Sgùrr MhicChoinnich

Sgùrr MhicChoinnich
Highest point
Elevation 948 m (3,110 ft)[1]
Prominence c. 56 m
Listing Munro
Coordinates 57°12′31″N 6°13′28″W / 57.20856°N 6.22442°W / 57.20856; -6.22442Coordinates: 57°12′31″N 6°13′28″W / 57.20856°N 6.22442°W / 57.20856; -6.22442
Naming
Translation MacKenzie's Peak (Gaelic)
Pronunciation Scottish Gaelic: [ˈs̪kurˠ içˈkɤɲɪç]
Geography
Location Skye,  Scotland
Parent range Cuillin
OS grid NG450210
Topo map OS Landranger 32, OS

Sgùrr MhicChoinnich is a mountain on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It is in the Black Cuillin range of mountains and is classified as a Munro. Like all the other Black Cuillin mountains it is made predominantly of gabbro rock and has little vegetation. The mountain is named after the mountain guide, John MacKenzie.

The most common route to the summit involves climbing the An Stac scree slopes out of Coire Lagan to reach the bealach between Sgùrr MhicChoinnich and Sgùrr Dearg. From here an airy and challenging scramble up the peak's north ridge is required to attain the summit. The ascent is a challenging climb by the standards of British mountains, being an exposed scramble at Grade 2 standard. The south face of the mountain, by contrast, falls sheer to the bealach between Sgùrr MhicChoinnich and Sgùrr Thearlaich, and the easiest route up this face (King's Chimney) is a V. Diff rock climb. Moreover, this bealach cannot be reached from below without further rock climbing, and the north ridge of Sgùrr Thearlaich which leads down to the bealach contains an awkward rock step (a Moderate rock climb) which must be taken in descent. For those with the ability to reach this bealach, however, a remarkable terrace, Collie's Ledge, which is only a Grade 2 scramble, avoids King's Chimney entirely by traversing the western flank of the peak and joining up with the north ridge. This ledge is difficult to find, but when located, it is often used by mountaineers on the full traverse of the Cuillin ridge to gain the summit without having to climb King's Chimney.

References

  1. "walkhighlands Sgurr Mhic Choinnich". walkhighlands.co.uk. walkhighlands.co.uk. 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
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