Back problems

After getting back from Scotland, Jos's back has been playing up again! No problem doing 3000ft peaks with scrambling, but bend over to do some weeding and 'ouch'.
A new mattress has arrived along with a book on Pilates (recommended by Braz) and last night, a trip into IKEA to look at new furniture. Perhaps we should be living in the tent...
A monday night 'Mary' session in the Black Bull in Blaydon at least meant Jos got some Guinness and so didn't have to take any codeine!

Travelling home

Tuesday and it's time to be getting back. Wet weather all the way to Sterling where we met up with John & Penny - friends from our trip to Nepal a few years ago. After reminiscing over munros (they've done them all plus almost all the tops) and then more discussion about geocaching (their new hobby and mine from some years ago), it's time to hit the road back to Hudsriding.

Aonach Eagach

Aonoch Eagach - words that strike terror into many a budding munroist! But after the Skye peaks, just how difficult is it?
After being dropped off at the start of the path by Braz (thanks Braz!) and a steady climb up to Am Bodach, then a delicate little down climb, we soon made our way across to the 1st munro - Meall Dearg. Then the fun really begins - up and down pinnacles, chimneys, gullies and slabs - all part of the fun with some hefty drops to the valley floor below. No rope required however and all too soon we've reached the end of the difficulties, leaving only Sgorr nam Fiannaidh to climb and then a long descent back to the campsite
A final meet up with Braz that evening in the Clachaig Inn and all that's left is to get home...

Greener than Skye!

One of the easy sections

and one of the harder sections

Looking back

A long drop down to the bottom

Glencoe

Back along the whole ridge

Last view ofGlencoe village

Sgurr nan Gillean

Sunday and we set off once again from the Sligachan, this time to get the last munro on Skye - Sgurr nan Gillean!
A long walk in through Coire Riabhach leads up scree and onto the south east ridge.
We roped up for the last section, but it wasn't really necessary as the way up is very straightforward, then surprise, surprise - we reach the top just as Winky does from the west ridge!
We decide to follow her (and her clients) back down the west ridge to grab one more good section of the ridge. With some exposed moves around blocks and an easy gully to descend we are all too soon saying our goodbyes again! Winky went off to do Am Bhasteir (again!) and we made our way back to the pub.
Braz offered to meet up with us in Glencoe the next day and give us a lift up the road to the start of Aonach Eagach - what a fellow!

Strange boulders on the way up

Braz on south east ridge pitch - we did this to add some spice to the route - Shirley looks worried!

Strange boulders at the top. We had to go through the 'eye' to get onto the west ridge.

Look who's here!

A group photo at last!

Braz down climbing the gully. That's me at the top giving some protection.

Winky couldmn't resist taking another shot of Shirley descending!

and she still looks worried!

Final shot of calm conditions before we hit the pub...

Bla Bheinn

Saturday and we decide to go for Blaven (Bla Bheinn) on our 'day off'! Good weather in the campsite (again!) delayed our start - a mistake! Again, the cloud is down by the time we reach the top, but we did get a few brief glimpses of the main ridge which looks spectacular from Blaven.
On the way back to the campsite, we liaise with Braz to arrange the next day when we hope to get up Sgurr nan Gillean.

Fine weather to start the day

but the ridge is in cloud by mid-day

Views to the south

The North End

3 more peaks at the north end of the ridge to do, Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir and Bruach na Frithe.
The day started off fine, but soon deteriorated into wet and windy conditions on the ridge. After climbing up into Coire a Bhasteir from Sligachan it didn't look promising for completing the 3. Initial thoughts were to climb up the ridge onto Gillean but the weather may preclude coming back down to get to the other two. Jos suggested we miss out Gillean as we could do this ourselves on another day and that is what we did. A slippery traverse / scramble with a short down climb on wet basalt got us to the top of Am Bhasteir. Back down and a traverse under Bhasteir and the tooth got us onto the Bruach na Frithe. Back down to the 'Slig' for a well deserved pint and we say our farewells to Winky who is guidng others over the weekend

Fine start to the day

The only other picture for the day - wet gear says it all!

3 Peaks

A big day ahead - the 3 munros at the south end of the ridge. This involved a walk into the dramatic Coir a'Ghrunnda and an easy climb up onto the first munro of the day, Sgurr nan Eag. Then followed some scrambling to get onto Sgurr Dubh Mor. A chimney opens the way onto Sgurr Alasdair, Skye's highest munro and then a dramatic descent down the great stone shoot back into Coire Lagan.

Braz and Shirl

Is that spam?....

Easy stuff to scramble up

Harder stuff to scramble up (and down)

Looking across to Sgurr Alasdair

Where we have just been

View of An Stac screes from the Great Stone Shoot

Narrow part of the stone shoot

Figures on the An Stac screes... somewhere!

Coire a'Ghreadaidh

Like Monday, the day started with the walk up from the youth hostel to An Dorus, 'the door' and like monday, the weather has closed in. This time however, we turn right to get to the top of Sgurr Ghreadaidh. Once at the top, the decision is taken to continue to the next munro, Sgurr na Banachdich. This involves an airy scramble along a fine part of the ridge which more than makes up for the weather! No pictures however due to the nature of the terrain!
Evening brings clearer weather, midges and the corncrake in the field next to the tent!

View down from the ridge

Back at the campsite - sunny here!

The Inn Pin

Tuesday looked the most promising day of the week for weather so we decided to go for the 'Inn Pin' - the blade of rock making up the only munro needing climbing skills to get to the top. Carolyn decided to give the day a miss. While the weather cleared we made our way up the side of the An Stac screes to Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, itself not the easiest munro to get to. Then it was on to the Innaccessible Pinnacle which we had to ourselves...

On the way into Coire Lagan

Dramatic weather and we have to get up it!

View back to the 'Inn Pin'

Shirley never misses a photo opportunity!

Jos and Braz watching Winky on the top pitch

Here's some others on the way up

and Jos on the way down

Nearly done!

Self satisfied dog - 'Ive done the Inn Pin'!

View across to the Cioch

Weather cleared to show campsite and Outer Hebrides

Sgurr a'Mhadaidh

Starting off

Monday starts clagged in with low cloud. Our party consists of Winky (guide), Braz, Carolyn, Jos, me and Shirley (the dog) but soon Carolyn was struggling to keep the pace, not that we were going particularly fast. Today was to be possibly 3 munros, more likely 2 because of the weather, but as it turned out we only managed one as Carolyn was clearly having some trouble.

Shirley being 'Loaded up'!

Could be Lord of the Rings

First views of Skye

An easy drive down Glen Shiel and Skye is in view at last, then views from Sligachan and Glenbrittle. Looks promising...

The Cuillins and Skye bridge seen from the mainland

The views get more dramatic

Basteir tooth

View from campsite