Ice Climbing on the North Face of Ben Nevis, Scotland
I've heading home from another winter climbing adventure with Jim Gayler, on Ben Nevis in Scotland. Conditions looked perfect for a big day on the mighty Ben : )
An easy start. Left the north face car park at 7:30am, passed the CIC Hut at 9am, and were geared up and waiting just below the first belay at 10am on a stunningly, clear day, with no teams following us.
Looking back towards the CIC hut, we watched a team making their way up Tower Ridge (above), and across from us on two more teams on Hadrian's Wall (below).
Jim led the first pitch of Point Five Gully, leaving our stance a little before 11am.
Using the gradual run in to get the circulation going, before the steeper section : )
(Photo's by Jim Gayler)
I then led the second pitch with the narrow gully, and superb ice : )
Jim led the third pitch, before letting me lead the remaining stretch to the summit!
(Photo by Jim Gayler)
Topping out at 1345m in peachy perfect conditions at 3pm, mid-afternoon...
A few other folk on nearby routes also reaching the summit around the same time, making some great photo's, and then a fly by from the Coastguard Helicopter an absolute bonus : )
We decided to continue the magnificent mountain day with CMD Arete and two more summits on the way back down.
Jim Gayler on Carn Mor Dearg (CMD) Arete
(Photo by Jim Gayler)
Walking back into the car park at 7pm as dusk fell, still hardly believing our luck with the conditions, and everything aligning for us to climb the iconic Point Five Gully : )
Here's to luck and many more rewarding winter adventures, in 2019!
K
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