Picture taken by Adele Pennington on Right twin today, good conditions but exit a bit dodgy!

Hi Alan.

Thought you might like these for the blog ………. not a bad effort for an old ‘un (and mum did really well too!) pretty impressive for a 73 year old!! ……….. we should all have a few mountain days left in us yet!!! 5 1/2 hours up and about 3 1/2 down.

Typical Ben day. Icy on the zig zags, few snow flurries during ascent and descent and zero viz on the summit plateau. I was disappointed that mum didn’t get the views, but she didn’t mind as she said it was more exciting as it was. Lovely and clear below plateau level with great views, so a nice contrast. Usual selection of ill equipped people about. Possible to wander about in Merrel approach shoes (seemingly!!!!!) but much easier in crampons from about mid way up the zig zags. Compass essential on plateau as some cairns buried and you couldn’t see from one to another anyway ………… didn’t seem to stop some people though!!

Cheers

Dave

Today the weather turned out better than forecast and thanks to Scott Kirkhope for this rather nice shot on Stob Ban.

Bad weather is on the way, followed by some really cold systems. Thanks to Dave Barker who took these photos over the weekend.

Hi Alan,

Just back. Beautiful day on Ben Nevis, but no one climbing except a few teams on Tower Ridge as far as we could see (which was to Skye from the plateau!). Here’s a few pics which you’re welcome to for your blog. Quite a few traditional routes possible, plus perfect mixed conditions. Lots of clear definition between scoured neve and windslab throughout the corries, so safe travel fairly obvious today. Neve is bullet! We did Green and Comb, the obvious classic choices.

Cheers, Tim

Thanks Tim. Tim is runing the British Mountain Guides winter training course from Calluna this week.

Talk- ‘Ramsays Round, the classic 24 hour Scottish Challenge’.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Lochaber’s ‘Ramsay’s Round’ the originator Charlie Ramsay will
give a talk on this long distance hill running challenge which should not be missed by anyone with a
love of walking, running or the hills.
The Ramsay’s Round is a 24 hour circuit of 58 miles taking in 24 summits including Ben Nevis, with a
total climb of around 28,500 feet (nearly the height of Everest). The route was first completed by
Ramsay in 1978, with just 2 minutes to spare he had achieved his dream of circuiting all of the key
Lochaber mountains in a single day.
Charlie will discuss history and development, the physical and mental challenges, the adventure, as
well as providing inspiration for us all.
• Date: Tuesday 19th March 2013.
• The talk will start at 8pm.
• Ben Nevis Hotel and Leisure Club, North Road, Fort William, PH33 6TG.
• The room has 100 capacity, first come first served.
• £1 entrance, payable at the door.
• Organised by Lochaber Athletic Club.
• Further information- jongayarchitect@googlemail.com

Gear for Sale
Used crampons winter mountaineering/mixed climbing £20.00
Grivel G10 mountaineering crampons. New                       £50.00
Scarpa Vega plastics NEW. Size 5/6/7/8                            £75.00
Scarpa Manta NEW. Size 37                                                  £150.00
Sportiva Nepal Extrem. Size 45                                            £150.00
Lowe Alpine bottle pockets NEW                                        £3.00
Gaiters NEW                                                                            £3 – £25
Water Bottles NEW                                                                £1 – £5
Flasks                                                                                        £3 – £5
Maps (Ben Nevis/Glencoe) 1:40000                                 £13.00
Winter gloves/mitts                                                              £17 – £23
Ben Nevis/Glencoe winter climbing guide                       £16.95
Chalk Balls                                                                              £2.00
Chalk Bags                                                                             £9.95 – £12.95
Finger Tape                                                                            £2.99 – £3.99

Lots of well used winter crampon bits and pieces and old boots for sale VERY CHEAP.

Having left Fort William for for some dry warm weather, we arrived in Naples;)

Thanks to Spike Sellers for this photo taken whilst walking up Ben Nevis with a strong Dutch group on Saturday 1st December. The Met Office say that winter has officially started!