fain to descend by the shortest route into Sugach Corrie. Later, Gall Inglis and the writer (Vol. VII., p. 70) were decoyed from their purpose by the alluring charms of the Knife Edge of Sugach, so that it was left to this year, April 1905, before we pierced the mystery that hung round the corrie of Crois. Motoring to Inveruglas with my family, we chose the southern side of Inveruglas Water, and following the footpath underneath the railway close by the road, emerged on the boggy ground. It was dry going, as the cold night had locked up the waters in the reservoirs, but subsequent descents and detours confirmed the opinion that it is much better to take the Loch Sloy footpath from Inveruglas Farm, subsequently crossing the river when near Crois. The corrie of Crois is a very narrow one, and lies high up near the summit. It is somewhat nearer Arrochar than Inveruglas, and up to the last minute preserves its secrecy well. But, at last, rounding the last knob we were face to face with the mystery. It can hardly be called a corrie, although the crescentic stretch of cliffs lends colour to the name. The cliffs, 400 to 500 feet high, much resemble those of the Cobbler, and in one place from below show a projecting beak or pinnacle curiously like the north peak of that mountain. The cliffs may conveniently be divided into three sections. Nearest Inveruglas, and least in height, the Pinnacle Buttress. Α steep chimney, with at least two pitches, separates this from the Central Buttress, a mass of slabs with possible cracks and ledges, first climbed on 23rd May 1905. To the west a deep cut couloir, and beyond this the largest buttress rising nearly to the summit. A subsidiary ridge rises from the bottom of the couloir, and may afford a sporting route to the summit. Reserving the Pinnacle Buttress, our first intention was to climb the sporting ridge, and with Mrs Inglis Clark leading, we made some progress, but as I was due in Edinburgh that evening, we traversed a snowy ledge into the couloir, and under the leadership of the ladies, reached the summit without difficulty.

The view from Crois is unique, and in some respects finer than from the neighbouring mountains. On this account alone fellow-members are urged to make its

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acquaintance. The chief feature is the marvellous outlook down Loch Lomond, which, with its numerous islands, merges in blue distance into the Campsie Fells. To the south, Loch Long stretches without interruption to the Firth of Clyde, Holy Island projecting far out from the Arran hills into the middle distance. The peaks of Arran are well seen, and then round to the right are Narnain, Ime, Vane, and Vorlich. From Crois the ridge of Sugach is like some broad highway leading to Narnain, which from here presents a noble appearance (see illustration). Ben Ime also shows at its best. As snow was plentiful we glissaded towards Sugach, and avoiding the boggy ground in the corrie, visited Narnain caves, and so home. A week later the arrival of H. and C. W. Walker from Dundee, in their six H.P. De Dion motor, gave us a further opportunity. to explore the corrie. Approaching it this time from Arrochar, the appearance of the cliffs was so different that at first we were in doubts as to their identity, and in determining this, C. Walker, with Mrs Clark, came on a fine ridge right below the Pinnacle Buttress, which afforded an interesting, and in parts, difficult climb.

Meanwhile the rest of the party had reached the foot of the rocks, which were now heavily fringed with huge icicles. The original idea to climb the sporting ridge or the southern buttress was negatived by the constant bombardment of the rocks by masses of ice falling from above. For the same reason the snow gullies were risky, and we had to shelter below a projecting rock to avoid the masses. of ice which were constantly bounding over the grassy slopes of the corrie. One of the blocks of ice was not less than nine or ten inches in diameter, a sufficiently dangerous missile. On reuniting our forces, the Pinnacle Buttress, which was now in shadow, seemed the most feasible, and promised good sport. Our party of six on 140 feet of rope were nicely spaced, and under C. Walker's leadership, the first pitch of the gully to the left was carried. Here an ice avalanche proved a serious danger, but all escaped except the writer, who was second on the rope. Fortunately the mass struck fair on the chest, and inflicted no injury. From the pitch the ascent of the Pinnacle was

made direct, our rope just giving sufficient space to obtain good positions or hitches. An interesting little traverse with a long stretch gave occasion for pause, and near the top a steep wall with few holds proved trying, but under our able leader difficulties vanished, and we ended exactly on the top of the sensational Pinnacle (see illustration). A narrow knife edge, best traversed stride-legs, leads in about ten feet to the overhanging point, where a small cairn was raised. No one assuredly will ever ascend from the outside and traverse the Pinnacle. Most superb cloud effects rejoiced us all the way, and some 600 feet of excellent glissading rewarded us on our return journey. Our glowing accounts fired Messrs Goggs and Raeburn to further explorations, and on the 23rd May 1905, they proceeded to the Corrie of Crois. At the writer's suggestion they attacked the Central Buttress, which they ascended to the top. Mr Raeburn writes thus regarding it: "It is a steep and interesting little climb. A grass-covered chimney, near the foot, was found to be the most difficult portion. A good deal of time was spent in trying to force the Absolute Arête' near the top, but eventually an escape was found to the left by a narrow overhung grass ledge. A small cairn was built above this." The description of the corrie as looking to Loch Lomond is incorrect. It does not look to Inveruglas, the nearest point of the loch, but it rather looks down to the foot of the loch. (See photograph from the Pinnacle.)