Ben Nevis from Carn Mor Dearg, Feb 2010

Ben Nevis in winter is a fabulous time to ascend the UK's highest mountain. Gone are the crowds of summer, gone too is the rocky path and instead is a white wonderland of Alpine proportions. Just like our summer guided walks we have two routes on offer THE MOUNTAIN PATH or THE CARN MOR DEARG ARETE ROUTE. For an ascent of either needs a fair bit of stamina and some prior summer hill walking experience. Conditions on the mountain change day by day. Soft deep snow to hard icy conditions. Calm days and crystal blue skies to low cloud, snowing and windy. But whatever the weather it is still special and invigorating.

The Mountain Path route is relatively easy angled but you will still need ice axe, crampons and winter boots which can be hired locally if you don't already have them. We run through basic techniques 'en-route' as we head up the mountain.

For the CMD arete route we take two days. The first day is a winter skills day-learning to use ice axe and crampons. You will need ice axe and crampons plus winter boots which can all be hired locally if you don't already own them.

The North Face of The Ben. Jan 2011

From the Carn Mor Dearg arete route there are fabulous views looking across to The North Face.

Ben Nevis from Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. Feb 2010

At Lochan Meall an t-Suihe. Almost at the half way mark. The 'zigzags' on the upper half of the mountain are usually buried in snow through out the winter months.

CMD arete, Feb 2010

Looking back toward Carn Mor Dear summit from half way across the arete. Aonach Mor in the background.

CMD Arete. Dec 2010

Half way along the CMD arete. In excellent early winter conditions.

On the summit plateau. Dec 2009

Nearing the summit across the plateau area. This section requires sound navigation skills, the cairns seen on the picture can either be buried in snow or the visibility can be so poor that it's hard to see from one to the other.

The Ciste Corrie on the North Face. Jan 2011

One of the main access corries into the climbs on the north face, Ciste Corrie. Spectacular and close up views of the big climbs on the buttresses and gullies. 

On the summit. Dec 2010

On the summit in with a setting sun. Early in the season there is 8 hours of daylight so we usually start at daybreak. Even when the light's fading it's quite special watching the sun set on the horizon, or sometimes it's still snowing and you don't see Glen Nevis till low down!

The plateau area and north face from the top of No.5 Gully showing the huge cornices that form every winter and into spring.

On the arete of Carn Mor Dearg in superb winter weather and snow conditions.