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Braeriach: Coire an Lochain

Braeriach: Coire an Lochain.   Photo: Scott Muir

The North facing Coire an Lochain is clearly visible from Aviemore, and provides some short descents above the often frozen Loch Coire an Lochain.  Apart from Derelict Ridge Gully, the lines are generally indistinct, and may be buried altogether in a good snow year.  There is much scope for variation in the corrie for descent lines, in particular skiers right of the Waterfall.

The corrie is often used for a sneaky extra steeper descent after returning from the summit of Braeriach, maybe after skiing lines in Garbh Choire Mór. It has the added bonus of being followed up with a descent down The Escalator, a fine ski run in its own right.

Approach

The most obvious approach is from the North, via Gleann Eanaich. There are various options for parking (Whitewell, Loch an Eilien, Coylumbridge), all with their own limitations due to space. A bike is recommended for this approach, and as a result, consider parking a little further away, even in Aviemore itself, to reduce the pressure on these locations. It doesn't add much to your day!

If you can cross the Beanaidh Beag (there are stepping stones), then the best approach is to head uphill following the Allt Buidheannach, which is more commonly know as "The Escalator". This provides as snow sure an ascent line as you can expect (although may be firm in the morning), and a fine descent to finish the day. In its own right, it's a superb descent.

If you don't fancy crossing the Beanaidh Beag, you can follow it up into Coire Beanaidh and over the top of Braeriach to make your way to the corrie. At the end of your day, following the Allt Coire an Lochain will rejoin the Beanaidh Beag. The Allt Coire an Lochain holds snow late, but you may need to walk down from the Lochain to get to the start of it, particularly late season.

Relevant Weather Forecasts

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Relevant Avalanche Forecasts

There is one relevant Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast for Braeriach: Coire an Lochain.

The most defined gully line in the corrie, albeit quite short. It is easily identified from above by the squat tower at the top of Derelict Ridge, bounding the skiers left side of the gully.  Depending upon the size and condition of the cornice, entry may be easiest from close to the tower, cutting back right into the gully.  The gully steepens slightly where it narrows, before opening up onto the slope below.  You may wish to continue down to the lochan, or traverse left to aid your approach to The Escalator.  

Looking back up Derelict Ridge Gully  Photo: Scott Muir
Derelict Ridge Gully from below  Photo: Scott Muir
Descending Derelict Ridge Gully.  Skier: Scott Muir  Photo: Kristina Muir
The corrie headwall above the frozen loch.  Photo: Scott Muir
The distant view from the glen  Photo: Scott Muir
The top of Derelict Ridge Gully, looking across the headwall  Photo: Scott Muir
Grid Reference: NN942002

Approximate Start Height: 1150m

Approximate Descent: 120m

General Aspect: Northeast

Climbing Grade: 1

Notes: A short steepening at mid height.
 

The waterfall is a mass of ice that cascades from the low point of the corrie rim.  Usually from mid season, the ice is burried, altough the lower section can often still be a jumble of ice, sometimes with a large crack across it!  A more reliable, and enjoyable descent is to drop a short way, then cut skiers right to the open slopes, providing a fine descent to the loch.  This also has the advantage that these slopes catch the sun later in the day, and may be sun softened.  However, if the conditions on the day dictate that, then the rollover will not be pleasant.

Traversing the initial rollover.  Photo: Al Todd
Enjoying sun softened snow skiers right of the waterfall.  Skier: Scott Muir  Photo: Al Todd
Lots of variation possible traversing from the top of the waterfall.  Skier: Al Todd  Photo: Scott Muir
Lots of variation possible traversing from the top of the waterfall.  Skier: Scott Burnett  Photo: Scott Muir
The corrie headwall above the frozen loch.  Photo: Scott Muir
The distant view from the glen  Photo: Scott Muir
The top of Derelict Ridge Gully, looking across the headwall  Photo: Scott Muir
Grid Reference: NN945001

Approximate Start Height: 1180m

Approximate Descent: 180m

General Aspect: North

Climbing Grade: n/a

Notes: The rollover from the plateau can be steep. Very build up dependant.
 
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