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This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
| Altitude |
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964 m (3162 ft)
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This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.
Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.
NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).
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NG47162531
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An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
| Stature |
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191 of 282 Munros |
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The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
| Routes |
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1
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Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
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Rocky peak of the young men |
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The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.
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OS Landranger Maps Required |
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| 32 |
South Skye & Cuillin Hills |
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Sgurr nan Gillean is one of the most northerly peaks on the Black Cuillin Ridge, and one of the finest with its sharply pointed summit. The Cuillin are composed of gabbro rock which gives wonderful grip even when wet, but these mountains have narrow ridges and pointed summits which require scrambling or even rock-climbing to reach the summit. The ascent of Sgurr nan Gillean commences in Coire Riabach NNE of the summit and continues on rock and scree on the E face of the mountain to reach the SE ridge. From here the ascent is a scramble and the summit is very very small with lots of exposure!
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Hazards you may encounter on Sgurr nan Gillean include
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| Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes. |
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| Crags on or near ascent routes. |
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| Crags near summit. |
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| Narrow Ridges, with exposure. |
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| Scrambling (major), greater exposure and steeper rock. |
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| Magnetic rock, compass bearings inacurate. |
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General Considerations
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| Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent. |
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| Wind usually increases with altitude. |
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| Visibility can change markedly with cloud level. |
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| River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day. |
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Sgurr nan Gillean from the summit of Bla Bheinn on a glorious May day. 25/05/08
© Sam Marshall
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Image by Sam Marshall
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Looking up the west ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean, with Knight's Peak (pinnacle ridge) to left, taken from Am Basteir.
© David S Brown
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Image by David S Brown
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Looking up the south-east ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean. This is where the real scrambling begins. Much foreshortened, and should have a figure in it to give scale: this is a chaotic maze of giant boulders, slabs and ribs.
© David S Brown
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Image by David S Brown
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Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir, the Basteir tooth and Sgurr a Bhasteir from just northwest of the Sligachan Hotel.Breathtaking.
© Craig Robinson
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Image by Craig Robinson
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Ascent
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Distance
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Time
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Including...
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Description
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Rating
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1
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955 m
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11.71 km
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4 hrs
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Sgurr nan Gillean
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A route for scramblers only with considerable exposure. You are recommended to purchase and study a higher scale map of the Black Cuillin of Skye before attempting an ascent.
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On top Sgurr nan Gillean 13th May 2017
© Oliver Bartrum
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Image by Oliver Bartrum
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All done! The full traverse in 19hrs 20mins from boat to pint less bivvy time.
Yeehaa!
© Colin Fridge
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Image by Colin Fridge
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Myself on the summit of Sgurr nan Gillean.
© Brian Mcwilliam
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Image by Brian Mcwilliam
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Me and Andy on top after completing Pinnacle Ridge, Great fun!
© Mark Thomson
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Image by Mark Thomson
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| Showing the most recent 5 of 10 comments. Would you like to view all 10? |
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Russell Mullen
wrote on
June 10, 2013
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Excellent day via the South East Ridge with Jim Sutherland and his team on Duncan and Nathan from Nine One Six Guiding. Highly
recommend this very professional group, who got this nervous scrambler up to the summit!
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Aidan Harris
wrote on
August 26, 2010
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Climbed the tourist route in good weather. A good path rises from the hotel, crossing two bridges before entering the corrie. The path remains fairly obvious, punctuated by some small cairns, up the corrie wall of scree and boulder. Once on the shoulder continue NW upwards via scrambling. The last ten meters to the summit is extremely challenging for anyone without ropes (me!). I approached from the south side, with some terrifying handholds and crawling over large boulders to the top. Be prepared to turn back within sight of the summit if you are not up for some rock climbing!
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Roger Green
wrote on
April 26, 2007
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Climbed via the West ridge in poor weather. I have to say the exposure was terrifying - in some ways worse than the In Pinn itself. Many scrambling moves that felt decidely dodgy, over hideous exposure. A good head for heights and climbing expereince are very much required for this route.
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David S Brown
wrote on
May 23, 2006
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Sometime in recent years the once notoriously boggy beginning of 'The Tourist Route' (as mentioned in my Route Review) has been greatly improved. On my recent ascent of Am Basteir (via the tourist route as far as the lip of Coire Riabach, then branched right) it was bone dry and a really good track! (Incidentally: the comment below on this page by David Brown is from another member: he's bagged far more than me, and I'm the photographer, hope that's not confusing!)
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Craig Johnstone
wrote on
July 10, 2005
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Having never climbed a hill before, let alone a munro, I found this somewhat challenging and am rather surprised to still be alive at the end of it all, still, nice view fom the top though!!
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