home
info
activities
equipment
meets list 2019
hut finder
meet reports
articles
journal
gallery
links
contacts

updated 18 Dec 2018

5th June 2009 - Coruisk Hut, Skye

Pre-meet report - Robert & Mike went up a day early & climbed Arrow Route. They were going to continue to Wallworks, but it started snowing on them, so they decided to beat a retreat.

The arrangements for this year's Coruisk Meet itself followed the usual pattern. We all met up at Elgol on Friday night to get the Misty Isle over to Coruisk. A nice smooth boat ride later, and we were at the most remote hut in Britain. Amazing how easy it is to leave the world behind ! Tara made herself at home on the rickety old sofa in the hut. This is probably a blessing in disguise, as it's doubtful the sofa would have supported 2 people.

The weather followed the usual pattern as well. Sunshine & no midgies. I'm starting to wonder if it ever rains at all on Skye, all the recent trips I can remember have been rain free. So, everyone was out on the hill on Saturday. Terry & Ken went up the Dubh's Ridge (after a brief false start ...) and continued round to Sgurr nan Eag. This must add up to more than 1200m of scrambling, surely enough for anyone ! As they descended the Mad Burn, almost back at the hut, a group of seals came up to the shore to welcome them back. Robert & Mike made their way to Coir'-Uisg buttress on Sgurr a'Mhadaidh to try Original Route. They decided they didn't like the look of this and climbed Tenderfoot instead. Mike reckoned this turned out worse than Original Route would have been ! Lorna & Tara walked up Glen Sligachan, missed a glaring opportunity for a pint in the pub, and instead returned immediately to the hut. Dan & Adrian went up Druim nan Raimh and picked their way to the end of the coire, returning along the lochside.

The entertainment on Saturday night mostly consisted of people being unable to get the cooker lit using cigarette lighters. Or when it was lit, it went straight out again. Or they burnt their hands on it. Bloody thing. Lorna's advice from this meet was to bring longer matches & more beer next year. Wise words.

The word "usual" is probably being overused in this report, but it seems appropriate. So, as usual, the weather on Sunday was fine. Terry, Lorna & Ken went up Sgurr na Stri. This has got to be one of the best view points in Scotland. It seems higher than its 490m, or perhaps the low summit gives the main Cuillins more perspective. In any case, it didn't disappoint, giving a fantastic panorama of the mountains. This is what we do it for. Mike was tired after 2 days climbing and went for a bimble around the coast. He brought back plenty of wood for the fire. Adrian & Dan set off up Gars Bheinn via the east (?) ridge, the skyline when you're sitting at the hut. Dan soon turned back however, and returned to the hut by an imaginative route. Adrian continued to the top. Robert went up the North East Ridge of Sgurr a'Coire Bhig, he said it was "quite steep" at the top. Never one for exaggeration, it's almost certainly very steep indeed ! Returning via Sgurr nan Eag, he found a climber descending from the Dubh's Ridge using the descent route in Gary Latters' guidebook. This turns out to be less than ideal & Robert helped her out, gentleman that he is. She stopped at the hut for a coffee & a chat.

With everyone back safely at the hut, it was time to burn all of Mike's firewood. And burn it we did ! A splendid fire, a lot of wine, a lot of chat made for a good night's sleep. With the boat coming back at 2pm to pick is up, there wasn't really time for adventure on Monday morning. So instead, we cleaned the hut & lounged about in the sun.

As usual, a splendid Coruisk trip.