A J Thorley Mountaineering: Ben Nevis Via The Carn Mor Dearg Arete. 13th March 2013

Early morning view over Fort William, Caol & Corpach. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The bright early morning sun woke me, and at 1st I must admit after yesterdays exploits I could have quite happily turned over and gone back to bed. I was shattered and aching all over. But eventually the warming of the tent forced me to get up out of my sleeping bag. Fumbling around I dressed myself then unzipped the tent inner so that I could put the kettle on and make the hot brews.

The early morning view of Carn Mor Dearg & Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

With hot brews to hand I started to make sausage butties for breakfast. We were both hungry and needed a good breakfast before even contemplating what today's adventure was going to be. We discussed many options including another a winter climb, maybe some cragging then it hit me. With such a good forecast I suggested that we do Ben Nevis via The Carn Mor Dearg Arete. This did not go down too well at 1st but Vicks soon came round to the idea.

Three young stags with the North Face of Ben Nevis in the background. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Once we had both finished breakfast and eaten the remainder of the hot cross buns as well for good measure I made us another hot brew before we then dismantled the tent and packed it away into the car. Double checking that we had left nothing behind we jumped into the car and traveled the short distance up the road to Torlundy (NN143771) where we turned off to park at The North Face car park (NN145764).

The North Face of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

To my surprise there were very few cars parked, it is normally heaving when conditions and the weather are forecast to be good. We readied ourselves when another car pulled in, it was the conservation team that are carrying out repairs on the foot path used to gain the North Face of Ben Nevis. After chatting with them for a little while we moved on and wished them luck with their project.

North-East Buttress, Observatory Ridge & Tower Ridge, North Face of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The foot path is well sign posted, at 1st it rises steeply in a south easterly direction before swinging around into a south westerly direction where it levels for a short distance and then again rises steeply in a south easterly direction to the upper car park and to the stile where the open hill side can be gained (NN148750). Here we rested for a little while before continuing, it was glorious day so we were in no rush. The sun beating down made it feel almost summer like.

Almost stood on this chap, a Ptarmigan hiding in the rocks. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Once we had rested we continued in a south easterly direction until a faint foot path forks off to the left of the main foot path (NN152744) it is not marked on the map or at least not my edition of the map. Here we stopped again and changed into our winter boots before continuing up the open hillside in an almost easterly direction.

The Carn Mor Dearg Arete leading up to Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

It is hard going so we set a nice steady pace and taking our time made good progress. We stopped numerous times to take in the views and to refill the water bottles before we gained too much height and all water would be frozen. At one point I was quietly walking along in my own little world when I almost stood on a ptarmigan and startled myself, the little chap must have thought he was invisible.

The Carn Mor Dearg Arete 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Eventually we gained the saddle (NN172732) in between Carn Beag Dearg (NN171736) and Carn Dearg Meadhonach (NN176727). Here we rested again and now we could take in the views in all directions. The North Face of Ben Nevis looked inspiring still with its thick winter coat. It was cold even though the sun was shining so we donned the wind proofs and crampons before continuing.

The Carn Mor Dearg Arete as it sweeps up to the summit of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Even though we had only be standing a short time we had both chilled to the bone and it took a little while to get going again. The short walk from where we were to the summit of Carn Mor Dearg (NN178722) seemed to take an age as well as sapping all of our energy. It was a relief to finally arrive at the summit and see the splendor of the Carn Mor Dearg Arete sweeping around to Ben Nevis. It looked magical especially when the sun lit it up.

Looking along The Carn Mor Dearg Arete to Carn Mor Dearg 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

At 1st the arete drops in a southerly direction before sweeping around to the west, eventually sweeping around to the north as it joins with the shoulder of Ben Nevis. I could see before we dropped down onto the arete that it was banked out with very little rock exposed, I also noticed the wind slab that had built up on the leeward side of the arete (east & northern side). Care would have to taken as there was enough wind slab sitting on concrete like neve to cause a fall if care was not taken.

Beinn A' Bheithir from the summit of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

We set off around the arete kicking into the wind slab until we were standing on the harder snow below, progress was slow but it was better to be safe than sorry. Besides the views of the surrounding mountains were stunning and we were in no rush. It felt great to be standing on this knife edge surrounded by such spectacular scenery. It reminded of the all the books that I have read and the photographs that inspired me to take to the mountains in the 1st place.

A raven on the summit of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Eventually we made it around the arete to the cairn (NN169711) that marks a safe descent in to the corrie below when the weather is fowl. There used to be a line of abseil posts but they have now been removed. Here we rested before taking on the final ascent to the summit of Ben Nevis itself.

The emergency shelter on Ben Nevis summit plastered in snow & ice. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Once rested and refueled we started the final ascent up to the summit of Ben Nevis and like the ascent to Carn Mor Dearg it seemed to sap every ounce of energy. Progress seemed torturous at times and it was hard to maintain a steady pace. The slope we were ascending just seemed to get steeper and steeper with out respite. Until eventually it eased and the vast expanse of the summit plateau was laid out before us.

Looking across the cliffs of the North Face of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

My excitement was hard to contain, it is not often you can stand on the summit of Ben Nevis with clear views in all directions. I approached the summit trig point of Ben Nevis (NN167713) where I was greeted by a raven hopping around the summit trig point. I could not believe it, not only was a standing on the summit of Ben Nevis with clear views in all directions but there was also not another sole in sight. A truly magical and rare moment!

Looking west across the summit plateau of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

We rested and strolled around the summit taking in the views whilst munching the last of our lunch. We were being followed closely by a pair of snow buntings they must have been hoping that we dropped a sandwich for them to nibble on. Once we finished our lunches we circled again taking photographs before taking our summit photographs and beginning the descent.

Snow Buntings on the summit of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

At 1st we followed the cairns that mark the tourist path until we turned off to the summit of Carn Dearg (NN159719). From this summit a simple snow gully leads down in a north westerly direction directly to the tourist foot path (NN147724). It was a fantastic descent with great views out to the west, we could even see Skye outlined in the distance.

Me standing on the summit trig point of Ben Nevis. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Once back to the safety of the tourist foot path we removed the wind proofs and crampons then packed them away back into our ruck sacks. We were again now below the freezing line so we wasted no time in finding running water so we could re-hydrate and replenish the water bottles before moving on.

Looking across the Mamores towards Glen Coe. 13/03/2013 (Photo: A J Thorley)

We followed the tourist path to the northern end of the lochan (NN146732) where another unmarked footpath descends over open hillside in a northerly direction back to the upper car park. It was easy going and we soon reached the area where you can ford the river and regain the path back to the North Face car park. Changing back into our trainers we strolled slowly back to the car as the sun set over Fort William, Caol and Corpach.