Skye Scrambles - Sgurr a' Mhadaidh

 Sgurr a' Mhadaidh to Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh

Saturday 30th April

After our two hour walk across the extremely dry moor we stood on the Sgurr Thuilm ridge.

In front of us, a huge prow of rock guarding access to the summit of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh. You wonder how on earth you get to the top.

Stan didn't say much as we picked our route through the jumble of rock; 100% concentration was essential!

In places it's a hard and exposed scramble.

On reaching the summit of Sgurr a' Mhadaidh it's a big surprise to find a tilted slab with a crack running along it. With hands on the top and feet in the crack it's an impressive way to reach the top.

All this scrambling has made Andy's hair stand on end!
Seriously - a strong (but warm) easterly wind was howling through the An Dorus gap.

Immediately after the gap there is an easyish 20 foot rock wall to climb. After this it becomes easier for a time and we sheltered out of the gusty wind next to one of the many rock circles on this part of the ridge.

There was a large party of around 10 in front of us, and as we were in no hurry, we gave them some time to move on.

The views toward Sgurr Thormaid and Sgurr na Bannachdich were awesome. The sun was certainly beating down on Skye today. Perfect conditions for this part of the Cuillin

On the Coir' Usig side, the void draws your eye to the hidden jewel of Loch Coruisk, and the mainland beyond.
Bill, waxed lyrically about the prominent Dubh's Ridge to the right of the loch - was he hinting for a visit?

Examining Sgurr a' Mhadaidh behind us revealed that it is a mountain of four summits, fortunately for scramblers the main summit is relatively easy, the other tops requiring 'real' climbing.
In the distance is the north end of the Black Cuillin;
Skye has small but serious hills.

After our snack we made rapid progress, Andy up front thoroughly enjoying route finding, Stan in the middle concentrating on the next move and Bill as back-marker photographer.
Sgurr a Ghreadaidh has twin summits, the route starts to 'narrow up' on the approach to the higher north summit.

Almost everyone chatted a few pleasant words as we passed, suppose that's inevitable as it's precarious!

Stan peered over the tops of his glasses on hearing that another 'interesting bit' was coming up....

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