There's an excellent photo on page 337 of the new SMC Cairngorms guide - a thin looking Raeburns. There is also a tantalising suggestion that Raeburns is excellent early season. So EC and I went and looked on 21st December 2007. The blogs so far posted before Christmas on SAIS Site didn't look promising. However, our best expectations were realised. The route was in very good nick, giving 4 excellent pitches on concrete ice. There was plenty of bare rock around. But looking down showed fantastic snow cover, attesting to the fact that you can judge winter conditions best when looking down. You also have got to get there to judge the conditions. Another blogger has suggested lots doing Black Spout, but much more in condition than BS - another party also did Raeburns - and on closer inspection several other routes were complete including DG Gully - even the icicle finish. Parallel A almost complete too.
bgreid/02/01/08
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