Cullin Main Traverse

"The Cuillin Ridge Traverse is a magnificent climb following a continuous 12km ridge crest from one end to the other. It is an alpine-style route unlike anything else in the UK." Mike Lates - Skye Guides

Moving quickly without bags to reach the official start of the 'Main Traverse'.

This adventure has been on the list for a couple of years now.  The hype and difficulty that surrounds the traverse made it a very appealing challenge.  Before we set off, we were both very nervous but excited with the perfect conditions.  For me, I knew that Huw had completed many 24h challenges before and even more mountain marathons so I was apprehensive as to weather I would be holding him back. 
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Re-hydrating wherever possible

After a 3am start in Glen Britle, we reached the ridge above Loch Coir’ a’ Ghrunnda.  We dumped our bags and made a quick out and back dash to bag the first summit of the ridge, Gars-bheinn. It was amazing to finally be on the ridge and moving, with no one else to be seen, all of the nerves subsided and the challenge began.

Wriggling out of the TD gap

 I was very grateful to have Huw with me, as he had learned every detail of the route, including little dodges to make life easier if required.  The first major hurdle was the TD gap.  A polished, flared, off width which before abseiling into the gap, looked very overhung for a V. Diff.  After some squirming and squealing we were soon on our way again.

Classic In Pin shot

The next kilometer of scrambling over Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and Sgurr Alasdair was a joy, before reaching the base of the iconic Inaccessible Pinnacle.  We chose to move together up the Mod. to the summit and spent time getting that  classic summit shot on the teetering top rock.

Abseiling off the most iconic Munro?

It was great to able to move quickly for the next few hours, over stunningly jagged peaks, in perfect sunshine.  Slowly,  more of the ridge began to appear in our mirrors and the water bottles got worryingly lighter.  After 6 hours, we reached the mid point of the traverse, An Dorus, where a much needed re-fuel of Huw's tasty granola occurred. 

We were both very happy with progress, but feeling the strain, both physically and mentally, from the continuous nature of the terrain.

The hard scrambling and route finding ramped up again, negotiating Sgurr a’ Mhadaidh and the 3 subsequent tops.  By now water was running low so occasional detours to collect snow from the gullies was required.  This mix of stale snow, grit and gunk wasn’t the purest of water but a welcome relief to our tiring bodies.

Leaping across deep cravases on the ridg

We met more and more people as the day grew on, passing another team traveling N-S and lots of other folk enjoying the hills.  We battled on before the towering Bhastier Tooth stopped us in our tracks.  We had been on the go for 15h, our bodies slowing and brains shutting down.  The classic V. Diff, 'Naismith’s Route' fought us off and our alternative Mod. also seemed like too much so we had to skirt the Tooth and summit Am Baster from the East.

Sgurr nan Gillean was now within reach, the end of our traverse, only a mod scramble away.  We had to keep reminding ourselves to keep safe and watch our footing because in our tired states, things could go wrong quickly.  We reached our summit though an awesome little “rock window” and stood proudly on the top of the last summit of the traverse. 

It took us 13h 45mins to negotiate the ridge labyrinth and the view back over the jagged summits was breathtaking.

The ridge with the In Pin far left.

We arrived back at the Sligachan Car park 19h after leaving Glen Brittle, beating our target time of 20h, with weary smiles very sore feet.

Huge thanks to Huw Oliver for pushing me on when I needed it and for his incredible route finding skills.  I can't wait to go on another mission together!