Skye; The Cuillins: Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (277), Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh (185) [and Sgurr na Bannadich (190)]

Walk date: 15/06/09
My Munro #'s: 177 and 178

Pronunciations - translations - heights:
Skoor a vaady - peak of the fox - 918m

Skoor a ghraytee - peak of torment - 973m

Skoor na banachteech - smallpox peak - 965m

Statistics:
Duration - 09:00-16:00
Weather - perfect again! Light winds and heat; got a little sunburnt!
Team - with guided group.
Other hikers: a few but quiet again.

Paul P and George Skye Trip 2009 - Day 2 (Monday)

Another beautiful day and another satisfying two new Munros. Heading up toward An Doras (the doorway) from Glenbrittle gave us no real problems and allowed us to dump our bags as we branched off for Sgurr a' Mhadaidh and its easy scrambling.

Once back in An Doras we climbed to its top and a couple of tricky moves got us up onto the northeast ridge of Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh. Easy walking followed with nice avoidance routes of scary outcrops of rock leading to the summit.

The next section was billed as the hardest part of the day and equivalent to Aonach Eagach!! However, exposed as it was it seemed absolutely fine to me, at least in dry and clear weather, and we were soon sat on Sgurr Thoramid for a rest.

A short tight path onward lead to the back of Banachdich and more easy walking followed to its top. Having been on this peak before but in dense cloud, I was very happy to take in glorious views all around, especially to the nearby In Pin.

The return home was the ascent route from my time there before which is a fine route but with a lot of tiring loose stone. A fine pint in the Sligachan Hotel afterward made up for it however!

Coire An Doras, and more scree!

An Doras approaches:

Lonely Sgurr Thuilm off the main ridge:

Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh from Sgurr a' Mhadaidh:

Getting to the top of An Doras:
Loch Coruisk looking good:


Two Munros done, time for a sit-down:

Bla Bheinn in the distance, Skye's non-Cuillin Munro:

Sharp routes along the ridge:
Why walk when you can run?

Hang on tight now!

And then some:

Banachdich comes into view with Thoramid

in the foreground:

The southern end with the In Pin poking above Dearg:

A flat spot on the ridge and a leisurely lunch in the sun:
Banachdich next up:

I love these paths!

The ridge does not lack impressive drops:

A bit of peak-spotting:

Evening sun on the Cuillins once down safe: