Maddy and Nick's Munro log: Blaven, Skye. 17th March 2013

Blaven from Loch Slapin

Whilst visiting our friends John and Ian on Raasay we decided to try and get up Blaven on Skye (Skye's only Munro that is not part of the Cuillin ridge). The weather was looking best on Sunday but the only ferry off Raasay was at 10 am and the last one back was at 4 giving us 6 hours to get up and down! Mission on... We had a big party consisting of Ash, John, Jen (virgin Munroist) Ian and Ian's mate as well as Maddy and I. From the starting point at sea level on loch Slapin, Blaven looks formidable especially in winter! Doubting if we would get to the top we set off all the same. The climb up was sustained and spectacular without ever feeling too exposed or steep. Many a snowball were thrown, many a chocolate brownie were consumed. To our surprise we made it to the summit no probs and then had a spectacular view of the Cuillin ridge which only reveals itself in the last 5 steps to the top - amazing. Unfortunately forgot the camera but Maddy snapped a couple of pics on i-phone and we even made it back in time for a pint in Broadford before the ferry.