Aladdin's Couloir, Coire an t-Sneachda, 4th January 2009

Mark and myself were in Coire an t-Sneachda today to do the grade I, Aladdin's Couloir. See map. Today the weather was milder than our previous two visits to Coire an t-Sneachda , however with low cloud we weren't treated to the same views. The forecast said occaisional light snow flurries, which turned out to be non stop! Although never too heavy to affect visibilty (the fog did that), snow was starting to accumulate on the route, but there were some small areas of windslab starting to form. The snow is set to continue overnight which will increase the avalanche risk.

Just above the start of Aladdin's Couloir, looking up to the corner and the small section of ice; about 2 metres which was easily negotiated.

Mark heading up the Couloir towards the area where Aladdin's Mirror joins the route. Looking down a deserted Aladdin's Couloir. We only saw one other party going up, although there were other teams on other routes that we couldn't identify from below. Once we reached the top (no cornice), we headed west to descend the Goat Track, and then back to the Ski Centre.

Coire an t-Sneachda in better weather! Aladdin's Couloir is the dog leg gully rising left of centre.

Snow Bunting enjoying a ham sandwhich near the stretcher box.

Snowman on Loch Morlich.

We used the Cairngorm map from the Harvey, Superwalker series, and the Cicerone guide to winter climbs in the Cairngorms, - both available from Amazon.