A Day On The Ben

Eastern Traverse on Tower Ridge

That was it - Eastern Traverse in May

Stunning scenery at the top

Looking down Glover's Chimney from Tower Gap - can you spot the climbing team low on the route?

Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil in the distance

The North face was very quiet. I had the route to myself and then summiting to find a croud at the top

The initial ice pitch on North Gully

Number 3 Gully

The weather looked like it was going to be amazing today, light winds, sunny, freezing levels below the summits, so I obviously had to go on the Ben to do as much as possibe. So somehow I had a late start and didn't get out of the car in the North Face Car Park until 10am ! But conditions were great. As I walked in I saw a team starting on the Comb, and Glovers Chimney. Alan Kimber and Spike were eyeing up Smiths Route, but settled for Point 5, which looked awesome.
I liked the look of Tower Ridge, so made a start. I had the whole ridge to myself, and it was in fine form. There was a layer of fresh snow from yesterday, but still the neve underneath was awesome. I enjoyed every minute, but bizarrely found myself thinking about paddling at one point! I got to the summit at 2pm, so I had time to do North Gully and Number 3 Gully, because, why not !! On my third time down Number 4 I wondered if I had the energy to do another. No ! Back to the car by 6pm. Awesome.