SKYE MUNROS

Bruach na Frithe

Dave and 8 of his pals from St. Albans have been coming out with me for the last 4 years, always in May. Their first trip was in The Cairngorms and a couple of years ago we had a fabulous day on Liathach. They have always had beautiful clear skies and warm sunshine. This years venue was the Cuillin of Skye.

Dave and the boys

This year they fancied two days of experiencing the Munros on the Cuillin Ridge. Ben was helping me out with the lager than normal group of 9 folk. Friday was an absolute stunner of a day. Beautiful clear skies and warm sunshine. Our day set off from the Sligachan Hotel with views all the way along our route into the Fionn Choire of Bruach na Frithe. The boys love their wild camping so I chose this coire as there aren't many grassy corries in The Cuillin!

One our into the walk and Andys' boots started parting

Poor Andy, after an hour the soles of his boots started parting company with the upper. A roll or two of gaffa tape was all that was required to sort him out!

The classic view of Sgurr nan Gillean from Sligachan

Spencer & Dave enjoying the scrambling

After pitching the tents in the coire we set off up the hill in the afternoon. The finest way up onto Bruach na Frithe is via the excellent NW ridge. The upper section has some scrambling or you can easily avoid this by taking a path just below the crest.

Dave on the upper section

Cliff on the ridge

The fun is over as the ridge finishes directly on the summit of Bruach na Frithe. Regarded by many has the finest viewpoint on the Cuillin ridge. Today it certainly was. T-shirt conditions on top. After soaking in the views Ben took Dave, Spencer and Russ on Am Basteir whilst I lead the rest of the group over to Sgurr a Bhasteir, a fine viewpoint (again).

Am Basteir & Basteir Tooth

Looking to Sgurr nan Gillean and Am Baisteir

Sgurr a' Basteir

The summit of Sgurr a' Bhasteir gives a fine view of the Pinnacle Ridge of on Sgurr nan Gillean. Another spot to linger for 30 minutes in the glorious sunshine.

Pinnacle Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean

We descended into the coire and a fine evening for lazing outside the tents on the lovely dry grass in sunshine. Coffee and cake in the Cuillin. The double Munro team were soon with us and we enjoyed some more banter.

Our camp

A fine evening

and fine sunset

We were treated to a  beautiful sunset from just above our camp spot at 500m.
The fine spell of weather which most of the Highlands has enjoyed sadly came to an abrupt end early hours of Saturday morning. Light rain and stiff breeze on the tents. We packed up and headed down to Sligachan. The guys headed into the hotel for a well earned full breakfast.  The hotel very accomodating to last minute orders!

High up on Sgurr an Eag

Summit ridge

After a big feed we decided on Sgurr nan Eag for the boys second day out on the Black Cuillin. This summit is the final Munro on the South end of the Cuillin ridge. We had light drizzly rain on and off during our late morning outing.

The boys on Sgurr nan Eag 

Great views,  despite the cloud

Despite the rain we never actually got wet, it was evaporating as fast as raining. It's a long trek into the wonderful Coire Ghrunnda but much easier going across the peaty ground now that there is a fine path.

Descending into the coire

The flower of the high Cuillin,  Roseroot 

More daytime banter and laughs turned into more laughs and banter in the evening at the Sligachan Hotel. Brilliant finish to a brilliant couple of days with these fun guys. Never a dull moment and enthusiasm sky high. Thanks for a great weekend boys.
Big thanks to Ben who was working with me over the last two days.
See you next year Dave, Mike, Spencer, Russ, Andy, John, Shaun, Cliff & Mark. Same time, same weather,  another fabulous Scottish mountains area.