Ledge Route In The Sun

Moving well up Ledge Route

Today I was working for the WHC and Ben and I took the second year group up Ledge route to look at their decision making, judgement and leadership skills on steep ground. It was one of those days on Ben Nevis that dreams are made of - the weather was perfect and the views were sensational.

A climber in Tower Gap, crossing to the other side

I think it was Mike Pescod that we saw quickly jumping across the Tower Gap high on Tower Ridge.

The climbers has crossed Tower Gap and are moving up towards the top of Tower Ridge

A minute or so later, Mike was standing at the top with his client, about to have their lunch with a perfect view of the highlands.

The new cairn at the top of Number 4 Gully

We met the builder of the new Cairn at the top of Number 4 Gully. He told us the secrets of how he built the cairn, especially how he got that enormous rock onto the top - by himself!!!

The snowy top of the Ben today

There is a little snow on the summit of the Ben at the moment. Tower Ridge was clear of snow from what I could see. It was a brilliant day. It was the first day on the North Face of the Ben for most of the group, and the first time on the top for at least one of the group - a winning day for all of us.

A Day On Ben Nevis

Robinwood Staff on Ledge route today

The Robinwood Activity Centres Staff team had a great day on Ben Nevis today. They split up and did the CMD Arete, Tower Ridge with Tony Halliwell and Ledge Route with me. The weather was great, it was cloudy on the Ben, but the UV got through the cloud to give us a good glow (burn) by the end of the day.

As usual on Ben Nevis the scenery was stunning, and the rock perfect (nearly). I found it great to be out with a croud of like minded outdoor instructors.

The team enjoyed some nav from the top of the route, up to the summit of Ben Nevis. Unfortunately when we got to the summit, visibility was a little too poor to see the croud of people making their way across the Tower Gap below, so we left them to it and met up with them later.

The mist lifted from the summit only for a few fleeting seconds when we were there.

We had a great day, and there was an enormous number of tourists at the summit doing the same. We took the track down happy after another day on the Ben.

Ledge Route In The Mist

Day 1 of a 3 day exped

Working for Outward Bound on a Serious Adventure Course, led by Sean, the group headed off on a 3 day expedition. The plan was to climb Ben Nevis via Ledge Route on day 1, complete the CMD (Carn Mor Dearg) arete on day 2, walk off the Ben and drive back to Outward Bound on day 3 - fantastic, and the age range of the group is only 13-15 !! The 3 day exped rucsac was heavy at the beginning, but the group did well. They were finally happy to be putting up camp and lightening their load, planning to complete Ledge Route, with a much smaller rucsac!

Approaching the lunch spot on Ledge Route, before the mist clears

The day was misty and initially wet, so everybody had to wear waterproofs from the start, and nothing was visible to show them where they were.

Careful scrambling high on Ledge Route

At last, we've got a view - awesome

Eventually the weather did change, and I could take my waterproof jacket off, and eveybody got to see their tents way, way below.

The weather improved as we get higher

Sean looking after his group

After a successful ascent of Ledge Route, Sean leads the group off towards the summit

After a brilliant climb, in stunning and exciting situations, the happy group made their way up to the Summit for an awesome location for their evening meal. This definitely is serious adventure for ages 13-15, that they won't forget.

Ledge Route Again

There was little, to no wind on the north face today

Today I was again on Ledge Route on Ben Nevis for Outward Bound, but this time with the MacDonald Clan on their Classic Course. The weather was hot - summer has ahold of Scotland at last. There were a few clouds, but I put more suncream on than any other day this year so far - fantastic.

On the way down on the Ben Pony/Tourist/Mountain path, I thought I had seen everything, until I saw a woman topless walking on the path! It was hot and sticky weather, but this isn't British!

I am re-branding to Hunter Mountaineeering (www.huntermountaineering.co.uk), so watch this space for my new website in the Autumn. However you can make enquiries now via email on max@maxhunter.co.uk

Classic Adventure - Ledge Route

Ben Nevis

Today I met Alan's Classic Adventure Outward Bound Clan. They were to do Ledge Route to the summit, and back to OB for their evening meal. Today was a totally different day to yesterday, and the high pressure across the UK is in control. There was no wind, no rain, but lots of sunglasses and suncream - about time :)

There were large numbers on the CMD arete, and a couple of climbers finishing Tower Ridge early in the day - just after midday. We lapped up the hot weather enjoying all the scrambly bits and pieces on Ledge Route to the top, where I left the group, as they continued to the summit in the second half of the afternoon.

I managed to get back to my TV in time to watch Andy Murray's third set - WINNER !

The 'Jenga Blocks'

I'm playing with the panorama function on my iphone. This photo taken from the 'Luncheon Rock', at the start of the ridge, where the fun scrambling starts.

Alan managing one of his students down a scramble

Can you make out all the summit spectators on the cliffs watching the helicoptors antics

One of Alan's students tackling the 'traditional' chimney leading to the final flat lunch spot on the Ridge of Ledge Route

I am re-branding to Hunter Mountaineeering (www.huntermountaineering.co.uk), so watch this space for my new website in the Autumn. However you can make enquiries now via email on max@maxhunter.co.uk

Ultimate Adventure - Ledge Route

Martyn's Ultimate Adventure Clan from Outward Bound

On Saturday I caught up with Martyn's Ultimate Adventure Group from Outward Bound. They have already been on their adventures for about a week (always away from the centre, but being re-supplied at regular intervals). Today was their time for doing Ledge Route, visiting the summit and doing a summit litter sweep. The Clan is a crack team of 8 fit, hardened, fun loving young people who would have been up for Tower Ridge if the weather was better, but the wind was just too strong, so we did the Number 5 Gully start to Ledge Route instead. The weather turned in early afternoon, and there was soon drizzling rain and thick cloud. However the spirits in the clan were still high. After this - they're onto their next adventure.

A morning of great visibility on Ben Nevis - but the wind was gusting

Cloud developing from the south

Martyn showing the way

Martyn setting up for the next stage. Number 5 gully still has a lot of snow, and the route through included a snow cave.

Chris Webster's Classic Adventure Clan putting on their helemts and harnesses ready for their Ledge Route. They're standing ontop of Moonlight Buttress.

Chris's Clan scrambling on Ledge Route

Martyn walking into the changed weather

The Ultimate Adventure Clan loving the adventure. If the weather was like Sunday, they would have been led by multiple instructors up Tower Ridge.

I am re-branding to Hunter Mountaineeering (www.huntermountaineering.co.uk), so watch this space for my new website in the Autumn. However you can make enquiries now via email on max@maxhunter.co.uk

Castle Ridge

Matt Lander about to run up Castle Ridge with his Classic Adventure Outward Bound group

On Wednesday I was working for Outward Bound. Matt has a Classic Adventure Course group and he wanted to challenge them with the North Face of the Ben - so we headed off to Castle Ridge. Matt split the group between himself, Dave Buckett and myself. The weather forecast looked like we could be lucky and possibly avoid all the rain, thunder and lightening.

Dave Buckett

We did manage to enjoy the entire climb on perfect dry rock - wearing t-shirts and suncream - a fantastic climb.

Matt bringing his group up Castle Ridge

We had about 4 drops of rain on the way up, and the heavens nearly opened on us on the way down, but we were lucky with only a light shower. We did however see the thunder storms all about us. There was one particular storm over Loch Lochy which covered Lena and her group up a munro in the storm.

Storm clouds brewing - bringing thunder and lightening. One unfortunate group was at the top of a munro inside the storm - leading to a well managed safe outcome

Ledge Route

Rob high on Ledge Route ***, on Carn Dearg Buttress

Today I ws working for Abacus Mountaineering with Rob on Ledge Route. He said it was a life time ambition to do the route. It was his last hard scramble to do, and the last big tick on his list. He's already done all the peaks in the Lakes and over half of the Munros. We had a great day for it - not too hot, no rain, and I only saw a few midges (and they were in Fort William!). Rob's mountaineering hobby contrasts with his other passion, which is chess - he's been the British Chess Champion twice.

Rob clearly loving the climb, even though the views stayed obscured

The hardest part of my day was cutting all those steps in the snow at the beginning of Number 5 gully (I did wish we had crampons on!). The snow was too hard to kick steps into - even with my old evos. The best bit of my day was seeing how happy Rob was to have done Ledge Route.

2 climbers who must have started fairly early on Torro

I got a little sidetracked watching the team on Torro.