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Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach


Postby railton22 » Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:40 pm

Route description: Braeriach, circuit from Whitewell

Munros included on this walk: Braeriach

Date walked: 21/08/2015

Time taken: 7 hours

Distance: 21.3 km

Ascent: 1330m

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Team Railton v Braeriach

A bit of a cheat here; we didn't do the circuit as described in WH but plotted our own route- a there and back again starting from the Sugar Bowl. This route was slightly shorter than WH coming in at 13.3 miles.....and that'll dink dank do for us.

David: Braeriach, we're comin' to get you!!!

Sarah: Whoo hoo good o'l Dave finding a slightly shorter route.

Nudge: Arewethereyet?Arewethereyet?Arewethereyet?Arewetheryet?Arewethereyet? Are we there yet?

David: Forecast checked: sun, light cloud and a 4mph wind.

Sarah: Cool. It's gonna be a gooood day.

Nudge: Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

Arrive at the Sugar Bowl. Paid £2. Started off on our trek.

David: *steps out of car* Hmmm...feels pretty gusty.

Sarah: *speaking through a mouthful of windblown hair* 4mph my backside!

Nudge: Pee. Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee. Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee. Pee.

David: Think they may have got the weather wrong. *slight frown appears on face*

Sarah: *looking at wild clouds flying by and clinging onto tree* You don't say.

Nudge: Pee. Pee. Pee. Pee. Pee. Pee. Pee. Pee. Pee. Pee.

David: Brilliant track, well maintained and easy to follow. Beats tramping through bogs and heather.

Chalamain Gap comes into view

Sarah: Oooooh I can see the Chalamain Gap. Hope I don't get blown over trying to cross through it. *imagines self upside down in very undignified position with or without broken limbs*

Nudge: *now at doggy defcon 2* Girl dog smell. Girl dog smell. Girl dog smell. Girl dog smell. GIRL DOG SMELL.

DSC05553ChalamainGap210815.jpg
Something smells VERY good around here.........well to a boy dog anyway


David: This Chalamain Gap is not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

DSC05559ChalamainGap.jpg
....and he's off


Sarah: It's a lot easier than I imagined. The descent from the window at Creag Mhegaich on Wednesday was a LOT more challenging. Hope I feel like this on the return after several miles and a few thousand feet ascent.

DSC05554Chalamain Gap21815.jpg
Long hair and wild wind is not a good combination. Threatened to cut it all off by the end of the walk.


Nudge: GIRL DOG SMELL. GIRL DOGS. GIRL DOGS. GIRL DOGS. GIRL DOGS.GIRL DOGS. GIRL DOGS.

David: Uh oh that cloud doesn't look too promising. Waterproof time.

Sarah: Lots of grim cloud, I can't see Braeriach. *fights the wind for possession of waterproofs. Wins, but only just*

Nudge: Gotta pee.Gotta pee.Gotta pee.Gotta pee.Gotta pee.Gotta pee.Gotta pee.Gotta pee.

David: GPS says we've a long way yet. We're nearly at 2000ft.

Sarah: I'm not liking this wind. If it's like this at this level, what's it like at 4500ft? *pulls grim face*

Nudge: Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee. Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.

David: We've got 4 miles of uphill to go.....and this wind is getting worse.

Sarah: *to self* Uh oh. I hope we don't end up calling it. Would like to make Munro No 75 today. %@**$ wind.

Nudge: A TURD! I've found a turd!!!! *can barely contain excitement*

DSC05570Braeriach.jpg
Found a TURD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


David: *darkly* This wind is going to knock me off my feet. It's relentless.

Sarah: I need my Mint Aero please.

Nudge: *still blissed out after sniffing the turd*

David: Dog seems happy.

Sarah: How many miles now?

Nudge: Turds.

Now at the Lairig Ghru.

DSC05589Laraig Ghru.jpg
Lairig Ghru


David: Lairig Ghru is very impressive up close. We've got to climb up there. *pointing to looming shoulder ahead*

Sarah: I need TWO Mint Aeros to climb that!

Nudge: Turds.

David: My knees.

Sarah: My thighs

Nudge: Turds.

Endless path stretches out in front of us. Wind is even worse. Gusts coming stronger. Very hard to go any faster than a snail on barbiturates. Waterproofs on and hooded up to try and stop the wind from blowing down our ears.

David: *to self* Hmmm should I call it?

Sarah: SICK of this wind. I'm gonna get blown over. *lots of rude words*

Nudge: Smell girl dogs. Smell girl dogs. Smell girl dogs.Smell girl dogs.

David: We're mental.

Sarah: I think that they missed two zeros off that 4mph wind speed. $@@**wind.

Nudge:Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee. Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee. Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.

David: We're the only idiots up here.

Sarah: What? I can't hear you? %@*% wind!

Nudge: Turds. Turds. Turds. Turds. Turds. Turds. Turds. Turds. Turds.

David: Look over there. It's Carn a Mhaim. There's the Angel's Peak, Devil's Elbow and Cairn Toul out there too.

Sarah: Wish the cloud would lift a bit. It'd make a great picture if the light was right.

Nudge: Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee. Pee.Pee.Pee.Pee. Pee. Pee.

Wind is mental now, boiling up and over the top of the mountain.

DSC05587Braeriach.jpg
Evil wind blowing up out of West Gully


David: HOLD ONTO ME!. STAY AWAY FROM THE EDGE:YOU'LL GET BLOWN TO YOUR DEATH

Sarah: ROPE THE DOG TO YOU!!!

Nudge: Huh? They've put my lead on.

Approaching the last bit. Misty cloud came down and it was boiling at speeds well in excess of 50mph through wind channels in the side of the mountain. Really quite scary. Blown off our feet several times. Rain started to drive into us hard. Painful on the old legs

David: Let's just get on with it and get to the top and back down again before we get blown to our deaths.

Sarah: I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!! DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?

Nudge: It's awful drafty up my back end.

David: I CAN SEE A CAIRN!

Sarah: IS THAT A CAIRN OVER THERE?

Nudge: I'm cold.

David: IT'S NOT THE SUMMIT CAIRN. WE'VE GOT TO GO A BIT FURTHER.

Sarah: I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE SUMMIT CAIRN. IS IT MUCH FURTHER?

Nudge: I'm cold.

David: THERE IT IS. IT'S THE TOP. OVER THERE!!!!

Sarah: WHY'VE WE STOPPED. ARE YOU OK?

Nudge: They've stopped!!!!!!!Lunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunch

David: THAT'S IT WE'VE REACHED THE TOP.

Sarah: *disdainfully* IS THAT THE SUMMIT CAIRN. IT'S TINY. ARE YOU SURE. CHECK THE GPS

Nudge: lunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunch

David: *checks GPS* YES THAT'S IT!!!

Sarah: CAN I TAKE SOME PHOTOS?

Nudge: lunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunch

DSC05582Braeriach.jpg
David's happy to be at the summit; Nudge not so much so....what a grumpy face.


David: *rolls eyes and poses dutifully for camera*

Sarah: JUST TAKE THE PHOTO DAVE!!! *no jump shots today*

DSC05585Braeriach.jpg
Braeriach summit. Whoo hoo!!!


Nudge: lunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunch

Team Railton not so hastily hot foot it back down the mountain.The cloud rushes over us giving a glimpse of the sheer drop to our right. We press on fighting the wind.

David: STAY AWAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggghhhhhh!!!!!

David gets completely blown off his feet.

Up ahead of him and I'm completely oblivious to the Hub's plight as I'm also being blown off my feet, deftly managing the art of madly bicycling in thin air whilst screaming. I can't imagine that I look elegant.

Nudge: lunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunch

David: * now on all fours* YOU OKAY???

Sarah: *now lying on the ground hugging a rock* YOU GOT BLOWN OVER TOO?

Nudge: lunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunch

David: WE'RE GONNA STRUGGLE WITH THE BOULDER FIELDS!!!!

Sarah: *whimpers*

Nudge: lunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunch

Now almost at the end of first boulder field on descent.

David: ARRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah: *up ahead* MADE IT THROUGH THE BOULDER FIELD!!! DAVID??? DAVID!!!!! *spots Hubs barrel-rolling over nasty pointy rocks as wind blows him over a second time.

Nudge: My paws hurt!

David: Arrrgggghhhhhhhh!!! *finally comes to a halt*

Sarah: *fights wind and makes it over to where injured hubby is tangled amongst rocks* CAN YOU MOVE YOUR FEET? IS ANYTHING BROKEN????

Nudge: Blood?????

David: *looking down at three nasty gashes on lower leg* My leg, my arm, uh and I've twisted my back.

Sarah: Can you walk? *I'm very close to him now so I don't have to shout through the wind*

Nudge: Sore paws.

DSC05593Braeriach.jpg
Battered, bruised but not broken


David: *stoical, tenacious creature that is gets up* Yeah I can walk. My back's bad though.

Sarah: Let me help.I'll clean up that blood.

Nudge: Sore paws

David: Nah I'll be fine *walks off with blood dripping down leg*

Sarah *to self* Stubborn b****r

Nudge: * no thought, just very grumpy face as he's clearly had enough*

DSC05599Braeriach.jpg
The poor dog lies shattered at my feet


David: It'll be teatime by the time we have lunch *visualises nice cheese and tomato roll being carried away on the wind followed by his crisps*

Sarah: THAT'S IT. WE'RE HAVING LUNCH and drops to the ground near some rocks offering pitiful shelter.

Nudge: Yay!

David: *eats lunch with a grimace* I just want to be down this mountain.

Sarah: Wind's getting a bit better.

Nudge: *chowing down dog biccies with one VERY beady eye on our pack-up*

After lunch we finally make it to the relative calm of the Lairig Ghru, although the wind is funneling through there at a pace, it is no longer enough to knock us off our feet. A check of Nudge's feet shows that all four of his paws are bleeding. The wind and rocks clearly didn't help him either.

DSC05594Braeriach.jpg
The dog pulls his saddest sad face. The corners of his mouth couldn't get any lower.


David: More b****y uphill

Sarah: Should we carry the dog?

Nudge: Sounds good to me.

David: Are you having a laugh? I want carrying first!

Sarah: I'm not carrying BOTH of you!

Nudge: Bummer.

DSC05603Laraig Ghru.jpg
Cairngorm side of Lairig Ghru


Now back at the Chalamain Gap. We make our way through it unscathed, although Nudge needs a helping hand.

DSC05611ChalamainGap.jpg
Jump shot


DSC05618ChalamainGap.jpg
David enjoys the views over the Chalamain Gap


David: Not far now.

Sarah: We really EARNED that Munro!

Nudge: My paws *in a grim mood, too grim to even bother with turd-sniffing*

David: Look at that. The dog's just ignored that huge turd!!!

Sarah: I can't believe my eyes. Poor Nudge

Nudge: carcaracaracarcarcarcarcarcarcarcarcarcaracarcarcarcarcarcarcarcarcar

The sugar bowl comes into view, we pass a few cheery looking families who've been on a jolly to see the reindeer. We look like the Walking Dead.
We smile.
We try not to scare the small children.

DSC05619Rothimurcas.jpg
Yay! The Sugar Bowl comes into view.


7 hours on the nose, we make it to the car. A great big chippy tea for us tonight. Treatment for Nudge's paws and even an order of chip shop gravy to go with the dog's dinner. A tough walk but a great feeling of accomplishment.

Team Railton go home.
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railton22
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Re: Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Postby litljortindan » Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:18 pm

A gripping tale! 80mph I reckon to knock someone off their feet.
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Re: Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Postby goth_angel » Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:35 pm

Amusing report :lol: well done for pressing on. Not sure I would have in wind that strong.

Useful as considering this for our ton up and will most likely have a dog with us. Liked the dog commentary - hopefully the turd will have gone by then :lol:
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Re: Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Postby railton22 » Fri Aug 28, 2015 7:46 pm

litljortindan wrote:A gripping tale! 80mph I reckon to knock someone off their feet.


Thanks litjortindan....80mph sounds much more impressive the 50mph. I had a look online to check the Cairngorm weather station and was honestly expecting 3 figures. Gonna have to put some lead in our boots next time :wink:
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Re: Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Postby railton22 » Fri Aug 28, 2015 7:54 pm

goth_angel wrote:Amusing report :lol: well done for pressing on. Not sure I would have in wind that strong.

Useful as considering this for our ton up and will most likely have a dog with us. Liked the dog commentary - hopefully the turd will have gone by then :lol:



Haha thanks Goth-Angel. I think it was a heady combination of the Hubs' stubbornness and my stupidity that stopped us from bailing.

As for dogs, it was the boulder fields (especially the Chalamain Gap) that caused the trouble for Nudge. He rushes at things and ripped all four paws -hence the grim expression on his face. Hes better now tho' :)

If your dog is "normal" and sensible unlike our mad Collie then they'll be fine.

If it wasn't for the horrendous wind it would have been an awesome walk. The paths mean that you can't really go wrong and the views (when the cloud cleared) were spectacular.

All the best for your big 100 and hope if you do choose Braeriach then I hope that you have far better conditions than we did. :)

As for the turd, I daresay it's probably been blown halfway to Norway by now :wink:
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Re: Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Postby ancancha » Fri Aug 28, 2015 8:13 pm

You seem to have developed a severe stammer on this walk :shock:
Perhaps you should have gone to the loo before setting off :lol:
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Re: Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Postby railton22 » Sat Aug 29, 2015 5:07 pm

ancancha wrote:You seem to have developed a severe stammer on this walk :shock:
Perhaps you should have gone to the loo before setting off :lol:


No Ancancha, that's not MY stammer. It belongs to the dog. Given that he's a Collie with a very small brain (he's a failed sheepdog) he's not able to type but he was insistent that I typed his doggy contribution verbatim :wink: :wink:
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Re: Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Postby Bob the Dog » Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:20 pm

I loved your report!!! I reckon Nudge and me would have a real good time searching for girl dogs!!!
This is the only hill I was tired on, after going to Corrour from the Sugarbowl. And up Devil's Point etc to do the full traverse, in s***e weather, was blooming knackered by the end.
My paws must be tougher though cos they didn't bleed.
Btw, I'm also a failed farm dog
Woof woof
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Re: Evil wind does NOT stop play on Braeriach

Postby railton22 » Mon Aug 31, 2015 1:27 pm

Bob the Dog wrote:I loved your report!!! I reckon Nudge and me would have a real good time searching for girl dogs!!!
This is the only hill I was tired on, after going to Corrour from the Sugarbowl. And up Devil's Point etc to do the full traverse, in s***e weather, was blooming knackered by the end.
My paws must be tougher though cos they didn't bleed.
Btw, I'm also a failed farm dog
Woof woof


Well hello Bob the Dog (Nudge has asked his human, Sarah, to type a reply).

Thank you for liking my contribution to the report. Together with my human, Sarah I've been having a look at the walks you've done. You look like a fine chap to hang around with. Sarah says that you're very handsome indeed.

All of Team Railton are very impressed that you did the whole traverse and no battered paws either. You must be one tough dog. It's always great to hear of another failed sheepdog but any-dog that has done what you did can't be classed as "failed" in any sense.

Respect to you.

If you ever want to go looking for girl dogs, well I'm happy to be your wingman.

Happy hillwalking, Bob.

Paws up from Nudge *woof sniff woof*
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