onto the slabs too the left.  We eventually ended on the ridge west of Bidean Druim nan Ramh so we refuelled and headed over the 3 tops.  Fortunately the rain had subsided a little so it didn't feel too bad.  Usually I always avoid this section in the wet but Caroline was climbing incredibly well.  We proceeded onto An Caisteal and eventually onto Bruach na Frithe before making our way down the North-West Ridge and scree running down to the Fairy Pools.  Despite the weather, there were some brave youngsters out enjoying the perfect natural swimming pools!  Another brilliant day on Skye, a new area for me and some very challenging conditions.

Initially we spent the day indoors looking at ropework and drinking tea and after lunch Caroline and I headed out to brave the weather. Strong winds and constant rain kept hitting up. We opted for a wee sea cliff which gave us relative shelter to put the skills into practice. Hopefully tomorrow improves.

A brilliant day. I have wanted to climb Pinnacle Ridge on Skye for quite a while. I did it in winter years ago but never done it in summer. I was out with Caroline who is quite keen to do a ridge traverse later this week. After summiting we climbed up onto Am Bastier as well as the tooth. Then abseiled kings cave chimney before walking up Bruach na Frithe. A brilliant day on skye!

Check the map before the mist

Our final day and it was a race against the clock. All hell was due to break loose after mid day. We had an early start on the North section so we could get the tricky peaks done first. Fortunately we were able to do Sgurr nan Gillean via the West ridge and Am Basteir before the rain came in.. When it did come in, so did the rain. From Bruach na Frithe we got blasted by what felt like a pressure washer. All the way to the car at Sligachan. Every stitching on our external clothing was wet, for some, internal stitching also. We walked for about 2 hours in the heavy rain and wind. I have to say it felt very satisfying knowing that we had timed things perfectly. Finishing off in the rain was quite a refreshing finale and definitely didn't put a damper onto the enthusiasm of Martin, Nick and James. Fantastic effort by all 3, we really did battle some very foul weather where I know a lot of folk would have ran away to the pub. Looking forward to seeing you guys on the hills again.  This week I have been working for Moran Mountain.

Sgurr nun Gillean

Am Basteir

Whiskey on Bruach na Frithe!

James on the approach to the Inn Pin

Today was the only day with a promising forecast so it was a no brainer to save the Inaccessible Pinnacle. After 2 days of not seeing a soul in the mountains we caught a team up on the In Pinn and another team followed us up. The ravens destroyed somebody's lunch again, its not a myth, they can open zips and Tupperware boxes. Seal everything up and put rocks on your bags. We went on to ascend MhicChoinnich, which again we had all to ourselves. It was amazing to see the place so quiet.   

Sgurr Alasdair

The Inn Pin

Top of the world

Sgurr MhicChonnich

Making sure we all know where we are before we head into the cloud

James, Martin and Nick on Sgurr a' Mhadaidh

Another wet and windy day was on the cards so I opted for the mid section with James, Nick and Martin. Fortunately the conditions were not as bad as the forecast had suggested. The 40mph winds did not hit us and the rain just came and went in passing showers. For a second day, the chaps have had no views of the Cuillin, just a few valley openings here and there. Enough to get a feeling of the exposure. Also for a second day running we didn't encountered any other mountaineers, understandably, as it was weather for only people who know the intricate detail of the Cuillin. We ascended into a misty An Doras and started the day on Sgurr a' Mhadaidh. The rock was greasy and the winds had picked up. After we reached Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh we tested the ridge proper but felt it was a bit too serious so dropped into the Glen Brittle side for slightly more amenable progress. We arrived on Sgurr na Banachdich as the rain descended onto us and the wind picked up. We decided to drop down to a more sheltered spot for a wee drink and snack before our final descent back to the youth hostel. The ridge of Sgurr nan Gobhar was on the cards but as it was wet and greasy we just headed down Coire an Eich for a hassle free descent. Another brilliant day. Hopefully tomorrow will bring less rain!

Nick, James and Martin on Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh

Sgurr na Banachdich in the foul weather

James put holes in his gloves, Nick put holes in his fingers and my hands went yellow from my yellow gloves!

Eerie Coire lagan.  Can you see the Cioch?

Into Coire Ghrundha

Today is the 1^st day of 4 with James, Nick and Martin who are aiming to complete all the Munro's. Martin is well over 200 and has all the Skye Munro's to do. So with 4 days to complete them we got busy today. Unfortunately the weather was horrendous. High winds and pretty much constant rain. Double set of waterproofs would have been a good idea. I decided we would do the Southern 3 Munro's as this requires limited time exposed on the ridge proper. When we were exposed, it was never too difficult. We were up on Sgurr nan Eag after 3 hours from leaving the car, the rain hadn't hit us yet. However en-route out to Sgurr Dubh Mor, we were hit. Hit hard. Our waterproofs put up a good fight but it was only a matter of time. Boots were soaked, rope doubled its weight and clearly I need to replace my waterproof trousers. Our ascent onto Sgurr Alasdair was slow and steady, the rock was greasy and very wet. On the summit we had no view, which has been the same on every other summit. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Our first summit in pea soup

Seeking shelter in the cave...a little damp!

Down the great stone shoot