BLACK CUILLIN RIDGE TRAVERSE

The Black Cuillin Ridge, the renowned mountain ridge on the Isle of Skye, is quoted as being the ultimate mountaineering experience in the British isles and has a truly alpine feel. The ridge involves over 3,000m of ascent spread over a horizontal distance of 12 km. The technical standards are very rarely any more than V Diff with one or two short sections of Mild Severe. The bulk of the ridge however consists mainly of sustained and very exposed scrambling. Rising out of the sea to a height of over three thousand feet, the traverse consists of a number of razor sharp ridges, fortified summits and views down sheer faces to the sea.

We advise a two-day trip on the ridge with an overnight bivi. This, weather permitting, will enable you to climb every summit on the ridge whilst providing the opportunity to experience the sheer size and scale of the ridge. The trip is physically demanding and requires a good level of fitness. With equipment kept to a minimum (and good guiding techniques), progress along the ridge is reasonably quick. Any awkward sections will be safeguarded with a rope and you will enjoy the quality of the climbing, set amongst the amazing backdrop of peaks, lochs and valleys.

This trip is not for the beginner, you will be required to have experience of being high in the mountains with a good size pack on your back, be able to climb to at least Grade VDiff, and be confident in abseiling, you will also need a high level of fitness and be happy to bivi on the ridge, you will also be required to have a day of scrambling in the Lake District beforehand, to allow us to assess your ability, unless you can prove your experience.

Weather plays a huge part of a successful ridge traverse, so if conditions are not ideal, we would not attempt the traverse, but would replace with other classic Skye scrambles for the duration of the trip.

We usually run this trip in May, June and September, this gives a good chance of favourable weather and the very best possibility of a ridge traverse.

Guide ratios are 1:2, but we can provide additional guides if you have more participants.

Prices include: All safety and technical equipment, cooking equipment, and accommodation.

Please get in touch for more info 07789 642176 or email us at info@mountainguides.co.uk.