Aladdins Couloir, Coire an t-Sneachda, March 3rd 2013

This was Jon's first "proper" winter mountain trip, so we took the grade 1 route of Aladdins Couloir to go the basics of belaying, using axes and crampons, and all the faff that comes with doing stuff in winter conditions. Luckily we had good weather, although the snow was soft in some places. Everyone seemed to avoid Jacobs Ladder, as it looked to have a very dodgy cornice (which we saw from above later in the day).    

Although relatively straightforward, we roped up for Aladdins, and went through the motions to give Jon an idea of what goes on.

Mark and Jon, taking it easy at onr of the belays.  

Just before Aladdins Seat, there is a split in the gully, so we headed right to see if could get a view over Aladdins Buttress into the corrie. 

Jon enjoying the airy perch above Coire an t-Sneachda.

My belay stance whilst Jon took his pictures before dropping back into the gully.

At Aladdins Seat we stopped for a bite to eat, with cracking views of other climbers topping out above the Fluted Buttress area.  

Looking down at our route variation (Left as seen from above) from the belay.

Wide exit slopes with steeper, more interesting options to the left.

Jon and Mark, about to leave Aladdins Seat.

Final belay before topping out.

And Jon and Mark, topping out.

Team of three climbers who appeared from Aladdins Mirror area as we climbed out of the gully.

Video of the days activities.

At last! Messing about in Aladdins Couloir - Sunday 27th February 2011.

Well after,waiting all this time for some half decent weather to "happen" on a day that Myself and Mark weren't working, ie a sunday, we finally got some "half decent" weather! To be honest it didn't look promising as we walked into Sneachda with the masses, despite the promise of an improvement later in the day. The corrie was very busy with lots of routes being climbed apart from those with dodgy cornices that have slumped (Jacobs Ladder). I had thought about doing Crotched or Spiral gullies, but there were loads of teams heading up into the Trident Gullies area, so we had a very easy but useful day in Aladdins Couloir refreshing ourselves on some simple ropework - especially in the cold! We could've easily solo'd up but as we haven't been out with the rope for a while it was good to go through the motions in a very sociable and for some of the time, sheltered gully.

         

Not really as steep as it looks!

One of the other two teams that we had a chat too making their way up to the left hand side of Mark. Note the steeper exit just visible through the gap in the rocks.

The other team taking the longer traverse across the top of Aladdins Mirror and on to the plateau. For a little more spice , we took the steeper exit to the left.

Making my way up above the finish of Aladdins Mirror below, and up to Mark's bomb proof belay just below the plateau.

More interesting terrain near the top with patches of ice and rocks to weave your way through.

Climbers belaying and topping out above the Trident Gullies area (ish?).

The Fiacaill Ridge - not completely bare just yet!

Birthday in Coire an t-Sneachda

Today I spent my birthday in Coire an t-Sneachda with Mark, Willy and the crowds of other folk out enjoying the bright, but very windy weather before the forecast (?) storms were due to arrive later in the day.

Following the crowds into Sneachda. It looks pretty miserable but in fact was quite bright, even sunny alot of the time. Most of the gully lines seem to be still complete so hopefully they'll last a little longer?

The Cicerone Guide to winter climbing routes in the Cairgorms, page 29.

Heading up into Aladdin's Couloir. Although we soloed it, there was a nice ice section on the left just before the dog leg where one team was practicing with ice screws.

Looking back down the couloir to Aladdin's Pinnacle with Cairngorm in the far distance. Aladdin's Mirror, our second route, comes up to the right of the pinnacle (left in the photo) and then joins the couloir. On the plateau, we headed west and then back down into the corrie to start Aladdin's Mirror.

Looking west across the corrie to Aladdin's Mirror on the left of the picture. It was from here that earlier in the day we saw our first falling rucsac of the day, coming from somewhere in the centre of the photo!

At the left turn in Aladdin's Mirror, Mark saw what he thought was a "do-able" gully (ahem). So we headed up high above the Mirror into the narrowing chimney which turned out to be more difficult than it appeared, even with the rope. Luckily I found a handy piton to use and we "retreated" back to a snow bay above the dog leg and traversed across to the Mirror, just below Aladdin's Pinnacle.

Willy belaying Mark across the snow bay, across to the Mirror (where the other climber is). It was from just where Mark is where we saw our second falling rucsac heading down the Mirror, apparently belonging to a skier on their way down the couloir!

Back in the couloir, taking the steeper exit to the left. Then right (west) and back into Sneachda for a soggy walk back to the car!