Gerry Akroyd (Head Guide) Gerry started climbing at the age 16. A full traverse of the Isle of Skye’s Cuillin Ridge is rightly regarded as the UK’s most challenging mountain route. The Cuillin and Minginish. On this 4-day adventure I invite you to explore this fantastic alpine route which has 12 km of length, 3000 m ascent and 11 Munros! ... before progressing to the main ridge of the Cuillin. Climbing the Cuillin Ridge is no easy task. Other party members can then be used to enhance the chances of success for these while enjoying a more suitable day themselves. Climber, Mountain Leader, photographer and author of Skye’s Cuillin Ridge Traverse, Adrian Trendall lives at the foot of the Cuillin and has made it his job to get to know the ridge intimately. The guide will be of value to both those who are planning their first visit to the Cuillin Ridge, and to those for whom the Cuillin Ridge is an old friend. A Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse is considered to be one of the greatest routes in the country. Any number of variations are possible but an ideal Traverse will deviate from the crest of the Ridge as little as possible. With over 13,000ft of ascent across complex, exposed and … Next you need to decide when you are going to do it. The Ridge comprises of around 12km of scrambling with 11 Munro tops and around 20 tops giving around 3000m of ascent and descent. If you like to gamble, enjoy suffering and have good knowledge about the ridge then a one-day traverse is the way. Skye's Cuillin Ridge Traverse. →. This takes approximately 9-15 hours to complete in ideal weather conditions. Registered Office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA H Bauer Publishing, Our pricing system means that clients will only pay the premium for attempting this challenge if weather conditions are suitable. The Isle of Skye with it’s Cuillin Ridge are one of the highlights of Scotland and present some of the finests mountaineering challenges in the UK. This is far from the first guidebook to be written about the Cuillin, so how have Adrian and Cicerone gone about ensuring that this is worthy of not only sitting alongside those existing publications, but potentially replacing them as the go-to reference? Accommodation providers are encouraging longer stays in single venues to minimise chances of the virus spreading. Bauer Media Group consists of: Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number: 01176085, Bauer Radio Ltd, Company Number: 1394141 For larger groups bespoke arrangements can be made. However the Traverse should be viewed as an independent challenge specifically to traverse the spine of the Main Ridge. The Skye Cuillin Ridge is a mountaineers playground, with so much rock and so much choice you could spend days scrambling or climbing around in the many coires of the Skye Black Cuillin. H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No. Of course, there is the British classic of the full Skye Cuillin Ridge traverse too, Britain's longest mountaineering route and a must-do for any mountaineer or climber. Cuillin Ridge Traverse. It is important that a good level of trust is built between visitors and locals. We have spent many years working in the Cuillin mountains so can safely say we provide our guests with highly experienced Cuillin Ridge Guides. Approaches and descents to the Ridge take a total of 6 hours. Our booking process will include suggestions on good practices during your visit. Wet rocks and high winds make the route unjustifiable if not impossible. Graham started rock climbing at … 12km long, 3000m of ascent, 11 Munros (peaks over 914m or 3000ft), over 30 summits and technical rock climbing up to Very Difficult (if the easiest line is taken) makes the Cuillin ridge traverse the most challenging mountaineering journey in the United Kingdom. To have every chance of success, we require you to have experience in hill walking and scrambling. The saw-toothed chain of dark peaks that form ridge can be confusing and bewildering to navigate, so it’d require something pretty special from a guidebook … The main ridge holds 11 Munros and is home to some of the most sensational scrambling and climbing in the country. The words above may read familiar to those who have attempted the Cuillin traverse. We don’t have set dates for joining groups, we believe you receive the best experience by having your own tailored day in the mountains. A Cuillin Ridge Traverse is a premium product and prices reflect this. On 4-day courses a day of assessment to work out who is suitable for making an attempt is needed. A lightweight second guidebook gives the scrambler detailed maps, topos and route description for the ridge traverse itself. Cuillin Ridge - Topo-Guide. The Black Cuillin of Skye offer a unique experience of scrambling and climbing, with the Cuillin Ridge Traverse being one of the most prized and sought-after mountaineering outings in the UK.But if you'd rather not go for the full traverse there are endless options for day hits to the ridge, including Munro bagging, scrambling, rock climbing and the famous Inaccessible Pinnacle. It’s not only a great example of a Cuillin guide, but an indication of what all mountain guidebooks should be. All registered in England and Wales. If conditions aren’t suitable to make an attempt throughout your course less demanding outings will be made each day and a refund is given that brings the cost back to our normal daily rates. The Cuillin ridge is a 12km long ridge of continuous interest to the mountaineer, with eleven of its summits being Munros (Scottish hills over 3000ft/914m). A Munro is a Scottish Mountain with a summit height of at least 914m. The Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits trek is 4 intensive days of walking and scrambling on the 11 Skye Munros found on The Black Cuillin Ridge. Click hereto find out more. This has worked well in the past with all party members enjoying a bivouac together. Approaches and descents to the Ridge take a total of 6 hours. Please contact us directly by e-mail to mike@skyeguides.co.uk to discuss your situation. The Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye is the main event when it comes to scrambling in the UK. Accommodation should be your first priority before arranging guided days. 4.4 out of 5 stars 6. The climbing on a Traverse takes approximately 16-20 hours to complete in ideal weather conditions. However, the hourly rate for this product remains considerably lower than on all of our other courses. The Cuillin Ridge Traverse is a magnificent climb following a continuous 12km ridge crest from one end to the other. CUILLIN RIDGE GUIDES The Isle of Skye is the largest island of the Inner Hebrides; it is situated off the West coast of Scotland and accessed via the Skye bridge at the Kyle of Lochalsh. Scene settingWide landscape photographs work alongside the Harvey Maps to show a visual representation of the ridge and the mountains, again including annotated advice and options, making the route-finding process more simple. Detailed annotationsPhotographs are also used to excellent effect to show how to tackle the numerous climbing obstacles, giving such details as where the best holds, protection and belay positions can be found. Strategy, gear, training, navigation and logistics are covered, and 10 classic scrambles are described. There are 11 Munro tops on the Cuillin Ridge, and this is one place where people feel that hiring a mountain Guide to take them across the Cuillins is essential. This course is only suitable for exceptionally fit and able clients in low numbers and only possible in good (dry rock) conditions. Many questions you may have will be answered in this Free Download-Tips for Success on the Cuillin Ridge. Join us for our guided traverse of the Skye Cuillin Ridge, one of the most sought-after and memorable mountaineering challenges in the UK. The views from the main Black Cuillin ridge are truly magnificent and enhanced by the sea of the Inner Hebrides. The difficulty of the ridge and complexity of route-finding makes the use of a guide a good idea, especially if you're short on time or knowledge. If conditions aren’t suitable then the individual days will be enjoyed and used to prepare for a future attempt. Although the Traverse is the most famous Cuillin route it is only one of many similar quality climbs available. The challenge is 3 times as big as most major alpine classic ridges, in terms of vertical ascent. Cuillin Ridge Traverse Strategies, advice, detailed topo booklet and 10 classic scrambles by Adrian Trendall About the Author Adrian is a mountain guide and photographer living on Skye. by Adrian Trendall. Join us for our guided traverse of the Skye Cullin Ridge, one of the most sought-after and memorable mountaineering challenges in the UK. We are flexible enough to allow a course upgrade to a Traverse attempt if conditions turn out to be suitable. An overnight bivouac is normally required, so more than 30 hours are usually spent in the mountains. Skye Basecamp is in the heart of  Broadford & will be home to our guides over the summer months. Completing the challenge in a single day is beyond the majority of aspirants so Skye Guides use an overnight bivouac to greatly enhance the chances of success. A handful of short rock climbs are encountered along the route but these are not a problem compared to the physical and mental effort required. The Cuillin Ridge Light is the best ridge in the UK for mere mortals. The situation is subject to changes in advice by the Scottish government and we are offering a full refund or an opportunity to postpone if your booking is affected by Covid – 19. The Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye is one of Scotland's most iconic mountain summits. The saw-toothed chain of dark peaks that form ridge can be confusing and bewildering to navigate, so it’d require something pretty special from a guidebook to demystify this terrain. We have two self catering cottages in the small village of Luib 7 miles north of Broadford and all rooms at our bunkhouse, Skye Basecamp, will have either en suite facilities or a private bathroom allocated to your room and the self catering kitchen will be operational. Scotland and Skye have, touch wood, contained the virus and the focus is very much on keeping it this way. The Cuilllin Ridge on Skye is the UK's most challenging mountain range. Our Skye guides know these mountains like the back of their hands. It uses cunning and knowledge to take the easiest line, hard climbs are bypassed and the bar of necessary experience and skills is lowered. The longer your stay the greater your chances of a suitable weather window. The Red Cuillin are mainly made up of granite which was less resistant to the glaciers than gabbro, hence the rounded appearance of the hills. These are perhaps the highlight of the lighter on-the-ridge book. Our pricing is structured so that clients get a refund if the weather is not suitable. T he famous Cullin Ridge on the Isle of Skye is perhaps the most sought-after mountaineering challenge in the UK. The Cuillin Ridge Traverse is the most famous mountaineering expedition in Britain. by Tom Prentice | 12 May 2020. Based in the Manchester area, he had access to a variety of rock climbing centres in the north of England and Wales. VAT no 918 5617 01 Over 4000m (13,000feet) of ascen… There is a great deal of preparation involved in making a successful Traverse and every effort is made to help clients; from training to equipment. A full traverse of the Isle of Skye’s Cuillin Ridge is rightly regarded as the UK’s most challenging mountain route. 1:2 is a safe and practical ratio if both clients are of equal fitness. Rock Climbing The Cuilllin Ridge Traverse is the UK's most challenging mountaineering trip. It is an alpine-style route unlike anything else in the UK but it should not be your first ambition in the Cuillin unless you are a highly competent mountaineer. CUILLIN RIDGE GUIDES. Forty-five annotated photo topo-diagrams show the Cuillin Ridge in good detail, highlighting the best route for tackling the UK's premier mountain challenge. 845898), Privacy & Cookies Policy | Privacy Settings | Terms & Conditions | Competition Terms & Conditions | Complaints. The Black Cuillin are the most spectacular and challenging … Company Number: LP003328 Registered Office: Academic House, 24-28 Oval Road, London, NW1 7DT. There is then 12km of continuous scrambling mostly along a narrow crest with concentration required on every step. Introduction to the Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits. Rock n Ridge runs a number of the most requested Cuillin Ridge trips and uses experienced, friendly and knowledgeable Mountain Guides for your trip. Dual format The guide is actually two books housed in a PVC sleeve: one chunkier reference book to review at home, and a lightweight second book with detailed maps, topos and route descriptions to be taken on the ridge traverse itself. Success rarely comes without a great deal of effort from everybody involved. The centre of the island is dominated by the Skye Cuillin Ridge which provides some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in … Key AdviceThe guide includes information on strategy, gear, training, navigation and logistics, plus a detailed section focusing on the ridge in winter. The topos also offer A Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse with a Skye Cuillin Guide Book your Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse with Kirkhope Mountaineering, offering dates to suit you with qualified and experienced Skye Cuillin Guides. The best ever guidebook for Skye's Cuillin Ridge traverse? There are 282 Munros in Scotland, and many agree that these 11 are perhaps the hardest. With over 13,000ft of ascent across complex, exposed and testing terrain, this ridge requires respect, a cool head, a high level of fitness and favourable conditions to have our best chance of success. Book your Inaccessible Pinnacle Guide to safely guide you to the summit of this narrow and imposing summit. Like many aspects of mountaineering, the Traverse is fundamentally dangerous and we make no apologies for vetting aspirants. * The Cuillin Ridge involves lots and lots of scrambling terrain at gra… The extra guide is only used for 2 of the 4 days so keeping the price down. m: (00) +44 (0)7769 221 500, Skye Guides, 3 Luib, He has been climbing since the 1980s with a CV that includes Alpine north faces, big walls in Munro bagging is not an objective directly compatible with this course. Many, and often all, of the Munros are climbed on a successful Traverse and they form the basis of objectives on unsuccessful weeks. Skye Guides’ stated aim on any Traverse attempt is to consider the far end of the Ridge (whether travelling south to north, or north to south) as the summit. With over 3000m ascent spread over 10km on the ridge itself, and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery anywhere in the UK, the Cuillin Ridge Traverse truly is an incredible achievement for those who choose to undertake the challenge. Comprised mainly of hard, rough gabbro rock and smoother basalt the ridge was sculpted into its current form by glacial activity and subsequent weathering over the millennia, which created the unique jagged character of the Ridge. The only exception to this is if you are incredibly fit and booking on a 1:1 basis. For the latest reviews - including extra photos and kit that won't appear online - pick up a copy of the current issue of Trail magazine! This two-volume guidebook provides detailed coverage of the iconic Cuillin Ridge, a 12km traverse on the Isle of Skye. Skye Guides is taking bookings for guiding in December (Tier 1 only)  & deposits for bookings in 2021. A successful Traverse attempt is always the focus of the week. You still ascend the Munros, climb the Inaccessible Pinnacle, do a few abseils and… © 1962-2019 Bauer Media Group This new guidebook ensures that those with the skills and ambition to tackle the Cuillin Ridge have all the information they need at their fingertips. Whilst a must for any competent hill walker or climber, route finding on the ridge can be difficult and having an experienced Skye Cuillin mountain guide allows you to fully experience the Cuillin Ridge … To have more chance of success and to enjoy the experience then a two-day exped is recommended. In this regular feature from the brand ("British mountain guides")], Mike Pescod from Abacus Mountainguides shows us the classic UK outing of The Cullin Ridge. Which portable power device should I buy? Over 4000m (13,000feet) of ascent and descent is involved. Extra scramblesThe larger book gives details of 10 classic scrambles that can be enjoyed on the ridge without undertaking a full traverse. The rest of the course is never wasted with time spent on a suitable mix of training climbs, scrambling … Isle of Skye, IV49 9AN. Justification for this anomaly is that, when conditions are suitable, our guides love the challenge of guiding the best alpine climb in Britain. Put simply, they’ve endeavoured to make each and every part of the book, and therefore the ridge, as clear to understand, recognise and navigate as possible. A guided traverse of the Cuillin Ridge is not possible in poor weather conditions because the levels of danger and physical and mental effort are too high to justify. Cuillin guide, but an indication of what all mountain guidebooks should be viewed as an independent challenge to... Although the traverse then 12km of continuous scrambling mostly along a narrow crest concentration! 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