Sunday 2 May 2010

Skye Scrambles

Carrie and Malcom Traversing around to the Inn Pinn

Carrie approaching the belay on the Inn Pinn


I have just got back from the weekend on Skye with Malcom and Carrie. Yesterday (Sat), we walked up the ridge that brings you out on the West side of the Inn Pinn (Inaccessible Pinnacle - Sgurr Dearg). It was raining lightly on the way up and we quickly entered the cloud. We were hoping that the cloud would clear, but it seemed set. We got kitted up and scrambled down to the start of the Pinn. I set off and soon found that there was more rime ice than I wanted on the route. I cracked on, but had to take my gloves off half way up the first to stop my hands sliding off the wet and icy rock. Lucily the rest of the route to the top was not as bad. After getting down and grabbing a bite to eat as we decided what we would do next, the sun came out and the ridge cleared. We decided to head over Sgurr na Banachdich then back down the ridge into the corie below at down to the youth hostel.
I woke up this morning to a clear veiw of Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir and Bruach na Frìthe. Unfortunately, they had all had a dusting of snow. With the weather ment to improve, we decided to take on our option for today of a traverse of Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Basteir. All things went well, even with the little bit of snow and rime around. After Am Basteir we can back down the col before it rained. Result.
Carrie and Malcom Scrambling up the East side of Sgurr nan Gillian
Carrie coming through an Icy window on Sgurr nan Gillian

Malcom and Carrie on top of Am Basteir

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