Sgurr Alasdair and Sgurr Mhic Choinnich via Collies Ledge, Black Cuillin, Isle of Skye 23/08/21

[@MoodyMike007]

Brought back so many memories from the 70’s and 80’s for me. Thank you👍

[@andy-astro]

You're welcome. It was a fun route.

[@keithtanner2806]

Climbed Alasdair wayback in 1957 but not by that route. It was my first climb in the Cuillin, my brother was leading on what was supposed to be a V Diff but somehow we found ourselves on what must be the only rotten rock on the Black Cuillin, a quartzite band, to avoid it we crossed onto a Severe which rapidly deteriorated into a Super Severe. 😳😳😳 There was a definite puckering of the lips on my part. We descended by the easy route at the back of Alasdair. I was surprised to see the scree shute being used as back in those days we were urged not to use it as it was being overused.

[@andy-astro]

Hi Keith, thanks for watching. I'm ok with scrambling, but not much of a climber, so I took one of the safer options. I'd hate to go off course up there and get into trouble, sounds like you had an exciting day. A bit exhausting going up the scree, but everyone seems fine with using it, perhaps peoples viewpoints different back then. Cheers.

[@keithtanner2806]

Try Picos de Grédos and Almanzor in Central Spain SW of Madrid, twice as extensive and twice the height at 8000’+.

[@thomasmcelroy3225]

great video .just watching scared me . would love to do but not for me .much respect. from a 64 year old.amazing.

[@andy-astro]

Hi Thomas, thanks for watching. It was a bit nerve wracking at times, in a fun way. Cheers, Andy.

[@tomgreene2282]

Great video thankfully devoid of bad music and hostel scenes. ...well done ...looks a bit hairy in places ...was never up there but was on Clach Ghlas-Blaven on a fine day. Thanks for upload.

[@andy-astro]

Hi Tom. It was a fun day. Thanks for watching. ATB Andy.

[@dawnlupton2416]

Brilliant as always. I just love the sound of your footsteps on the different terrain and then the silence.

[@andy-astro]

Thanks Dawn.

[@arwy30ba]

Great video! We met you guys on the summit happy to see we made the edit!

[@andy-astro]

Hey, was a super day! All the best, Andy.

[@tamkilmartin8934]

Well that didn't look easy, I've trekked in the himalayas this also looked ike edge of the world stuff here and not for beginners great video one of the best I've seen beautiful scenery well done

[@andy-astro]

Thanks Tam. It's a great wee mountain range. ATB, Andy.

[@DeniseHewitt]

Great Video! I was gripped from start to finish! I climbed Sgurr Alasdair some years ago but never dared to hike Collies Ledge. Instead I walked back up the other scree shoot (that you walked down) and then along the ledge path to the InnPin & Sgurr Dearg and then an easy walk down the long flat ridge back to Glen Brittle!

[@andy-astro]

They're all great mountains in the Cuillins, and so many routes to take. Cheers, Andy.

[@davidseddon8068]

Great footage! And even better for not having any music. Can’t believe I did those two 30-40 years ago…….

[@andy-astro]

Hi David, thanks for watching. ATB, Andy.

[@GCStalker]

There is a tricky section between the top of the Great Stone Shoot and King's Chimney/Collie's Ledge.

[@andy-astro]

Aye, we came back down the chute a bit and then skirted around under Sgurr Thearlaich, then up to the start of Collies Ledge, to bypass Sgurr Thearlaich.

[@duncanbeard9460]

Superb footage! I've not been along the ledge yet, as when I did the traverse we climbed King's Chimney to the summit of Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. We then spent the night at the spot in front of you at 20:38 with a tarp over it. It was dead still & perfectly silent. My favourite coire I think. The Skye Scrambles guide calls it 'Hart's Ledge' as it was first discovered and used by Henry Hart with John Mackenzie in 1887. Mackenzie then took Collie over it a year later. Collie has enough stuff named after him already! Must get back on the Cuillin this year or next year.

[@andy-astro]

Hi Duncan. Sounds like you had a great adventure.♥Skye. Thanks for the info on the ledge. ATB, Andy.

[@frederickmagill9454]

👍👌Nice, thanks.

[@andy-astro]

👍

[@SetForAdventures]

Nice climbing vlog the Cuillin mountains are epic not not sure I’d have the nerve up on that ridge I’ve subbed and thx for sharing the climb

[@andy-astro]

Hi, glad you enjoyed it. It was a bit scary at times, but it's offset a little by the quality of the rock. The gabbro that make up the majority of the Black Cuillin is like glue on your feet when it's dry, which gives you a good bit of confidence. Though you do need to watch out for basalt dykes in bad weather, which can be slippery when wet. Cheers, Andy.

[@SetForAdventures]

@@andy-astro thx 🙏🏼 for the feedback very interesting 👍

[@happinessloveyoursmile]

Super awesome👍👍👏

[@andy-astro]

Thanks. 👍

[@happinessloveyoursmile]

@@andy-astro 💐🤗

[@murchiesmountains2820]

That brilliant Andy 😁..I really enjoyed the video..The scrambling looks amazing I need to get myself up to Skye again..I’ve only done Sgùrr na Banachdaich and that was a night hike. Thanks Robert

[@andy-astro]

Hi Robert. Thanks for watching. I love the hills on Skye, perfect rock for scrambling. Cheers, Andy.

[@murchiesmountains2820]

@@andy-astro Nice one Andy 😁👍

[@tamkilmartin8934]

I got the fear 😱 a few times in this video 😂

[@andy-astro]

😱 👍

[@janicetaylor2333]

My heart was in my mouth the whole way and my knees shaking till I couldn't go on. And that was just watching from my sofa! Brilliant video.....great for armchair cowards like me. 😁

[@andy-astro]

@@janicetaylor2333 Cheers!

[@DonGugos]

Hi lovely video! What you used to capture it?

[@andy-astro]

Thanks. I used a GoPro.

[@PaulCole-71]

I've been down that stone chute in 2006 after a long rock climb. Is the top of the chute the summit?

[@andy-astro]

The summit is about another 20 meters or so above the top of the chute.

[@AndyOB]

Great video Andy.Got 2 still to do on the ridge and one of them being Sgurr Alastair.Hoping to scramble up from Coire Ghrunnda side and descend down the chute.As an added bonus would love to venture along Collies ledge.Is the route obvious to turn off the chute and find your way to the start of Collies ledge?

[@andy-astro]

Yeah it's easy enough to find, you just turn right halfway down the chute, once you're through the top gully part. Then up to the bealach between Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and Sgurr Thearlaich. Once at the bealach the way up is faily easy to spot. 7:58 shows where u climb up to the ledge from the bealach. My friend took a more direct route, but you can veer right a little onto that lower ledge before heading up to the left to make it easier at that part. The rock is worn a bit where boots have trodden. Cheers, Andy.

[@PAADVENTURES1]

Just watched with my tea Andy! This looks amazing! honestly does the camera make it more or less scary than reality?

[@andy-astro]

Hi Paul. It was an amazing experience, thoroughly enjoyed it. Certainly scary at times from the exposure when you are there, but we had great weather so the rock was nice and grippy, and you tend to just plod on concentrating on each step. It's a route I'm sure I'll repeat someday, perhaps the other way round, or as part of a longer traverse. ATB, Andy.

[@PAADVENTURES1]

@@andy-astro Thanks Andy! certainly looked amazing. Just looking at accommodation for next May! fingers crossed..

[@andy-astro]

@@PAADVENTURES1 If other places are booked there is always Glenbrittle campsite as an option, which puts you right on the Cuillin doorstep beside a lovely beach 22:38. I think they are open from April.

[@keithtanner2806]

Less scary!🤢

[@robdeweerd7354]

Why not wearing a helmet?

[@andy-astro]

Hi rob. I was wearing a helmet. You can see it at 3:10 when i put it on, and at 22:18 when I took it off. It's pretty common to see people up there without them, which I agree is a risk.

[@simisimpson1]

One day someone just thought ' i know ill just fire up the hill that way'

[@andy-astro]

It's an interesting route, certainly a lot of fun. Cheers.