Braeriach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Braeriach |
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| Am Bràigh Riabhach | |
Braeriach from the southeast
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,296 m (4,252 ft) |
| Prominence | 461 m (1,512 ft) |
| Parent peak | Ben Macdui |
| Listing | Marilyn, Munro |
| Naming | |
| English translation | The brindled upland |
| Language of name | Gaelic |
| Geography | |
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| OS grid | NN953999 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 36, 43 |
Braeriach (which means 'the brindled upland' in Gaelic) is a very tall mountain in Scotland. It is the third-highest mountain in Scotland and the whole British Isles. Only Ben Nevis and Ben Macdui are taller. Braeriach stands about 1,296 meters (4,252 feet) above the sea.
This mountain is found in the Scottish Highlands. It is the highest point in the western part of the Cairngorms mountain range. A large pass called the Lairig Ghru separates it from the central Cairngorms. The top of Braeriach is shaped like a crescent moon. It looks down over several bowl-shaped valleys called corries.
How to Reach the Summit
A popular way to climb Braeriach starts from the Sugar Bowl car park. This car park is on the road that leads to the Cairn Gorm ski area. From here, a path goes over the hillside. It leads to a rocky, steep-sided valley known as the Chalamain Gap.
After this, the path goes down about 100 meters (330 feet) to the Lairig Ghru. Once you cross this pass, the route heads towards the summit. It follows Braeriach's north ridge. You will also cross a smaller peak called Sròn na Lairige. The summit is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) from the car park using this path.
Braeriach's Famous Snow Patch
Braeriach is known for its snow. It has some of the most lasting snow patches in Scotland and the British Isles. One special snow patch is called Sphinx. It is in the Cairngorms National Park on Braeriach. This patch is famous for staying all year round.
The north-facing corrie of Garbh Coire Mor is where Sphinx is found. This corrie is Scotland's snowiest. Snow usually stays here into the summer months. The Sphinx snow patch has completely melted only a few times in history. This happened in 1933, 1959, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. Scientists think it melted in the 1700s too. It seems to be melting more often now.
The Sphinx patch was first noticed by climbers in the 1840s. It was named after a nearby climbing route. Since the winter of 1983-1984, the amount of snow in this area has been getting smaller.
See also
In Spanish: Braeriach para niños
