KING'S CHIMNEY TO SGURR DEARG
The next challenge was Kings Chimney. We reached the foot of it just after midday, set up a belay and David led on up. It isn't one of the most elegant of climbs. The lower part of the crack is just slightly too big to jam your boot into and it is a relief to get above the chock stone. As I sat there I noticed two people struggling up the Great Stone Chute – three steps up and then sliding two back down. They looked to be having a hard time of it as one was some way behind and close against the rocks on the far side. Two more walkers appeared just below us and as I followed up Kings Chimney I was acutely aware of being watched making this most ungraceful climb! By 12:50 we were on the summit of Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. We removed harnesses and put the rope away but kept our helmets on to protect us on the scramble up An Stac where there is quite a lot of loose rock.

We paused at the bottom of An Stac for a welcome half hour lunch break. We took off our boots to dry out and rest our sweaty feet. It was most pleasant but all too soon we were off again. At 2:15pm we were on the summit of An Stac and overlooking the Inaccessible Pinnacle. Time was now pressing and we decided to skirt around the In Pinn. We had climbed it previously and although there was no one on it we decided we were already running very late.