Arrived at Sligachan campsite in good time to pitch and relax before dark. Bizarrely Saturday 28th September is the last day the campsite is open, so all water is turned off around 11am on the Sunday morning. At least that means I only had to pay for one night. Looking towards the pub, and behind that Sgurr nan Gillean on the left and Bruach na Frithe on the right. Am Basteir thankfully hidden for now!
Looking across the River Sligachan to Glamaig, which is not a munro.
Nightfall, and Am Basteir and her tooth make their presence known. Time for a beer or two.
The next morning I drove round to the YH in Glen Brittle, and headed up the Alt a'Choire Ghreadaidh.
Sgurr a'Mhadaidh is the low top in the centre. Deceptive, but Sgurr Thuilm on the left is not a munro! To the right of Mhadaidh is Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh, my second planned port of call.
Getting closer, you can now see the scree leading up to An Dorus (the door) in the middle left, which is where I am headed. And on the right is the top of Sgurr na Banachdaich.
Coire a'Ghreadaidh is very pleasant.
The top of An Dorus, looking down towards Loch Coruisk. I am going left here!
View back to Coire a'Ghreadaidh from An Dorus.
Looking up to Sgurr a'Mhadaidh. Not sure this picture quite captures the challenge of this.
After the first climb it was a bit easier. This is one of several sleeping "platforms" on this bit of the hill, for those doing the whole ridge over two days. Very cosy!
Climbing up from An Dorus, the view down to Loch Coruisk just kept getting better. To the right, the southern Cuillin ridge. Will identify them later.
Looking over to Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh. Starting to feel intimidated.
Could see the other side of Bruach na Frithe, Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean from here too, over the ridge that runs between. Not for me thanks.
The final section of Sgurr a'Mhadaidh, looking up Loch Harport on the left, with Bruach na Frithe, Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean still on the right.
Another look at Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh. Contemplating an early finish rather than tackle that.
Makes it all worthwhile though - South across Loch Slapin, with Sgurr Dubh Mor, and then Sgurr Alasdair sticking up behind Sgurr Mhic Chonnich.
From the top of Sgurr a'Mhadaidh. Bruach na Frithe, Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean don't seem so bad, but I still wouldn't head over the ridge to them!
Wow, impressive.
From the right we have Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh, which I am now looking at in a new, slightly terrified light, with the Inaccessible Pinnacle behind. Centre left are Sgurr Mhic Choinnich
and Sgurr Alasdair, with Sgurr Dubh Mor further to the left
Continuing to talk myself out of tackling Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh.
Glen Brittle. Should be just able to see the car from here.
Met these guys back at An Dorus, and they assured me Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh was no harder than Sgurr a'Mhadaidh. So I headed up it, and looked back at Sgurr a'Mhadaidh.
I just went up that! Madness indeed.
Another look back to Sgurr a'Mhadaidh, with some people on top, Bruach na Frithe, Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean. Marvelous.
Finally, the top comes into sight
OH YES. People still visible on Sgurr a'Mhadaidh which now seems very small.
South from the top, we have on the right Sgurr na Banachdich (and the ridge I decided to miss), the In. Pin., Sgurr Alasdair, and Sgurr Dubh Mor.
Loch Corusik and the East, with DONE
And to the West, America!
Ridge running north to Bruach na Frithe etc.
And back down safely, a last look up to An Dorus before heading for Sgurr na Banachdich the easy way.
After managing to miss Coir' an Eich (impressive navigating!) I got back on track. This from the top of the An Diallaid ridge, looking up Banachdich on the right, and then along the ridge to Sgurr a#Chreadaidh and Sgurr a'Mhadaidh looking positively totie.
West down Sgurr nan Gobhar.
The ridge between Banachdich and Ghreadaidh. Glad I went the long way round!
Top of Banachdich, looking to Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh
People not scared of heights!
And to the South, the In Pin, Sgurr Alasdair, Sgurr Mhic Chonnich and Sgurr Dubh Mor. What a strange land!
The above hills, with added Loch Coruisk on the left and the Sea of the Hebrides to the right, and Rum or Canna or Eig (or all three). Great day.
Looking down into Coire An Donus, where I was this morning
Coir' an Eich, the way down.
Ridge out to Sgurr nan Gobhar, above Coir' an Eich
Coming out of Coir' an Eich, looking back up towards Banachdich.
Nearly back at the car, looking back to Sgurr a'Mhadaidh (the small one on the left), Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh, Sgurr Thormaid and Sgurr na Banachdich, with Sgurr nan Gobhar at the front.
Driving back out of Glen Brittle I just had to stop and snap this - Bruach na Frithe on the left, and Sgur Thuilm on the right.
View from the tent. Some hills for the next day?
And looking over the campsite down Loch Sligachan, on the way to the pub