Magnetic Ice on Ben Nevis

A group that I am involved with have just cancelled three beds in the CIC Hut this weekend (Fri/Sat nights). Any takers, please contact me on 01397 700451.

Thanks to Mark Hockey for these three lovely pictures and his story about an early start to beat the bad weather coming through yesterday. He also has the right idea about the football:-))

Hi Alan - Looking 4ward to The Lads completing the treble after the next fortnights Euro Cup. More importantly thanks for your advice during your winter safety lectures1996-98 whilst I worked at the Clachaig and your agreement on the phone Tue eve that an early morning start would beat the poor weather moving in from the west - so we drove thru the night and walked up from Glen Nevis under the stars which dimmed ominously as I cut steps up to the plateau above No4 Gully. Sunlit morn/shepherds warn?! I'd intended to leave Anny sunbathing on the summit whilst I descended in the vicinity for a quick solo, though omnidirectional clouds and a leaded sky to the SW and N prompted map, compass and GPS to come out of their Yorkshire hibernation. It was windy and still sleeting down shortly after midday when I began the drive home after a pint with Ian (Thompson). Hope the guys in Jeans etc, met ascending below the lochan had a memorable afternoon/made the summit - I doubt they had much of a view above 2000ft, that's if they made it that far - The vibram boots and in-situ map case round the neck spoke volumes, the Chelsea scarf said it all!!




A group that I am involved with have just cancelled three beds in the CIC Hut this weekend (Fri/Sat nights). Any takers, please contact me on 01397 700451.

The ice conditions on Ben Nevis just now are spectacular. One party I met topping out from Astral Highway onto N.E. Buttress yesterday reported that......"It was as if the ice just attracted our picks like a magnet, sucked them in and refused to let go. We just wanted to keep climbing without stopping"... It was the same elsewhere on Two-Step Corner with ..."truly awesome"...conditions. Orion Face Direct, Astral Highway, Point Five Gully, Zero Gully, Slav Route, Observatory Buttress climbs. All look in good nick.