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Cuillin Ridge | Black
Cuillin traverse
 This
is without question the most rugged and extensive high mountain
ridge in the British Isles and would provide a logical continuation
from the Fort William based ridge scrambling weeks. The programme
includes simple rock climbing to the grade of 'Difficult',
abseiling and 'moving together' roped. During the week an
attempt will be made to visit all of the 'Munro' summits on
the main ridge. In the event of poor weather, climbs on other
areas of the island will be made. Experience of roped climbing
is not essential, however the course is aimed at fit hillwalkers
who have an enthusiasm to visit steep and exposed mountain
areas. N.B. A traverse of the main ridge over two or three
days with a bivouac is only attempted with individuals or
small groups who know each other, on a private guiding basis
in order to achieve the greatest chance of success. The group
should be fit and able to move confidently on steep broken
ground at a reasonable pace. In the event of poor weather
a return to a valley base will be made with a re-ascent the
following day.
- £325.00 (instruction only)...£360.00
(Camping)...£400.00 (Independent Hostel)...£450.00
(B&B)
Based at either Sligachan, Portnalong or Carbost,
all types of accommodation are available. Please ask for more
details of prices to suit your style of accommodation.
- Croft Bunkhouse and Bothies
Croft Bunkhouse provides a good base for the budget-minded
mountaineer exploring the Cuillin ridge. There is a good
pub nearby with fine bar meals.
Visit the website:
Croft Bunkhouse
- Sligachan Hotel
The Sligachan Hotel is a famous mountaineers hotel, fifteen
minutes drive from Portree. A wide selection of good beers
and whisky are complimented by an excellent range of bar
food, from breakfast to evening meals.There is a campsite
and Bunkhouse/Hostel just over the road.
Visit the website:
Sligachan
- Waterfront Bunkhouse
The Waterfront Bunkhouse in Carbost is a good spot to stay.
close to the famous Talisker Whisky distillery, the village
of Carbost also has a variety of B&B's plus the Carbost
Inn, which is next door to the bunkhouse and overlooks Loch
Harport sea loch.
Visit the website: The Old Inn Carbost
Coaches travel from Glasgow to Skye -
Skye-Ways Coaches (01599) 4328 or (01463) 710119 A coach service
from England/Glasgow/Fort William travels to Portree or a
rail service runs along the beautiful Kyle line via Edinburgh
or Glasgow and Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh A lift is possible
from either Fort William or Kyle of Lochalsh by prior arrangement
with the instructor running the course. Contact
Alan Kimber for details.
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 The
Isle of Skye has a very special magic all of its own. The
views from the main Black Cuillin ridge are truly magnificent
and enhanced by the sea of the Inner Hebrides. On a good day
it is not unusual to see the whole of the Hebrides (The Long
Island) laid out on the western horizon from Barra to Lewis,
whilst to the south east the unmistakable hump of Ben Nevis
might also be visible. This is without question the most rugged
and extensive high mountain ridge in the British Isles and
would provide a logical continuation from the Fort William
based ridge scrambling weeks.
As a mountain range the Black Cuillin of Skye
are a unique challenge to mountaineers in the British Isles.
The whole ridge is around 13 km in length plus 7 km approach
and descent and never descends below 726 metres. In its length
there are some twenty peaks of 914m (3,000ft) of which eleven
achieve ‘Munro’ status. Traversing the ridge in
a single outing involves around 3,000 metres of ascent
Unrelenting effort, considerable exposure and
technical scrambling, plus abseiling and simple rock climbing
are the order of the day. Because of this the traverse is
not recommended to people who only consider themselves to
be ‘hillwalkers’.
 To
achieve success on a traverse attempt, those taking part should
be both fit and capable of sustaining two hard days which
involve 11kms (13 hours) on the first day and 9 kms (9 hours)
on the second day. A bivouac in Coire na Banachdich is arranged
near a stream.
The Bivouac is pre-stocked with food, stove
and pots, mugs, spoons, plates, groundsheet and tarpaulin
plus sleeping mats. All the client needs to carry on the traverse
attempt is a sleeping bag plus waterproofs and gloves, hat
and spare clothing, food and water and a rope. A typical traverse
rucsac should weigh no more than 9 kgs (20lb). This reduces
as water (2 litres) and food is consumed. It may even be possible
to pre-place the sleeping bag by arrangement.
A traverse
of the main ridge over two days with a bivouac is only attempted
with individuals or pairs who know each other, on a private
guiding basis in order to achieve the greatest chance of success.
The cost reflects the amount of work involved
for the guide. This includes a day spent stocking the bivouac
site, two days and a night on the ridge plus a day of recovery
from what is a very demanding outing. All the guides travel,
Skye Bridge toll expenses, plus clients bivouac food, cooking
gas and bivouac contents are included in the price.
- £540.00 ( 1 or 2 people) - £600
(3 people) - £650 (4 people)
In the event of bad weather, alternative dates,
or completing the ‘Munros’ from a valley base
over four days are offered.
A chance to experience the ridge from a bivouac
half-way along the ridge. This would be a good plan to see
if you are up to taking on the complete traverse at another
time. We ascend to a bivouac half-way along the ridge in the
evening, spend the night sleeping out under the stars and
attempt either the southern leg, starting with the Inaccessible
Pinnacle, going south (5 'Munros') or Sgurr na Banachdich
heading north (6 'Munros'). Whichever direction is chosen,
it will also be possible to add another 'Munro' peak from
the bivvy site in the evening of the first day.
- £400.00 (1 or 2 people) £500
(3 or 4 people)
- If you can afford the time we offer
flexi-dates in order to make the most of the weather. Simply
choose four days and we will try and blend into these with
the best of the weather over a two day slot. We keep in
touch closer to the time with weather assessments.
Summer mountaineering
kit list
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