TRUELY ALPINE DAY ON BRAERIACH

Cairn Toul from the summit of Braeriach

Glen Einich still holding snow at low altitudes

The North corries of Braeriach

600m of neve! Sgurr Gaoithe in the distance

The summit

Ben Macdui from the summit

For regular viewers of this blog you may have noticed that I've used the word 'Alpine' quite a few times this winter, especially just recently with all this glorious weather and snow conditions we've been enjoying. Well today I have to say that it really was 'Alpine'. I had a very leisurely 11.15am start and headed off on the bike from the house up the track to Loch Einaich. The skies were completely blue by this time, very little breeze and feeling much warmer down at glen level. I hit the snow quite low down, around 400m on the track which was fun but then the drifts and ice got more awkward so it was much easier to walk! The views into the glen and up to Braeriach were superb. It was down to base layer in the hot snow. For over 600m I enjoyed neve to the summit, linking up all the superb, well filled in gully's and stream beds. The views amazing, the best day on Braeriach this winter. Not a breath of wind on the summit and wonderful clarity. I made the summit in 3 hours 25 minutes from the house, the neve helped! A fab run down on the bike with the odd icy patch to skid on! Days don't get much better than this. Please winter don't go away!