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.
Climbed with Mark Stevenson. Conditions finally getting a little bit colder, though could have been better. Went up to have a look at Indicator Wall, unfortunately quite thin cover. Probably climbable but belays would have been interesting to say the least. Opted for Good Friday Climb as plan B. Soloed up the initial gully, peg belay on the left (2 pegs, back up with nut) higher peg above to protect the belay. I led the main pitch as Mark had done it previously. Couple of ice screws on the step were more psychological protection. Topped out to a very misty Ben summit. Raced over to Number 3 Gully, descended that and traversed into South Gully where I climbed the main pitch from an in situ Hex and nut belay (now dismantled) up to just before the final cornice peg and nut in situ belay on the right that we tidied up with some nice new tat and equalized properly. Descended via Number 4 Gully.
