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Braeriach traverse
Braeriach traverse
by Broggy1 » Mon Jul 31, 2017 12:53 pm
Route description: Cairn Toul - Braeriach traverse
Munros included on this walk: Braeriach, Cairn Toul, Sgor an Lochain Uaine, The Devil's Point
Date walked: 28/07/2017
Time taken: 9.3 hours
Distance: 36.9 km
Ascent: 2459m
Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).We'd long planned to head up to Scotland for the last weekend in July but the weather forecast did not look at all promising in the lead up with the best of any weather suggesting East of the A9. No problem. Love the Cairngorms.
After arriving in Aviemore late on Thursday night/Friday morning, we pitched and got a few hours before an early start with the idea being to tackle the Cairn Toul - Braeriach traverse on Friday.
While the weather was clearly better where we were we had to be realistic and realise that we were climbing some of the biggest hills in the Country and clag along the plateau was very likely.
As it turned out we only really got clag along the plateau from Braeriach to Cairn Toul - meaning careful navigation was required which was made easier by keeping right to the edge of the cliffs on our left. Winds got lighter throughout the day and the clag lifted entirely after Cairn Toul to leave a good day on the whole with only passing showers afterwards.
The route itself is a demanding one with some rough boulder crossings. My mate slipped on the approach to the Chalamain Gap the second time round and cut his chin (I'll not post the pictures on here). Luckliy we were close to the car and he was able to quickly get to Aviemore for three stitches. But a reminder of the perils of this route, particularly during that second crossing so late in the day.
Despite this setback it was a day to remember.
Camera went funny early and phones also kept playing so pictures are a mixed bag to say the least.
Re: Braeriach traverse
by Alteknacker » Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:33 pm
Nice route, and it looks like you got quite lucky with the weather (at least by comparison with what the Met Office were predicting). I also had clag between Braeriach and Cairn Toul, and used the same strategy as you to keep on track. But I have to confess to being disappointed that I missed the view, for once the clag cleared I could get an idea of what I'd missed. And for me so far, the Cairngorms is all about looking down or up at amazing cliffs and corries.
I have to say, you did this in such a quick time, I'm surprised you any time for pics
- Naismith + 25% - that's what I call motoring!
You MUST have been jogging on the downhills, and doing the uphills like an express train...???.
Or maybe I'm just old
I have to say, you did this in such a quick time, I'm surprised you any time for pics


Or maybe I'm just old

-
Alteknacker - Scrambler
- Posts: 2472
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- Joined: May 25, 2013
- Location: Effete South (of WIgan, anyway)
Re: Braeriach traverse
by Broggy1 » Sun Aug 06, 2017 3:10 pm
Alteknacker wrote:Nice route, and it looks like you got quite lucky with the weather (at least by comparison with what the Met Office were predicting). I also had clag between Braeriach and Cairn Toul, and used the same strategy as you to keep on track. But I have to confess to being disappointed that I missed the view, for once the clag cleared I could get an idea of what I'd missed. And for me so far, the Cairngorms is all about looking down or up at amazing cliffs and corries.
I have to say, you did this in such a quick time, I'm surprised you any time for pics- Naismith + 25% - that's what I call motoring!
You MUST have been jogging on the downhills, and doing the uphills like an express train...???.
Or maybe I'm just old
Thanks! The Cairngorms really are epic mountains - as your mega walks in them last year attested to.

Yeah we were pretty happy all in all as the forecast had looked grim and we mostly got a good few days. Would have preferred clarity between Braeriach and Cairn Toul but we did get to see it all in it's glory from Cairn Toul and the valley afterwards.
I guess we did motor a bit in parts on this one. The injury to my mate sped us up as we knew we had to get back ASAP once that happened.
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