Tower Ridge

Ledge Route

Date: 20/02/2011
Area: Ben Nevis, Scotland
Maps Used: OS Sheet 41
Weather: Cloudy, 1ft+ of snow

The Ledge Route is probably the best grade II climb on the north face of Ben Nevis. It is accessible and yet interesting. Luckily this time we managed to park at the upper car park, saving us the steep half-hour climb from the north face car park. From the upper car park, followed the track up to the CIC hut. From there, climbed up to the bottom of Number Five Gully. Eventually veered right via a ramp that leads out of the mountain onto an almost horizontal ledge. This is usually where the first belay is protected. From here climbed leftwards up a gully until a snow platform is reached, where the second belay is usually secured. The climb from here onwards is easier, over the buttress and onto the ridge that leads to Carn Dearg (1,221m). From here we thought of continuing to the top of the Ben, but it was bizarrely windy up there - and visibility quickly became poor. So we took our compass bearing towards the Red Burn and descended the easy route back towards the car park.

Duration: 6 hours
Distance: 11km
Total Ascent: 971m

Ben Nevis

Date: 20/02/2010
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