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Title: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Johncharl on 09:53:14, 02/01/19
Hi everyone. My first post. We are looking to climb Ben Nevis on the 11th Jan. Coming from north Wales  to do so. Has anyone been up it in the last week that can comment on the snow etc please. As always will be well equipped and winter experienced
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: vizzavona on 10:07:29, 02/01/19

Not much snow about anywhere in the North at the moment.  Conditions can alter very quickly. I would keep a look out on the site of the SAIS...Scottish avalanche information service who apart from having the latest on the snow pack but also have a blog with images.
My daughter ascended Gairich by the north ridge yesterday up from loch Cuaich, a few miles north of the Ben, very fine weather but you would have to look hard to find any snow.
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Johncharl on 10:09:54, 02/01/19
Thanks for the info. Will put the crampons and axe on the pack incase.
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: richardh1905 on 10:12:34, 02/01/19

Welcome to the forum, John.


Let us know how you get on on the Ben.
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Johncharl on 10:15:43, 02/01/19
@richardh1905 will definitely do that. Will post a report on here of how it goes.
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Owen on 15:04:55, 02/01/19
I'm just back from the Cairngorm's, so not quite Ben Nevis. Yesterday (Tuesday) we had a very light dusting of snow, just enough to cover the grass down to about 800m. It's freezing at valley level and visibility is very good, blue skies all around. The wind has been very high all new year around 60mph dropped to 45mph today.


I wouldn't discount carrying axe and crampons, even with little snow it can get very icy. The ground is very wet and it's now freezing.


Should add, the forecast is to stay cold and clear till Sunday when a front will arrive bringing sleet or snow. Beyond that who knows.
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Johncharl on 17:33:44, 02/01/19
@Owen....
Thanks for the info. Appreciate you posting. I've seen the weather front we are due to get from the east  >:(  should be fun ha!
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:44:43, 02/01/19
I wouldn't discount carrying axe and crampons, even with little snow it can get very icy.



I second that. Who knows what conditions may be encountered on the day.
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: tom83 on 17:50:09, 02/01/19
A student slipped off the ledge path on New Year Day and unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.


http://BBC News - Bristol student dies after 500ft Ben Nevis fall http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-46735220 (http://BBC News - Bristol student dies after 500ft Ben Nevis fall
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-46735220)
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Johncharl on 17:53:26, 02/01/19
Hi Tom83...
I read that online earlier today. Poor poor girl.
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 19:08:08, 02/01/19
That report mentions that the Ben was very icy. There was also another death of a student climber on December 16th.
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Johncharl on 19:34:25, 02/01/19
Didn't realise there were two so close together.  Same area as yesterday's?
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: vizzavona on 20:43:35, 02/01/19
The first incident occurred in Tower Gully.....Yesterdays was, according to what I have read, was on the Arete between CMD and the Ben.  I would hazard a guess that the rocks were iced up. If wearing crampons a trip may have contributed to what happened?
Title: Re: Ben nevis 11th Jan
Post by: Johncharl on 21:41:56, 02/01/19
Sad sad news. We are a close community and it's sad when someone perishes on the mountains #doingwhatwelove