M3 |
1296 m. |
4252 ft.
Pronunciation brae-reeach
Translation Brindled greyish upper part
OS 36 | Gridref NN 953999
Alex, Cord, Frank enjoyed it
2011 Description coming soon
We walked the hill on a two-day outing of 70 kms. It took us two beautiful summer days to walk from Blair Atholl right into the heart of the Cairngorms and then to walk out again to Aviemore. We started from Blair Atholl and hiked through Glen Tilt past Marble Lodge and Beinn a’ Ghlo – a hill to be climbed on another day. Across the bridge at the waterfall of Tarf Water and then onto the boggy plain leading down to the Linn of Dee, where we camped on the far side of the River Dee on a low ridge (32 km). Millions of midges. Two hours of light breeze gave respite from their attention. Up early in the morning and off to the Devil’s Point higher up the Dee Valley where near the Corrour bothy we rested before the climb up Coire Odhar. Watched the eclipse of the sun on the summit of the hill. A sight to remember but much outpassed in beauty by the hills. Over the point 1213m we reached Cairn Toul and rested for a while. Then we bypassed Sgorr an Lochan Uaine (oblivious of the fact that it was promoted to Munro-status in 1997). Over Einich Cairn and onward across the water streaming from the Wells of Dee we reached the summit of Braeriach were again we rested and enjoyed the view across the Lairig Ghru to Ben Macdui, Carn a’ Mhaim and back to Cairn Toul, Sgorr an Lochan Uaine and Lochan Uaine. Marvellous. Then a quick descent over Sron na Lairige to the Lairig Ghru path. We followed the path through beautiful Rothiemurchus forrest – although we did not really have enough energy left to saviour much if the beauty – to reach the road at Coylumbridge (38 km) at about 9 pm. Found a B&B in Inverdruie and had two pints in Aviemore. Exiting, exhilarating, exhausting and extremely satisfying expedition. On the next day Scotrail brought us back to Blair Atholl and to our car which took us to Glen Affric next.
Description
Braeriach, more than any other Cairngorm mountain, embodies the true character of this great range. Its high plateau is surrounded on nearly every side by deep corries. It is possible to count six on the north-west flank overlooking Gleann Einich, and on the south side above the headwaters of the River Dee three more form part of the magnificent Garbh Choire. High on the summit plateau the River Dee is born and tumbles over the edge of the cliffs, the highest source of any river in Scotland. Distant views of the mountain are no less fine, and seen across the pinewoods of Rothiemurchus the north face of Braeriach, carved by three great corries, is a classic example of mountain architecture.The usual route of ascent is from the north, starting from the access road to Coire Cas about 2½ kilometres beyond Loch Morlich. Follow the footpath which at first descends to cross the river just below the road, then continue above the Allt Creag an Leth-choin and keep heading south-west through the prominent narrow gap just south-east of Creag a' Chalamain. Beyond the gap go downhill slightly, cross the Allt Druidh and climb the ridge on the west side of the Lairig Ghru to the flat summit of Sron na Lairige. Cross a shallow col and climb again round the edge of Coire Bhrochain to reach the summit of Braeriach right on the edge of the cliffs of this corrie.