Book Description

Guidebook to the exhilarating Cuillin Ridge Traverse on the Isle of Skye, one of Britain's most iconic scrambles. The challenging route calls for technical skill, mental and physical stamina and a head for heights: although much of the exposed knife-edge ridge is on the cusp between climbing and walking - allowing for fast progress unimpeded by ropes or pitching - there are scrambling sections to Grade 3, technical climbs to Severe and a handful of abseils. The traverse is typically completed over one or two days. The guide has all the information needed to plan and complete the traverse. The first volume covers planning and preparation and includes a recommended gear list as well as tips on rope work, weather, safety, logistics, route options, escape routes and potential bivi sites. Since training will maximise your chance of success, also included are 10 practice routes in the Cuillin. Finally, notes and advice are provided for those wishing to tackle the route in winter. Volume two has route description and maps, and clear photo topos illustrating lines of ascent/descent, with points on the route numbered consistently across text, maps and topos to facilitate navigation. The sheer length of the ridge combined with technical terrain and continual exposure mean that this is no small undertaking. However, the rewards are plentiful: on a clear day, Skye's scenery is unsurpassed and the traverse includes 11 mighty Munro summits, including the Inaccessible Pinnacle of Sgurr Dearg, a classic set-piece climb. It is little surprise that this epic challenge finds its place on so many scramblers' and climbers' bucket-lists.