UKC

Just looking for any info/advice regarding the current conditions on the Ben.
I'm in the area in 2 weeks with 3 friends (we are all experienced climbers), we have often considered tackling tower ridge but always decided against it as out winter climbing experience is quite limited. Are we being over cautious? What is the current snow coverage like on the Ben?

Cheers.

In reply to AndyRogers:

Hiya

No. You are not being overly cautious. Sensible I would say. Loads of snow on Ben and top half of Tower Ridge is as wintery as ever. Even the final exit gully is quite steep, so you would need to be comfortable front pointing up stuff in exposed situations without protection. Upper ledge route is also great snow crest and very alpiney. It's all very very nice but get some practice on the lesser stuff first. CMD has just patches of snow around the scrambly bits (will be none in 2 weeks I imagine). Castle Ridge is currently completely clear of snow once on the ridge. 2 weeks is a long time, but Tower Ridge prob won't be clear in that time despite the warmer wetter wx. And Tower Ridge in summer is a blast, so maybe wait for that.

Have fun!!

In reply to BruceM:

thanks for the reply!

advice will be heeded!!

In reply to AndyRogers:

Hi Andy,

I went up Tower Ridge today and was glad to have an ice axe and crampons. There are several small sections of snow on the ridge and the last steep bit needs crampons really.

http://abacusmountainguides.blogspot.co.uk/

Mike

In reply to AndyRogers:

looked pretty plastered with fresh snow today, and more to come...

In reply to AndyRogers:

Axes and crampons needed from the DB by the looks of things. I went up Ledge Route today and everything was covered in wet heavy snow. Ice still holding in high up too so if your heading up go with a 'winter' day in mind.

http://guysteven.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/ben-nevisstill-winter.html

In reply to AndyRogers:

Very wintery at the moment. Brilliant condition with soft snow.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.699673916825867.1073741889.245638...

In reply to highclimbingguy:

Thanks for posting,am now looking at TR later this week

In reply to AndyRogers:
Still very wintery and will continue to be so for at least this week and probably a couple of weeks.
A good chance that an Alpine style ascent could be done on mid summers day!
Some pictures from the weekend here:
http://www.mountainmotion.co.uk/blog/winter-mountaineering-ben-nevis-june/

In reply to Removed UserRichard Bentley:

Wow!

In reply to AndyRogers:

Im hoping to be able to do a winter route then bomb it accross to glencoe for uplifted skiing on mid summers day!