Scotland 2006.

In July 2006 a small group of us headed up to scotland for a few days climbing on and around Ben Nevis. The group consisted of Paul, Matt and myself with the aim to camp in Fort William and hike to the north face of Ben Nevis each day. After driving up there for nearly ten hours we made our way to the campsite and sent up tents. After sorting everything out and having a little sleep we headed up the tourist path that leads up Ben Nevis and round the side to the North side.

Looking at Ben Nevis from the North Face Car Park. Tower ridge and Douglas Boulder viable left of centre
Our Fisrt day was to be a warm up and practice so we choose Castle ridge which follows the right hand side arete if looking from the CIC hut. After the inital scrambing start to the route up easy slabs the route becomes more vertical and most tend to use ropes at some point. After one or two short rope lenghts the ground eased up allowing us to scramble to the top. A mistake was made which lead us up an exstemely loose and rock fall prone gully to the left of the route which provide an interesting finish.

Looking down Castle Ridge from the top.

After descending down a never ending scree slope we made our way back out via the tourist path and down to the pub at the bottom. Next Day we were out again this time on walking in from the other side via the north face car park. Our Objective this day was Tower ridge. Graded at VDiff is was well with in our grade. We decided to tackle the douglas Boulder start and through trial an error made it to the top only to find the weather close in and the heavens open up leaving us no choose but to abseil off the route and down climb via the right hand side gully back to the CIC hut and out along the path to our tents in the valley below.

Matt and Paul at the top of the Douglas Boulder just before our forced retreat.

Day three saw us hit a few trad climbs around the base of Ben Nevis completing climbs up to VS including multi pitch routes. We had intended to stay the night again but decided to make the long car journey back instead hoping traffic was not going to be bad. All in all it gave all of us a good insight into long mountain routes and more trips are planned for 2007.

Sam outside the CIC hut with Tower ridge in the background

View from the top of the douglas boulder lokking back along to the North Face Car park