Braeriach
Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:25 pmFollowing our trip up Bynack More the following day we had a nice leisurely day and walked up Creag Bhag at Kingussie and a look around the Ruthen Barracks, our limbs now rested we sat in the warm sunshine in Aviemore looking over towards the magnificent Cairngorm Mountains, which still had a little snow on the Northern cliffs and corries. We decided that tomorrow we would like to have a look up the Lairig Ghru and maybe if we had the energy to summit Braeriach. The route from the Sugar Bowl and returning the same way was our choice. This we accepted was a step up from the walks we had previously undertaken and focussed our mind on the 8 to 10 hour hill walk we had set ourselves.
We parked at the Sugar Bowl on what promised to be a fine day, there was a little cloud cover on the tops bur were hopeful the weather man had got the forecast right today and we would have the anticipated views at the top.
The route is clear after crossing the road a delightful decent through woodland and then over the Alt Creag an Leth–choin (that’s a mouthful) before climbing onto the moor with views of the Ski Centre and the Chalamain Gap in the distance which was our next objective. Having read many reports about the nature of this scramble, I was not sure if I was looking forward to it. As we approached the Gap it was not as difficult as I had thought however the further you get in the more concentration is required as a slip could prove very nasty, the gaps between the boulders are lethal leg breakers, I would not relish the thought of scrambling over here when wet.
Once through a deserved coffee break was had with our objective in sight but covered in cloud for now….The track from here is pretty well eroded and I am sure when wet very boggy, however today it was dry with little sign of those boot sucking bogs. A decent of 100 metres to the Lairig Ghru is necessary before the steep climb up towards Sron na Lairige. Striking views of Lurchers Crag are enjoyed on the way up and again there are some minor boulder fields still to negotiate.
I took a slight diversion here from the main path which traverses the cliff edge which looks down the Larig Ghru and headed for the summit cairn of Sron na Lairige. There are good views from here too looking over to Sgor Gaoth and back towards Aviemore. The objective was now clearly in view, yet still some distance to travel as yet however the views were getting better and better with clear views of Ben MacDui, Derry Cairngorm and the Devils Point.
The path then descends towards a grassy col where a deserved cup of coffee was had before climbing the last section of the Mountain, I was looking forward to the next panorama of Carn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine from the the cliffs of Coire Bhrocain. I was not disappointed and hope that my attached pictures speak fro themselves. The view was awesome and a welcome sight was had as the summit cairn of Braeriach appeared.
This in my view is one of the best walks I have ever done, looking back towards the Chalamain Gap looked an awful long way back and it was reluctance that we had to leave the summit to head back the way we came.
We parked at the Sugar Bowl on what promised to be a fine day, there was a little cloud cover on the tops bur were hopeful the weather man had got the forecast right today and we would have the anticipated views at the top.
- Looking towards the Chalamain Gap
The route is clear after crossing the road a delightful decent through woodland and then over the Alt Creag an Leth–choin (that’s a mouthful) before climbing onto the moor with views of the Ski Centre and the Chalamain Gap in the distance which was our next objective. Having read many reports about the nature of this scramble, I was not sure if I was looking forward to it. As we approached the Gap it was not as difficult as I had thought however the further you get in the more concentration is required as a slip could prove very nasty, the gaps between the boulders are lethal leg breakers, I would not relish the thought of scrambling over here when wet.
- Lurchers Crag and path up towards Sron na Lairige
- back towards Chalamain gap
- Lurchers Crag
- Braeriach clearing?
- Views opening up
Once through a deserved coffee break was had with our objective in sight but covered in cloud for now….The track from here is pretty well eroded and I am sure when wet very boggy, however today it was dry with little sign of those boot sucking bogs. A decent of 100 metres to the Lairig Ghru is necessary before the steep climb up towards Sron na Lairige. Striking views of Lurchers Crag are enjoyed on the way up and again there are some minor boulder fields still to negotiate.
I took a slight diversion here from the main path which traverses the cliff edge which looks down the Larig Ghru and headed for the summit cairn of Sron na Lairige. There are good views from here too looking over to Sgor Gaoth and back towards Aviemore. The objective was now clearly in view, yet still some distance to travel as yet however the views were getting better and better with clear views of Ben MacDui, Derry Cairngorm and the Devils Point.
- We did it!!!
The path then descends towards a grassy col where a deserved cup of coffee was had before climbing the last section of the Mountain, I was looking forward to the next panorama of Carn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine from the the cliffs of Coire Bhrocain. I was not disappointed and hope that my attached pictures speak fro themselves. The view was awesome and a welcome sight was had as the summit cairn of Braeriach appeared.
- Yours Truly
- Aviemore in the distance
- Lurchers Crag and Lairig Ghru
- Braeriach from the Gap
- Carol negotiating the tricky boulders
This in my view is one of the best walks I have ever done, looking back towards the Chalamain Gap looked an awful long way back and it was reluctance that we had to leave the summit to head back the way we came.
