High summit traverse
NN981958 There’s little warm-up from here with a steep 359m pull straight out of the bothy door. The path up the Devil’s Point is clear, following the Allt a’Choire Odhair on the left (south) bank for the first 500m and then crossing to the right (north). This is the last fast-flowing water source before Braeriach at the end of the day. Follow the zigzagging path steeply up through rocks. Near the top, another path splits off south, crossing the burn to reach the broad, rocky saddle. You’ll be returning this way, so might want to stash your bags to make the last dash up the Devil’s Point unencumbered. The path is more vague here but the way, in good weather, is clear enough, climbing through rough rocky ground to the summit.
NN976951 Enjoy the view of the southern Cairngorms, its lower hills and the curve of the River Dee spread out before you. It feels something like standing on the edge of a cliff, looking out to sea. When you’ve had enough, turn back to follow your route back to the saddle, continuing uphill handrailing an intermittent path up the east-facing cliffs of Stob Coire An t-Saighdeir. After this second high point of the day comes a 46m descent with Cairn Toul’s rocky summit pyramid rearing up above. It can take experienced eyes to trace the path through the boulder field to the short summit ridge,
the highest point lying at its northern tip.
NN963972 From the top of Cairn Toul (Munro no. 2) head almost directly west down to a saddle at 1140m with glorious views of Lochan Uaine cupped in the high terraces of the mountainside. Keep handrailing the plateau edge, now climbing up the eastern flank of Sgor an Lochain Uaine (The Angel’s Peak). The path here, though rocky, is well worn.
NN954976 The summit promontory affords great views of Braeriach with almost the whole of the remaining route visible ahead and the dark recesses of An Garbh Coire below. The snow patches that cling to the upper reaches are some of the longest-lasting in the UK. Descend west-southwest, following a path handrailing the cliffs around the rim of the corrie to Carn na Criche and the edge of Braeriach’s summit plateau.
It’s easy to become disoriented on this sprawling hilltop, so use your compass to stay on track. From the summit of Carn na Criche, walk north, crossing the burn which pours into the Falls of Dee. From here, head north-east towards Braeriach’s summit, cutting the corner above the Great Couloir to avoid losing height.
NN953999 Fatigue of body and mind, eagerness to pitch up, murky terrain and fading light can all combine here to make your last few metres hellish. Rest, snack if needed, and pay more attention than usual to your nav before leaving the summit. Set out south-west down the slopes to three interlinked pools, the first at NN945996. Follow the stream to the third pool and from here head south-south-west towards the Wells of Dee. In good weather, this affords views of the peaks, a fresh water source, flat ground and reindeer.