Walking

On Saturday, Colin, Sue M, Viktor and I (Sue C) set off for Sgurr Mhic Choinnich.  The sun came and went, the cloud lifted from the summits and, after an hour battling with the An Stac scree, we were up on the ridge.

The ridge from the col.

Viktor looks at the task ahead.

There were very few people about and we had the hill to ourselves.  After scrambling down, we were greeted by Bill who was sunbathing at the col.  We enjoyed the walk down in the evening sun, pausing every now and then to observe the progress of the Cairngorm Club climbers on the Cioch - easy to spot thanks to the Michael C's bright orange trousers.

Looking back where we'd been.

On Sunday, the same team were joined by Robert to ascend Sgurr nan Gillean.  The climb to the ridge via the "tourist route" was much easier though the scramble to the summit had its moments.

Robert and Colin on the way up.

I don't seem to have any summit photos as I was too busy basking in the achievement of getting there and the lovely sunshine.  It was so still, we could hear another party on An Basteir talking.  We spotted Michael (those orange trousers again) and Ivan making progress up Pinnacle Ridge. 

Looking relieved at having made it safely down the ridge.

On both days we enjoyed a restorative beveridge at the Carbost pub, before returning to the bunkhouse for showers and dinner. 

Leaving Skye on Monday morning after a great weekend.

Climbing

Saturday, myself  (Chris W), Matt, Robert, Michael, Rod and Forbes headed into Coire Lagan to climb.  Matt and myself came up with a plan to connect up some classic routes up the Sron na Ciche, starting with the 7 pitch Cioch West, then up onto the Cioch via Cioch Nose.  After lunch on the Cioch a short abseil onto the shelf before climbing the 4 star classic route Integrity to the top of Sron na Ciche. 

Here is Matt on the belay of the first pitch of Cioch West, with Rod following up on the first pitch.

Matt combining pitch 3 and 4 together of Cioch West.  About to start the "memorable hand traverse above a void"   to reach the belay of pitch 4.

Matt on the steep wall of pitch 7 of Cioch Nose with the Cioch above.

Matt at the top of Cioch West with the Cioch Nose behind.  Robert in the red trousers and Michael in the orange trousers (just visible in a cave) at the top of Cioch Gully. 

Matt on top of the Cioch playing with the in-situ swords which are stored in a crack on the top. for visitors who want to re-enact the scene from the 1986 film The Highlander.

The view of the Cioch from the start of Integrity, a 4 star Classic Rock route

Matt on the crux of the steep section of pitch 2 of Integrity

We reached the top at the same time Robert and Michael finished their climb, so after sorting out our gear and admiring the views we headed down the hill together.

On Sunday Matt and I headed up to Neist Point to climb on the superb cliffs on the most westerly tip of the Island.  New routes are still being recorded on the extensive range of cliffs along the coast here and the new SMC guide documents them well. We had the place all to ourselves. We decided to head down to the lower tier of cliffs at Destitution Point.

Matt on the fourth route in the area that completes a fine selection of routes called, Haggis, Neeps, Tatties and Wee Dram.

Matt preparing to abseil into Destitution Point area of Neist Point. The main band of climbing cliffs can be seen higher up.

At the end of a fine days climbing at Neist Point