Sgurr nan Eag is the most southerly Munro on the Black Cuillin Ridge and it is normally climbed with its its nearest neighbour Sgurr Dubh Mor. The normal ascent route follows a cairn marked path into Coire a' Ghrunda to reach Loch coir' a' Ghrunda, a route with some exposure on sloping slabs. From the N of the loch ascend NNE to Bealach Garbh-choire on the main ridge NW of Sgurr Dubh. Bear SE past Sgurr Dubh, then S over the rocky tower, Caisteal a' Garbh-choire, to the summit ridge of Sgurr nan Eag. Caisteal a' Garbh-choire, can be by-passed below the ridge summit. NB involves scrambling and exposure.
The Cuillin should not be attempted unless you are comfortable with scrambling exposure. You are recommended to purchase and study a higher scale map of the Black Cuillin of Skye before attempting an ascent.
Roger Vander Steen's description of the ascent is spot-on. The most time-consuming part is route-finding from lower Coir a' Ghrunnda to the upper coire. What a splendid place this upper coire is, with it's lovely loch surrounded by mountains forming what the French would call a 'cirque'. If you do no more than reach this for a picnic you'll have had a great day out. Once onto Sgurr nan Eag, be aware that the highest top is the farthest away (most Southerly), and the only one with a large well-built cairn, so you shouldn't mistake it in fog.
Roger Vander Steen wrote on February 27, 2006:
From the Glen Brittle camp site a good rebuilt path leads over towards Coir’ a’ Ghrunnda. After a grassy climb the rocky floor of the coire is entered at a slender cairn (see my photo). The route keeps to the left, above the main stream, close to a cliff towering above on the left. After passing through an area of large boulders, keep another cliff on the left. Eventually a convex slope of smooth rock bars the way but it can be climbed using a clear narrow crack for footholds. The loch will be reached soon after this. If going directly to Sgurr nan Eag, the scree slope to the south of the loch can be climbed (see my photo). This
keeps well to the right of Caisteal a’ Garbh-choire and also below the rocky crest of the ridge itself. It joins a stony terrace which climbs southwards before emerging onto a broad
ridge. This can be followed to the summit.
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