FATMAP by Strava

Raeburn's Gully

Narrow, fairly steep and flanked by ice falls - Raeburn’s Gully is Easy Gully’s nasty cousin!

Ski Touring Severe

Distance
14 km
Ascent
877 m
Descent
877 m
Duration
5-6 hrs
Low Point
272 m
High Point
1.1 km
Gradient
53˚
Raeburn's Gully Map

Park at Aberarder and attach your skis & boots to your pack to begin the ascent into the corrie floor through the summer path which leads directly from the road and follows the Allt Coire Ardair up the valley where you will be treated to some fantastic views of Raeburn’s Gully, Easy Gully and the huge cliffs that surround it.

Description

Break off the summer path and head up towards Lochan a’ Choire, attaching your skis whenever the snow level allows. You’ll then begin to climb up towards Raeburn’s Gully.

Be aware that this gully is flanked by ice falls above that drop down into Raeburn’s Gully and so you are always under threat of avalanches, ice collapse from the cliffs above you. Raeburn’s Gully may also be littered with debris from these ice falls and can be quite icy if you do not find it during deep snow depths.

The top section is fairly similar to Easy Gully, with a wide open top section, before it narrows to form the tight gully. It’s usually easiest to drop in on the skier’s right hand side, down into a short face before you need to cut back into the gully proper to avoid going over the cliffs below.

Raeburn’s Gully is technically harder than Easy Gully, with a pretty steep and narrow passage to ski with a generally much more ‘enclosed’ and steep feeling for the whole couloir, so make sure your jump turns in tight spaces are hot for this one.

Difficulty

Severe

Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between March and May

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area