Hill: Stac Pollaidh
Date: 5th August 2011
Company: Myself and Kevin
On Friday, I ascended Stac Pollaidh for the third time. On the first two
occasions, I only proceeded as far as the false top, located before the rock
tower. Both of these times I was on my own, and didn't have a rope with me, so I
erred on the side of caution.
However, on Friday I was accompanied by Kevin and I had a rope (that we didn't
actually need/use).
I was definitely going to the true summit this time
.
We made our way up the “tourist” path and before long were making good progress up the hill.
Stac Pollaidh:
Unfortunately, the cloud was down to around 550m, which meant the top of Stac Pollaidh was in clag, as were the neighbouring Corbetts
and Fionas .
Beinn an Eoin and Loch Lurgainn:
We passed a number of people during the ascent – the car park was full.
Ascending path towards Stac Pollaidh:
Ascending towards the col on the ridge of Stac Pollaidh:
It didn't take long to reach the col. From there, we continued along the ridge towards the summit.
Stac Pollaidh ridge from col:
Kevin:
There are a number of possible routes along the ridge. We traversed the initial pinnacle on the left and then ascended a gully to reach the ridge.
Misty ridge:
Pinnacles:
About half-way along the ridge:
My biggest surprise was passing two children, one only four years-old, half-way along the ridge
.
IMO, way too risky doing this unroped scramble with such little ones!!!
It was disappointing that all of the pinnacles were in clag. I assume the one below is “Punch and Judy”. I don't think we saw “Andy Capp”.
Punch and Judy:
After carefully shimmying round a large boulder we reached the false summit.
Approaching the false summit with rock tower to the right:
At the false summit, we put on harnesses and I tied my rope round my back with a view to soloing the rock tower and then dropping the rope down for Kevin to tie-on. We could also use the rope to abseil off, if desired.
Looking down on the rock tower:
False summit:
The rock tower and summit beyond:
I took the direct route up the rock tower. I think I would grade the direct ascent Mod/Diff - albeit the crux is right at the bottom and after two or three moves it all becomes really easy.
Myself climbing the rock tower:
Myself at the top of the rock tower:
On reaching the top of the rock tower, I had a quick look around for potential anchors to bring up Kevin. However, before I even had a chance to take the rope off, Kevin was up at the top too
.
Kevin ascended via the leaning slab, which he thought was fairly easy (Edit:
"bearable").
We then both made our way along to the summit.
Disappointing to get no views but great to reach the top
.
Kevin at the summit:
Looking back towards the false summit from the true summit:
Myself at the summit of Stac Pollaidh:
On the way back, we opted to descend via the slab. I found the descent, via the slab, much easier than expected – albeit I had to take the rope off my back to fit through the gap - definitely easier without a rucksack if going this way. The slab is probably about a grade 2 scramble.
Large pinnacle:
As we made our way back along the ridge, the clag began to lift
.
A view along Loch Lurgainn:
Looking back along the ridge:
Returning along the ridge:
Loch Lurgainn:
Before descending, we quickly ascended the top to the East of the col.
View from top East of the col:
It didn't take long to get back to the car. Again, we passed lots of tourists.
Looking back to Stac Pollaidh:
Beinn an Eoin, Sgurr an Fhidhleir and Ben More Coigach:
Stac Pollaidh:
Stac Pollaidh from A835:
Will definitely come back to do Stac Pollaidh again on a clag-free day
.