Change in Plans

Head out yesterday with Will to climbing Observatory Ridge (Plan A). Walking up to the CIC Hut there was a lot of new snow about. So not fancying a swim change to Gutless (Plan B). Got up the first pitch with so ok ice in bit and with some crap in others. Trying to get onto the second pitch was looking like it could be ok but some fond to be crap. That meant an abseil off and onto Plan C South-West Ridge with Tower Ridge. There was lots of teams on South-West Ridge so lot of chatting about what people have been getting done. Then onto Tower Ridge that have a nice path up it. There was some lager cornices where people and us had walked over. Had a great day even go the sun out for bits of the day.

First pitch of Gutless 

Lot of steps over some cornices 

The sun come out 

Looking down at the CIC Hut

Will heading off

Ben Nevis Girdle Traverse

Last Tuesday Ewan and I tried to do the Girdle Traverse on Ben Nevis. We had a plan of bivving out the night before at the CIC hut then an early start the next day. On the walk up the track on Monday evening things where feeling great. Tops where off as it was still hot from the day. After a sweaty walk we made it to the CIC hut and the Ben was looking good. As soon as we stopped the midges came out, it was going to be a good nights sleep. We had both gone for a different approach on what to sleep in. Ewan was going for just a sleeping bag and mat as the weather was looking good over night and I had gone for just a bivvy bag, sleeping bag liner and mat. Safe to say not the best night sleep you could hope for before a long day of climbing. 

Loving the walking in the sun

Sunset over CIC track

Bed for the night

Looking forward to sleep

Waking up to see that it was 3.55am was the greatest feeling as the morning coffee could be had. After a good helping of porridge for breakfast and coffee time to make the walk in. We had a bit of a way to go as we started pretty much on CMD. So a nice warm up for the day. Getting up to the start or should I say where we think it started form. The guide book description was not the best. We started climbing at 6.15am so the adventure had begun and it was looking like it was going to be a long day. Moving across the face we knew that we wanted to be on the second tiers of North East Buttress to put us on the right level to cross Orion Face and get over Point 5. Pretty much guessing my way on the lead. Getting to North East Buttress we could see right over to The Gap and where we could have a food stop but on for now. The ground we were on was lose and slimy in bits so having to stay switched on all the time. This was going to be the theme for the day. It had taken us a lot longer to cover the ground fast. Although this was meant to be the crux of the route, getting to Point 5 and crossing it.

Where do you think we are head? © Ewan McKay

The adventure starts

Still happy

Looking over to Tower Ridge from the top of Orion Face

Move lovely ground to cross © Ewan McKay

Crossing Point 5

Crossing Point 5 was not as bad as we thought it was going to be. Although getting there we realised that we were meant to be on a lower shelf and the only way to get there quickly was to do two abseils down. This was to be off a nice old peg and nut. Sadly as I was the heaviest I got to test them first. Getting down the abseil then to find a nice size block (Ewan's face says it all in the photo below) for the next abseil off Ewan got to test this one first.

Old peg and nut abseil © Ewan McKay 

Nice block abseil or the face of fear

Getting down to the top of Tower Scoop we had to cross a nice snow slope as Ewan was in boots he got the job of making me steps to walk in. He used a nut key to plunge into the snow for support (more in the mind than being actually useful). Although I did follow suit. Getting over the snow a quick climbing up to Tower Gap for a post of food. By time we got there it had gone 11am so not doing to bad on time as we not too sure where we were going. Looking at the next half was going to be a long slog. Next came an abseil down Glovers Chimney which turned out to be very fruitful finding £20. Ewan now leading the way around to Number 2 Gully. So far in the day we had sunshine sadly it was not to last. Mid way down the face the cloud came in and visibility was not good. To make this even better the ground we where on was the worst of the day being wet, slimy, lose and just all about bad. Somehow we picked a way down to the gully. Getting to the gully the cloud was still down and we decided to bug out as Ewan liked to put it. As we where not too sure on where the route goes for the second half. 

Going down Glovers Chimney © Ewan McKay 

Glover's Chimney

Onward to Number 2 Gully

Cloud come down 

Just about see me © Ewan McKay

Nice wet rock

Where are we going now? © Ewan McKay

Walking down Number 2 it started to rain so in a odd way made me happy that we called it. Although it was short lived as when getting to the CIC hut the cloud and rain had stopped. It was all most looked like it could be lifting. Maybe we should have waited it out and not just gone. But I guess its what you think is right at the time. This does mean we will be going back again to get it done.

On the way filmed bit of climbing and and thoughts of what the climb was like.

Ben Nevis Girdle Traverse from Mark Chambers on Vimeo.

Summer Solstice Adventure

So its just been the summer solstice last night and an adventure had to be had. With it being light for so long. Started of the fun with an afternoon ride about Nevis Range with Rach. She showed me down some new bits of trail that she been show by Mack Clark. Great little bits hidden trail. Need to get back and have a play on again. Pretty stoked for Rach riding her first black feature and looking smooth bring on the jumps next.

The long ride up

Rach ride her first black feature

Hidden trails

After a great ride on to meet up with Ewan, Matt and Fiona. Too head up Tower Ridge for a late evening assent. We had the bikes with us to make the way back down a lot faster. Thow this did mean ridding/pushing up the distally track. So getting a bit a sweat of made sort work of it.

Given and just pushing now.

Just the walk to the Ridge 

After the walk in time to get on the route. We where making go time along the ridge and was looking like we might to missing out to the rain forecasted. But that was sort life with the rain started as we got to Little Tower and had drizzling for more of the rast of the night.

Starting the climb

Fiona going light and fast

Ewam leading the way

Ewan going over the gap

Fiona doing the gap

What they think of the weather

Rach going over the gap

Matt just about making it over

At made it to the top

Getting to the top had a great view of the low cloud. The time for the long walk back of the tourist path then on to the path rond the halfway lochan. On the way down we could see a snake of lights making its way up the path for the Youth Hostel to find a mass sponsored walk was heading. After a wet walk back to the bike. More so for Fiona as she was in approach shoes. Had the fun of biking back down the track. A great summer solstice adventure now what to do for the next one

Sponsored walker heading up the Ben

Ewan happy to be alive

Almost lost Fiona on the way down