Kendal Mountaineering Services is offering the opportunity to partake in one of our bi-annual guided Cuillin Ridge traverse trips taking place between Saturday 10th and Saturday 17th September 2011.The Cuillin Ridge is over 12km long and has twenty two summits along its length of which 11 gain Munro status.
The Cuillin Ridge traverse is one of the finest and longest rock climbing & scrambling routes in Europe with over 4000m (13'000 feet) of ascent & descent. The entire ridge is a scramblers & mountaineers paradise largely being composed of grade one ground, but with some grade two, three & four ground as well as rock climbing to severe standard and a number of abseils to undertake en route.
Iain Gallagher from Kendal Mountaineering services
has been running annual guided Cuillin Ridge Traverses since 2006. He has completed some 12 traverses of the Cuillin Ridge altogether; and has successfully guided seven parties along this supurb mountaineering challenge - the most recent being during May 2011.
For £375 the package we offer you includes 7 nights self catering accommodation in our comfortable cottage near Carbost on the Isle of Skye plus the opportunity of four days of guiding on the Cuillin Ridge Traverse making this an unbeatable opportunity to take part in a traverse of The Ridge.
Iain, a Mountaineering Instructor, has, considerable experience of guiding on the Cuillin Ridge. A successful complete traverse is dependant on good weather conditions and whilst we cannot guarantee your successfully completing the whole traverse, our plan of tackling sections of the ridge over four days out of six means that you will have a great experience and every opportunity of completing a significant part, if not all of the Cuillin Ridge Traverse.
Unlike many packages on offer with regards to the Cuillin Ridge Traverse, Iain prefers to keep the itinery totally flexible. Depending on conditions and wind direction - we may go to opposite ends of the ridge from one day to the next; or if the weather is bad, we will take a rest day when party members can go and check out all that the rest of the Isle of Skye has to offer.Each day on the ridge will see us aim to depart the cottage by 08:30 or earlier if the weather dictates and arrive back at the cottage by early evening
to enjoy a meal cooked by others and a well earned rest in a comfortable bed.Iain will work with up to six people during our guided Cullin Ridge traverse. As a member of the guided party it is expected that you are already an experienced mountaineer with some experience of scrambling and ropework and comfortable with a degree of exposure which is present on a number of sections of the ridge.
You will also need to be fit and healthy for what is a strenuous and demanding challenge and you must also be prepared to work as part of a team - all working together to help Iain make the possibility of a successful traverse reality.
Whilst at the cottage, everyone attending is expected to provide one communal evening meal for all other members of the team during our stay. Breakfasts and packed lunches are your own responsibility.
Regarding equipment - you will need to bring your own foul weather equipment, a rucksac of at least 45 litres and a stout pair of walking boots with a good cleated (Vibram type) sole and good ankle support. Approach shoes are wholly unacceptable for the ground encountered on the Cuillin Ridge.
Helmets & harnesses can be provided by us for a small fee.
There are many exciting parts to a guided Cuillin Ridge Traverse with Kendal Mountaineering services - The famous Thearlaich Dubh Gap, The Inaccessable Pinnacle, the airey traverse of the summits of Sgurr A Greadaidh and Sgurr A Mhadaidh, the ascent of Am Bastier and the West Ridge of Sguur Nan Gillean. Some or all of the objectives will be achieved as part of your guided Cuillin Ridge Traverse.
Whatever we manage to acheive during the Kendal Mountaineering Services guided Cuillin Ridge traverse, you will have a great experience in this breathtaking environment with a guide who knows the ridge extremely well.
To read reports from previous trips go to the Kendal Mountaineering Services Blog where reports from May 2009, 2010 & 2011 can be found along with a report from our trip in September 2010.
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