Ben Nevis 6th March

Today me and Paul Smith were back up the Ben.
Snow and bad weather are needed to bring the mixed climbing back into condition but with Spring like conditions, the snow and ice routes are starting to become very good.

 We couldnt see much in the cloud after our slog up Observatory Gully, so we opted for Indicator Wall V,4*** which was in great condition.

Paul unimpressed with the walk in!

Indicator and Gardyloo Buttress

 After decending Tower Gully we returned to the foot of Indicator Wall and the start of Pychedelic Wall VI,5***
Paul made short work of the first pitch on good ice.  Second slab pitch was very thin but climbable. Think I managed to get a couple of screws in the 3"- 4" ice slab. Good belay with rock gear at the top of this pitch.

Paul on the first pitch

Me on Second

Paul seconding the 2nd pitch

Paul then took over for the final pitch. Another excellent pitch, very much in contrast to the 2nd one with a short chimney and steep corner exit.

Happy on the 3rd pitch

This was another one of those stonking good routes the Ben can offer at this time of year.

Forecast looks good to build on conditions this coming week. So it'll be another 10hrs of driving next weekend hopefully.