Forecasters wildly wrong; a pleasure!
Mike’s report.
Grant, Bruce and I had the north end of the Cuillin virtually to ourselves as strong winds and low clouds were forecast. Instead we had clear tops and only 3 heavy showers through the whole day. Dry rock on Am Basteir makes things far less serious so we went for that first in case the rain arrived. The dash and snatch approach again proved unneccesary for Gillean after lunch. Heavy rain did arrive shortly after 4pm but will hopefully clear through before the morning.
Morning sun on the approach.
DEscending the Bad Step on Am Basteir
Descending the steep upper reaches of the West Ridge of Gillean
With the demise of yet more blocks in evidence today (helmet off the pinnacle above the Window in particular!) I felt the urge to finally climb an improbable block part way down the West Ridge. It wasn’t easy with a slithering basalt chimney approach and loose crest to descend but if a lightning bolt blows it to bits tomorrow I won’t regret missing it out; great adrenalin rush!
Had to be done.
