Area: Ben Nevis, Scotland
Maps used: OS Sheet 41
Weather: Very cold, sunny and bright all the time, 1.5ft+ of snow
Route Description: Started early on from the north face car park at NN145765. The forest track from the car park is steep and tough, but after about half an hour you are out of the woods and at the upper car park where crossing the fence gets you to the start of the CIC hut track (NN149750). Walked all the way up to the CIC hut. From here there are numerous routes up Ben Nevis - the north face is like a climbing playground. It was my first time here and I wanted to get to the top, so went with the easy route up Core Leis. So from the CIC hut continued southeast towards the col more or less at NN175714. The last section up the coire probably involves some grade I climbing - we went for a tiny gully which was covered in rock-hard ice, so in fairness probably some grade II. From the col, turned right towards the summit of Ben Nevis. This was easy going up as the weather was bright and one could see everything, but this can be dangerous terrain in whiteout conditions - watch out for the cliffs to the north. Got to the summit and then descended towards the famous Red Burn track, the easiest way out of Ben Nevis (in good visibility - look for the classic bearings in case of poor visibility). Descended clockwise along the mountain until joining the CIC hut track once more, then back to the car park.
Duration: 8 hours
Distance: 15km
Total Ascent: 1,294m
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