The Wall
8th February 2018
Had a daunder up to Wall Gully today. It’s a reasonably sized feature carved into the shoulder of the east side of Coire Chriochairein and it’s more of an actual gully than a re-entrant. (Remember the Balloon Gully blog a few weeks ago?)
It’s a great place in a lovely situation; one of my favourites in our ‘parish’. Was expecting a bit a of a plough through deep snow getting there but was surprised to find reasonably good footing in firmer, moist snow whilst in transit up the side of Coire Ardair. Best approach to it is from the broken wall which drops down to meet the main Coire Ardair drag at its highest point. The gully begins at about 900m at the point where the actual wall seems to fizzle out.
The wall is of unknown origin but was probably never a significant structure like the well-made Wall of Moy, the boundary between Lochaber and Badenoch. Coire Chriochairein’s wall is now quite delapidated but I’d like to know more about its origins. It must have served some purpose or other at one time.
(Above) Single, lonely 3m high rowan tree at just over 750m, drawing some succour from the remains of the wall mentioned above. Next nearest tree is about 1km away at around 600m. Lochan a Choire and the Post Face in the far distant background.
(Above) Not the best day for photography. Peering down at Lochan a Choire from the bottom of Wall Gully.
(Above) A lot of post production work done on this photo to get sufficient contrast. Cornices quite a feature at the moment. Any very steep aspect with East on it is where they are largest. The rim of Coire Chriochairein at around 1000m.
(Above) More detailed shot of the upper end of Coire Ardair with Easy Gully and the Post Face right of shot.
(Above) A glimpse back down towards Loch Laggan and Aberarder. Fairly typical representation of light and visibility today.
Localised instability in new snow above 950m today. Wintry overnight and on Friday. Majority of snowfall expected during the night and pre-dawn, with showers during the day. Cold, too. Projected summit temperatures of -9 degrees C. Expecting poor stability on most lee slopes. Good route choice required tomorrow.
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Sam
9th February 2018 11:10 am
Keeping an eye on the conditions. Very keen to get up Raeburnâs Gully when the time is right. Thanks for the updates
meagaidhadmin
9th February 2018 5:06 pm
You’re right, Sam, timing is everything. Best bide your time as Raeburn’s Gully would be one place I wouldn’t want to be on Saturday.
Many thanks for your comment.