ROUTE: Via East Ridge. Took the path to the west of the Bhasteir Gorge to reach the Bealach a' Bhasteir., and used the SMC "Skye Scrambles" book to follow the Grade 2 variation avoiding the direct descent of the Bad Step.
MEMBERS OF PARTY: With my wife Marion
CONDITIONS: Mild but misty, some breeze
DURATION: About 6 hours car to car
SKILLS PRACTISED: I carried my 7mm x 30m Confidence Rope but in the event Marion didn't require it. (My photos show a guided party setting up a belay anchor to protect a direct descent of this section). We retraced our steps gratefully from the summit and ascended the Bad Step directly without mishap.
MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT: Despite the mist the gabbro on the East Ridge felt quite grippy, but there were rather too many sections of smoother basalt for complete relaxation!
KEY LEARNING POINTS/CONTRIBUTION TO EXPERIENCE: Part of our final "mopping-up" of outstanding unclimbed Munros aiming for a joint compleation later in the year. A challenging day with good practise in movement over exposed terrain unroped. The misty day probably helped by reducing the sense of exposure. Pity about the lack of views? Maybe not!
Area :
Isle of Skye
Minginish and the Cuillin Hills above 800m
