Sgùrr Dearg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sgùrr Dearg |
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| Inaccessible Pinnacle | |
Sgùrr Dearg and the Inaccessible Pinnacle
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 985.8 m (3,234 ft) |
| Prominence | 187 m |
| Parent peak | Sgùrr Alasdair |
| Listing | Munro, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Red peak |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
| Location | Skye, Scotland |
| Parent range | Cuillin |
| OS grid | NG444215 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 32 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1880, by Charles and Lawrence Pilkington |
| Easiest route | rock climb (Moderate) |
Sgùrr Dearg is a mountain found in the Cuillin mountain range. This range is on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The name Sgùrr Dearg means "red peak" in Gaelic.
The very top of Sgùrr Dearg has a famous rock formation. It is called the Inaccessible Pinnacle. Climbers often call it the In Pin or In Pinn. This rock is like a tall, thin fin. It is about 50 metres (150 feet) long. The highest point of the Inaccessible Pinnacle is 985.8 metres (3,234 feet) high. This makes it the highest part of Sgùrr Dearg.
The Inaccessible Pinnacle is special. It is the only Munro peak that you can only reach by rock climbing. A Munro is a Scottish mountain over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) high. Because of this, the Inaccessible Pinnacle is a big challenge for people who want to climb all the Munros.
Two brothers, Charles and Lawrence Pilkington, first climbed the Pinnacle in 1880. Sir Hugh Munro, who created the list of Munros, never climbed it himself. Because it is so hard to climb, many local guides now help people reach the top. The rock of the Pinnacle is basalt. This type of rock can be slippery when wet.
Exploring Sgùrr Dearg and the In Pin
Sgùrr Dearg is part of the main Cuillin ridge. It sits where three valleys meet. These valleys are Coire Lagan, Coire na Banachdich, and Coir'-uisg. Sgùrr Dearg is the second highest peak in the Cuillin. It faces Sgùrr Alasdair, which is the highest peak.
Even though Sgùrr Dearg is the name for the whole mountain, sometimes people just mean the part right below the Inaccessible Pinnacle. This lower part is about 978 metres high. For a while, this lower part was listed as the main Munro. But later, in 1921, the higher Inaccessible Pinnacle became the official Munro peak.
How to Reach the Pinnacle
The Inaccessible Pinnacle is one of the hardest Cuillin peaks to reach. But getting to its base is not too difficult. Most climbers start their journey from Glen Brittle. From there, an easy path leads to Bealach Coire na Banachdich. This path goes through a valley called Coire na Banachdich. From the Bealach, you can climb up a slope to reach Sgùrr Dearg. This part can be a bit tricky with loose rocks.
Another way to climb Sgùrr Dearg is from Sron Dearg. This route leads to a narrow, rocky ridge. This ridge is a fun climb for those who like a bit of a challenge.
Many climbers visit Sgùrr Dearg as part of a longer trip. They might climb along the Cuillin ridge from Sgùrr MhicChoinnich. This route also offers great views and exciting climbs.
Climbing the Inaccessible Pinnacle
The Inaccessible Pinnacle was first climbed in 1880. Charles and Lawrence Pilkington were the first to reach its top. A local shepherd named John Mackenzie guided them. They climbed the long east ridge of the Pinnacle. They had to clear away many loose rocks as they went.
The most common way to climb the Inaccessible Pinnacle today is by its east ridge. This climb goes up 50 metres. It usually takes two rope sections, each about 30 metres long. This route is graded "Moderate," which is the easiest climbing grade in Britain. It has good handholds. However, the ridge is very narrow. It feels like you are on a knife-edge with huge drops on both sides.
Some climbers prefer the shorter west ridge. This route is only 20 metres long. It is graded "Very Difficult," so it is harder. After reaching the top, climbers usually lower themselves down using ropes from the west end. There is a special anchor point on the summit for this.
In 2014, a cyclist named Danny MacAskill did something amazing. He climbed Sgùrr Dearg without safety ropes. He even carried his mountain bike on his back! He made a film about his climb. This film became very popular, with millions of views online.
