Beinn a’Bhuird – Coire nan Clach
2nd March 2024
A visit to Coire nan Clach today on Beinn a’Bhuird. With last nights snowfall coming in on Northerly winds, I was interested to see if there was significant windslab build up in these corries. Which face East through to South-East in some places. Sure enough, there was some around the coire rims, and this was sensitive where it was overlying the old firm snowpack.
In most cases these accumulations were quite limited. However, further snowfall is anticipated tonight with a shift in wind direction. As such windslab development is likely on West though to North aspects above 900 metres.
Looking into the isolated Coire na Ciche. Slugain Buttress on the left if my memory is correct.
Evidence of cornice collapse/avalanche in Coire nan Clach. Windslab development was noted in these high coires close to the sharply angled coire rim and in steep multi aspect gullies. As usual it is very much winter on these isolated summits.
One of the burns that feeds the Allt Dearg which flows from Coire nan Clach. The adjacent burn line of Allt an Dubh Lochain is reputed to be a favourite spot for quartz diggers who would sift the gravel in the spring looking for “Cairngorms” (spoke quartz) and Topaz. There is lots of evidence of quartz digging in this area including on the western flank of Beinn รก Chaorainn and the Quartz Diggers Hut close to the Allt a Eas Mhoir on Ben Avon. Now frequently quiet, these corries were once a hive of activity. Today it was good to see a couple of parties off to do the round of Beinn a’Bhuird and some strategically cached bikes indicating people camping or bivouacking near by.
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