Sgurr na Banachdich
THE CUILLIN AND MINGINISH
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1. Park at Glen Brittle Youth Hostel; there is space on the left hand verge of the road both before and after the bridge. The walk starts on the excellent constructed path up the south side of the stream. The initial section passes a whole series of waterfalls as the stream tumbles down a small gorge. After a kilometre there is one particularly dramatic series of falls; another couple of hundred metres on (more cascades can be heard) look out for a much fainter, slightly muddy path going off to the right. Once picked up it is clear to follow and leads past a rounded boulder after two hundred metres, before beginning to ascend the moor.
2. As the path crests a rise the gradient eases and there is a view ahead of the whole walk. Ahead is the scree-filled corrie Coir' nan Eich, edged by the steep crag of An Diallaid to the left and the Sgurr nan Gobhar ridge to the right. Sgurr na Banachdich is the rather shapeless (from this angle) peak set right back beyond the corrie, with pointy Sgurr Thormaid to its immediate left. The route eventually heads up the grassy ridge to the crags of An Diallaid.
3. The path fades away before the stream coming down from Coir' an Eich is reached. Cross the stream, either on a sheep path just below where it divides into two shallow ravines, or higher up. Once across, head up the steepening grassy slopes that form a ridge leading up to An Diallaid - it stays grassy for longest towards the left skyline. Most walkers head up the back of Coir' an Eich on a clear path zigzagging up an extremely steep scree slope, but the An Diallaid route is pleasanter and slightly less steep and loose. The grass turns to stones as the climb steepens, but there are traces of a path here.
4. After the steeper section, the ridge levels off and becomes grassy again before a final pull up scree to the prominent crag of An Diallaid. This steep section can be avoided by bearing right across the grassy slopes to pick up the path from the back of Coir' an Eich, above its steep scree climb. Either way, you are now aiming for the shallow col between An Diallaid and the main bulk of the mountain. There's a sudden view from here across upper Coire a Ghreadaidh to twin summited Sgurr a Ghreadaidh.
5. The walk continues up the ill-defined ridge towards the summit - keep the big cliffs to your left. The terrain here is a mix of rocks, low crags and stones but in clear weather a simple route can be found by weaving between the rocks - any obstacles can usually be passed to the right. The going becomes much rockier as the summit is approached. The main Cuillin ridge is reached suddenly, and the sheer drop down to Coir Uisg is a sensational contrast to the more gentle scree slopes you've ascended. The summit lies slightly along the ridge to the right, and is marked with a cairn. Sgurr na Banachdich (Smallpox peak) is a fantastic viewpoint. To the north the Cuillin ridge drops down over sharp Sgurr Thormaid and its teeth before sweeping up again to the bulk of Sgurr a Ghreadaidh, whilst Sgurr nan Gillean is visible beyond.
6. East is the awesome void of Coir Uisg with Loch Coruisk a jewel far below, and Bla Bheinn looking magnificent beyond. To the south the narrow ridge sweeps on to Sgurr Dearg; climbers can usually be seen making their way up and abseiling off the upper part of the Inaccessible Pinnacle. Beyond the In Pinn are the jagged teeth of Sgurr Thearlach and Sgurr Alasdair, the highest summit in the Hebrides. To their right is Glen Brittle and the Isles of Rum and Canna glittering in the sea.
7. The easiest return route is the same way. There is an alternative that is open only to scramblers, which is to descent the Sgurr nan Gobhar ridge. This involves some fairly straightforward but slightly airy scrambling, with a steep scree run off the end of the ridge. Going this way would increase the walk to a Grade 5 outing.
8. If you decide to descend via Sgurr nan Gobhar, still return the way you ascended until the way onto the start of the ridge is clear. Most of the scrambling occurs on the steep descent following the first easy section. Between the scrambles the ridge is very narrow but fairly grassy. At the end of the ridge is the summit of Sgurr nan Gobhar (Peak of the Goats) with a good view down to Glen Brittle. Crags almost encircle the peak, the only descent route being down the steep, extensive screes to the southwest. These are much better tackled in descent as a climb up here would be very arduous. Once down to the boggy moorland, take a direct line just north of west to return to the Youth Hostel.
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