About the Author
Adrian is a mountain guide and photographer living on Skye. He has been climbing since the 1980s with a CV that includes Alpine north faces, big walls in Yosemite and first ascents on the White Cliffs of Dover.
After a BA in history from King’s College London, Adrian devoted himself to climbing and photography. Jobs were often temporary and a means to finance climbing trips. His work in the outdoor industry included 12 years at Ogwen Cottage in Snowdonia, one of the few places in the UK to regularly take secondary school students multi-pitch climbing.
Adrian and his wife, Bridgette, live at the foot of the Cuillin and feel they are living their dream life. Together, they run a guiding and photography company, All Things Cuillin, and have set up the very popular Facebook group of the same name.
SKYE’S CUILLIN RIDGE TRAVERSE
Strategies, advice, detailed topo booklet and 10 classic scrambles
by Adrian Trendall
JUNIPER HOUSE, MURLEY MOSS,
OXENHOLME ROAD, KENDAL, CUMBRIA LA9 7RL
© Adrian Trendall 2020
First edition 2020
ISBN 9781783628124
Printed in China on responsibly sourced paper on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.
Warning! Climbing and scrambling can be dangerous
Climbing and scrambling can be dangerous activities carrying a risk of personal injury or death. It should be undertaken only by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them. Mountaineers should be appropriately equipped for the routes undertaken. Whilst every care and effort has been taken in the preparation of this book, the user should be aware that conditions are highly variable and can change quickly. Holds may become loose or fall off, rockfall can affect the character of a route, and in winter, snow and avalanche conditions must be carefully considered. These can materially affect the seriousness of a scramble, tour or expedition.
Therefore, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law, neither Cicerone nor the author accept liability for damage of any nature including damage to property, personal injury or death arising directly or indirectly from the information in this book.
Updates to this guide
While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/1043/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RL, United Kingdom.
Register your book: To sign up to receive free updates, special offers and GPX files where available, register your book at www.cicerone.co.uk.
Front cover: Perfect weather for the Bad Step on Am Basteir
CONTENTS
Overview map
Climbing, scrambling and ropework
Route 2 The Spur, Sgurr an Fheadain
Route 3 South South East Buttress, Sgurr na Stri
Route 4 Thuilm Ridge, Sgurr a’ Mhadaidh
Route 5 South Ridge, Sgurr Coir’ an Lochain
Route 8 Pinnacle Ridge, Sgurr nan Gillean
Route 9 Clach Glas – Bla Bheinn Traverse
Route 10 Central South Buttress, An Caisteal
THE CUILLIN TRAVERSE IN WINTER