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Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle)

Munro
Quick Facts
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
986 m (3234 ft)

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).

Grid Ref.
NG44392159
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
164 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
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.
Meaning
Red rocky peak
 

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.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  32   South Skye & Cuillin Hills
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Sgurr Dearg is one of the most challenging peaks on the Black Cuillin Ridge. The first 978m of Sgurr Dearg is within the ability of hillwalkers, however, the final 8m, which is the additional height of the narrow blade of rock known as the Inaccessible Pinnacle, is for climbers.

The ascent starts on Sron Dearg which is the W ridge of Sgurr Dearg Beag up grass and scree to a rocky ridge with some scrambling to reach Sgurr Dearg.

If you are prepared and have your climbing harness and a rope then go down the S side of the pinnacle to the base to join the queue to ascend the narrow exposed crest of the pinnacle and abseil down the W face.

Hazards you may encounter on Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle) include
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Rock Climb required to reach summit.
 Magnetic rock, compass bearings inacurate.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle)

The western ridge of Sgurr Dearg from Glen Brittle, with Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and Sgurr Alasdair to the right.

© Craig Robinson
Image by Craig Robinson

Climbing the East Ridge of "the pin" on a wet, windy and cloudy day. It was brilliant

© Thom Brown
Image by Thom Brown

Sgurr Dearg (Inaccessible Pinnacle) in dark profile. Photo taken from Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh, across the razor-edge of the southwest ridge.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

The Inaccessible Pinnacle taken from the top of the Great Stone Shoot between Sgurr Alasdair and Sgurr Thearlaich, June 2009.

© Calum Dinnes
Image by Calum Dinnes
View All 21 Images for Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle)

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Sgurr Mhic Choinnich
by Metcheck
Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle) Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle).

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  Routes that include Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle)
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1040 m 7 km 3.5 hrs Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle)  Easy climb till you get to the pinnacle then very difficult.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle)

  Baggers Gallery for Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle)

Me stood on the boulder at the top of the In Pinn

© Fraser Love
Image by Fraser Love

Sgurr Dearg 27th July 2014

© Oliver Bartrum
Image by Oliver Bartrum

Summit 5 of my two day/19hr traverse :-)

© Colin Fridge
Image by Colin Fridge

Me at the yop of the In Pin ...

© Libby Smith

Image by Libby Smith
View All 25 Baggers Images for Sgurr Dearg (inaccessible pinnacle)
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Recently Climbed By
Stevie Yates on 28 May 2023
Stephen Martin on 04 May 2023

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 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 11 comments. Would you like to view all 11?
John Doig
wrote on
September 13, 2012
Hiked up the In Pin in 30 mph winds in the rain which made for a very greasy and nerve wracking experience for a non climber but had a very large smile on my face afterwards. All this would not have been possible without our expert guide Jonah Jones (skyemountainfever@hotmail.co.uk) who gave us the instructions and confidence to overcome it. Being a member of the Scottish Mountain Rescue team I felt very secure in the knowledge myself and my friend were in safe hands and he made for great company to and from the In Pin itself. He is also the best priced guide I could find and will certainly be calling him again next year to conquer the rest of the difficult Munro’s on the Black Cuillin Ridge.
Libby Smith
wrote on
July 30, 2012
was not looking forward to this at all weather was,nt great but my fantastic guide johna jones (skyemountainfever@hotmail.co.uk) got it bang on he said there would be a small weather window which would give us the chance to conquor the pin & he was right he was the 2nd guide ive been with on skye but he was different class will definately be back with him he has excellent mannarism & took care of me superbly so thanks johna,
Sc Joss
wrote on
May 30, 2012
Excellent day on the Pinn on 26th May in superb weather. get up early avoid the queues as some people waited more than an hour and half. bit too much time to get nervous! if going on to Mhic conich the slabs below the Pinn are not the nicest trip down. probably need to do it in reverse on a wet day.
Joseph Buchanan
wrote on
May 6, 2011
Managed to get this done on a wet and windy day with my wife and my dad who is 69 well done to them both. We were guided up by Mike Lates and his assistant Francis who did a brilliant job and made the day even more enjoyable and memorable. A big thank you to them
Aileen Moir
wrote on
July 21, 2009
Achieved the In-Pin on Sunday 19th July - a fantastic experience, wouldnt have managed without our guide Graham Paterson of Skyehi.co.uk as hadn't done any rock type climbing before and the weather was atrocious - thoroughly recommend him!!
 
 

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