Paul James, MIC - Mountain-Expertise.co.uk - Winter and Rock Climbing Conditions

Wednesday 7 March 2012

07-03-12, Ben Nevis - Winter Climbing

Ben Nevis North Face
Off to the Ben on Monday. Ice conditions up high 1100m and above great. There was a lot of soft slab about at the top of Tower Gully. We had a relatively late start for the Ben, with the road from Loch Carron only opening at 7am due to the land slide. Up Tower Gully, with the rest of the world, numerous teams on Good Friday Climb, Gardyloo Gully, Smiths, Tower Scoop and Tower Ridge. We climbed Tower Scoop (III), 3 good ice pitches for Andy and Stewart to get their ice fix for the week! Tuesday less good weather, windy, cloudy then heavy rain late afternoon. We climbed the East Ridge of North Buttress on Stob Ban (II/III) a great mountaineering route, which can be climbed in any condition. That day we did it with just one axe and no crampons. Today some rock climbing at a crag near Applecross very gneiss rock, and a day of four seasons, snow showers, sunshine and occasional wind. There is a good dusting of snow in the NW, the freezing level was probably 600m.

Busy Tower Gully area.

Andy enjoying the ice.
Some Hero's having it on a new route!? Left of Kellets. They abbed off from there.

Dusk

Stob Ban, Mamores, East Ridge of North Buttress on right sky line.

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