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Braeriach 2012

Braeriach 2012


Postby JonAksel » Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:07 pm

Munros included on this walk: Braeriach

Date walked: 02/12/2012

Time taken: 31 hours

Distance: 32.1 km

Ascent: 1403m

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In Aviemore I did some shopping, and guess what I bought....
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I went through forests.
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With risk of reindeer bulls.
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Winter bush.
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Old pine forest.
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I am gaining some altitude.
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A burn crossing in the heather land.
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Unpredictable weather...
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Still not bad. A Glimpse of Sgor Gaoith.
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More of the sky.
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Backview to Carn Eirig
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What happened next is that I reached somewhere on Sron na Lairig. Then the weather changed to a total whiteout. The wind was stronger and persisted all night. Even the shelter stone was hard to see from 5 yards away.

The initial madbagging plan of enjoying four munros in the light of the moon, including the wee devil, surprising people in Corrour bothy late at night, waking up early the next morning climbing Ben Macdui and Cairn Gorm, for finally to slide down the alpine ski hill for free just before they close, was now cancelled.

I gave up navigating more, so I had to stay where I was. It was enough snow of good consistence to build a wee shelter without too much effort. The left wall is a stone, the right wall is made of snow blocks.
The roof is reinforced with skis and poles. Finally i dug snow over to close gaps. Good to have the spade.
Ice-axe wouldn't help much.
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Pulling out the equipment in the morning.
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My wee home. Still mist, but the wind has calmed.
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I have to bag at least one Munro, being so near.
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You never know when it happens, but this morning was my first time to see the brocken spectre.
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The Munro summit is not on the tip of the cornice. It's a hefty drop down there.
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Top views.
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Two Munros that will wait for me. Common sence makes me turn back. Sgor an Lochain Uaine and
Cairn Toul.
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My new skis.
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An aeroplane to Los Angeles passing by. I think so. Tea or coffee?
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I can make my own drink. An alternative use of the spade provides a wind shelter.
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Life is good.
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Nice for skiing above the altitude of 700 meters.
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Lairig Ghru.
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Creag an Leth-choin.
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I found yeti-tracks as well.
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Snow-crystals.
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Sunset over the heatherland. Hard to ski here until more snow will fall.
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A bell.
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I arrived back just before dark. The days are short this time of the year.
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The route.

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JonAksel
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 111
Munros:115   Corbetts:4
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:8   
Joined: Oct 12, 2011
Location: Greenock

Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby skuk007 » Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:32 pm

That looks like an amazing couple of days Jon.

Fabulous views and doesn't the Lairig Ghru look fab (and scary) with all that snow.
Don't think much of your meal :lol: but I bet it tasted great.
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Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby PeteR » Wed Dec 05, 2012 12:03 am

Great report and great pictures :D Lairig Ghru looks stunning with al that snow :D
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Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby Meatball » Wed Dec 05, 2012 4:07 pm

I enjoyed reading about your trip...a proper adventure!
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Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby basscadet » Wed Dec 05, 2012 4:14 pm

What a fab report.. looks like such a beautiful day.. :D

Used to love snow shelters but it has been years.. doesnt seem as appealing these days :shock:
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Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby Frigate » Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:20 pm

Superb report and pictures, wish I had the bottle to stay out after dark.
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Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby rjpatyou » Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:39 pm

Now thats wild camping without the tent :shock: well done great report
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Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby wilkiemurray » Wed Dec 05, 2012 6:42 pm

enjoyed your report and a proper adventure - building your own shelter - was it cold overnight!??!
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Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby Scotjamie » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:07 pm

Nice one Jon - Superb report including great pics and great interest.

Reminds me of my winter survival course...snowholes, avalanche reading...then a panic before heading for the Old Bridge Inn...(well, I always was afraid of Pangifer Tarandus!)
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Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby JonAksel » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:22 pm

skuk007 wrote:Don't think much of your meal...

Reduced to clear bread from Tesco. I was just heating it a little on top of the kettle. :wink:
JonAksel
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Posts: 111
Munros:115   Corbetts:4
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Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:8
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Location: Greenock

Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby JonAksel » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:30 pm

PeteR wrote:Lairig Ghru looks stunning with al that snow :D

Indeed it's a very nice sight. I would like more snow though, to make more proper skiing in the lower areas. Give me shoulder high snow to make a better home in the snow.
JonAksel
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 111
Munros:115   Corbetts:4
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:8   
Joined: Oct 12, 2011
Location: Greenock

Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby JonAksel » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:41 pm

Meatball wrote:I enjoyed reading about your trip...a proper adventure!

But I misjudged my own pace. The plan was to reach Courror bothy. Too slow from the morning. I was in a way trapped there in the whiteout. That well shaped stone made it easy for me to make a shelter. I consider the snowshovel as an important safety equipment in winter. Without the shovel it wouldn't be much comfort.
JonAksel
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 111
Munros:115   Corbetts:4
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:8   
Joined: Oct 12, 2011
Location: Greenock

Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby JonAksel » Wed Dec 05, 2012 8:53 pm

basscadet wrote:Used to love snow shelters but it has been years..

I still love it. I learned the madbagger word from your reports. With only 64 munros this year, I can't keep your pace.
I see you have done a lot since I met you on Beinn Tulaichean an early morning in May this year.
JonAksel
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 111
Munros:115   Corbetts:4
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:8   
Joined: Oct 12, 2011
Location: Greenock

Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby JonAksel » Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:02 pm

Frigate wrote:Wish I had the bottle to stay out after dark.

A candle will light up very nicely in a snowhome. You can cook, eat and read.
JonAksel
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 111
Munros:115   Corbetts:4
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:8   
Joined: Oct 12, 2011
Location: Greenock

Re: Braeriach 2012

Postby JonAksel » Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:09 pm

rjpatyou wrote:Now thats wild camping without the tent :shock:

I am afraid my own tent is not designed for winter and strong wind. I feel more safe and comfortable in the snow home than in a tent.
And it's so quiet.
JonAksel
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 111
Munros:115   Corbetts:4
Fionas:2   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:8   
Joined: Oct 12, 2011
Location: Greenock

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