Ben Nevis Conditions 11-11-12

Published November 11, 2012

 Had a great weekend winter mountaineering taking in Curved Ridge and the top of Crowberry Ridge on the Buachaille on Saturday and then Castle Ridge on the Ben today.

After a wet start on Saturday that put a fair bit of snow down up high the day cleared out well.  The upper part of Curved Ridge and above was under a few inches of fresh snow.  Today was a colder and clearer day, the Ben had a fair bit of fresh snow on it with the snow line at the bottom of NE Buttress.  We climbed Castle Ridge which required crampons from the base of the route and gave a good blast of winter!  As the snow is just cosmetic and unconsolidated the route was in relatively tricky condition.

Some of the harder routes on the No.3 Gully Buttress area I’d think were climbable and snowed up? This looks like it will all change tomorrow though as a rise in temperature is forecast with rain at all levels…

Thanks to the guys for another great couple of days out!

The Buachaille
Curved Ridge
 Traverse to the Crowberry Ridge
 The Crowberry Ridge
Final slopes and the Crowberry Tower behind which we took in on route.
 Clear skies on top of the Buachaille
Ben Nevis
 Snow down to the base of NE Buttress
 Castle Ridge crux chimney (III)

Liking the new Sherpa kit!