Ben Nevis is certainly the biggest and most famous winter climbing ground in Scotland, with something for everyone from the debutante to the most experienced and skilled. The almost alpine grandeur of the north face can, in a good winter, transform into a world where climbable snow-ice forms at almost every angle. It provides climbs suitable for any stage of the winter, from early season snowed-up rock climbs to late season ice wall specials. Also included here are the small number of winter climbing opportunities on the neighbouring Carn Mor Dearg.
Teaching climbing day with Dave and David. Lots of cars in the carpark/ road and loads of teams in the Ciste so we carried on into Observatory Gully. Shortroped up till one rope length away from Tower Scoop. It was in lean conditions but took screws well and had quite a steep second pitch. First ice climb for both of them so we climbed in parallel and I gave lots of input on movement, managing ice screws and rope management. We carried on up Tower Gully on one rope. Descended no.4 gully with a 60 lower off the cairn then shortroping down soft snow. David was quite tired at this point and Dave was good on his feet so I took Dave off the the rope at the base of Number 4 and shortroped David to the big rock above the Lochan. Long day but the guys were stoked.
