Only a couple of moves on snow required on Tower Ridge now. The ‘Eastern Traverse’ is clear, and the ‘Fallen Block’ chimney can be avoided on the left by a few big pulls on good jugs. The only spot where you need to touch snow is just below the final moves , well above Tower Gap. Many of the big easy gullies are still complete, but blocks of snow and ice were melting and falling down Observatory Gully today in large amounts,

Mark the Mountain Guide is producing a series of children’s books. Check them out on uTube.

Still pretty unsettled weather with heavy showers around in between the sunshine. Anyone thinking of getting on or off the Mamores from Steall, please be aware that the wire bridge has broken. This essential passage needs to be reinstated very quickly or river crossing incidents will become an issue, especially in high water conditions. There has been a bridge in this area for hundreds of years, not just for accessing the hills but during periods when folk lived in the crofts around this area.

Today groups were crossing over towards the waterfall at a number of points. Some parties were even descending the true left bank of the gorge towards the upper Glen Nevis car park. This is a potentially serious, exposed and slippery area.

Ben Nevis summit

Hi Alan

As you can see from attached, although we didn’t have the best of conditions, we made it. It was worth the trip – thanks for your advice.

Cheers, Mike

Thanks Mike. The recent cold showery conditions are forecast to get milder. I must get out to plant the ‘Tatties’ and winter might be officially finished!

Still cool and dry on the west coast and the rock is nice and dry. On Ben Nevis snow remains in large amounts on the north face and also above 1200 metres on the mountain track. Elsewhere, on lower hills most snow patches are avoidable on outings such as the ‘Ring of Steall’. The two photos below were taken yesterday.

Ben Nevis from Glenfinnan

Isle of Skye from the Ardnamurchan Peninisula