The route can be climbed in either summer or winter although the latter is considerably more popular when parties attempt it daily. The trail initially climbs through a lovely pine forest, reaching an upper car park in around 20-30 minutes. It uses our lightest grade of micro rip-stop SKJOLDR™  waterproof breathable fabric. To reach the route you first need to park your car in the North Side of Ben Nevis car park. Tower Ridge is without doubt the finest way to climb Ben Nevis. Winter is coming at Tower Ridge apartments! This usually requires three pitches of climbing, the first over a huge spike with a step right out of a groove above and the second on the left up a groove leading to a huge flat boulder. This, the most famous of the great Nevis ridges, is a magnificent expedition. FREE UK MAINLAND DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS OVER £200, Best of Scottish Winter: Tower Ridge, Ben Nevis, Hodr Men's Hard Shell Waterproof Mountain Jacket, Grim Men's Hard Shell Waterproof Mountain Jacket, Odin Men's Hard Shell Waterproof Mountain Jacket, Jormun Men's Lightweight Hard Shell Jacket, Bergelmir Men's Hard Shell Waterproof Jacket, Tor Men's Ultra Lightweight Hooded Down Jacket, Floyen Men's Mid Layer Hybrid Insulated Jacket, Magni Men's Mid layer Hooded Fleece Jacket, Orindi Men's Merino Wool Thermal Base Layer, Valdyr Men's Hard Shell Drop Seat Mountain Pant, Vanir LT Men's Hard Shell Mountain & Ski Pant, Vanir LT Women's Hard Shell Ski and Mountaineering Trousers. From Tower Gully its possible to descend towards the CIC hut by first traversing across to the Gardyloo Buttress and then down Observatory Gully.The Western Traverse (IV, 4) offers a more difficult alternative to the Eastern traverse and also avoids the queues here. Keep climbing until you reach the Great Tower. Almost certainly the finest winter climb in the UK available to weekend warriors, and certainly the longest. Gaining the RidgeThere are a number of ways to commence the route. Tower Ridge is quite possibly the finest mountaineering route in the country and is an awe inspiring way to reach the summit of Ben Nevis! The normal winter route avoids the face of the Douglas Boulder by entering the foot of Observatory Gully to the left and then cutting back right to climb the East Gully to Douglas Gap (I). See the main Ben Nevis page regards descent routes. The normal winter route avoids the face of the Douglas Boulder by entering the foot of Observatory Gully to the left and then cutting back right to climb the East Gully to Douglas Gap (I). Ascend via a sequence of difficult moves over slabs, ledges and chimneys until the angle eases and the last difficulties are over. Wintery on Tower Ridge The rain was beating on the roof at 6.30am again this morning but glimpses of the tops yesterday confirmed that it was snow higher up so eventually I prised myself out of bed and threw a winter sack together. +4° in 2002). After 100m the gradient becomes abruptly steeper and some short posts may be seen; keep these to your left (north-east). Continue on down a steep but easy slope, for another kilometre on the same bearing or GPS NN14756 71865, then turn north towards the ‘Halfway-Lochan’. From the gap an awkward 20m groove/chimney leads to the crest of the ridge, which rises gently and becomes quite narrow. Alternatively, use the Pony track that descends the south side. Conditions can be fierce on the summit plateau so have in your mind your preferred method of descent upon topping out. Tower Ridge is the ultimate super-classic climb that is long, beautiful and has its crux sections right at the top. This is unmistakable because it is an almost vertical rock face and markedly more difficult than what you have been doing up until now. Technically easier than the North East Buttress and Observatory Ridge but it should not be underrated. However, snow build-up will dictate the easiest and most obvious route down. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Alternatively climb Douglas Gap West Gully (Scottish I) which offers better scenery. - Nuts, hexes and slings are best for this route. If after 800m on the recommended bearing you encounter steep ground and cliffs dead ahead you are advised to try and avoid them by going right (North) until it is possible to continue on the bearing (282 deg grid). Tower Ridge is Ben Nevis’s most famous ridge, descending approximately 600m down the north side from close to Ben Nevis’s summit. Solly, and J. Collier in March 1894. This is a great summer route for people looking to progress from scrambling to climbing or who aspire to climb Tower Ridge. The Little Tower usually requires 3-4 pitches of climbing, starting on the extreme left. Climb down the gap via tricky and loose ground. Because of its unusual length and the variable conditions-related difficulties that may be met, it needs to be taken seriously by even the most accomplished teams. Tower Ridge is Ben Nevis’s most famous ridge, descending approximately 600m down the north side from close to Ben Nevis’s summit. Tower Ridge: Solo in Winter Get link; Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; Email; Other Apps ; February 12, 2011 My partner for the last couple of days had to head South. Mountain rescue services regularly have to pick people off the upper stretches of the route after climbers have realized that they are unable to complete it. The sun gets high enough in April to give an Alpine experience in Scotland. It’s a long day out and an early start is essential. When the weather is good and you are moving well after a few months of wearing crampons, Tower Ridge is a delight. Follow a grid bearing of 231° for 140m from the summit shelter or 150m from the summit trig point (use a rope to measure it if you are not sure of your pacing) GPS NN16558 71180. He is the founder of Abacus Mountain Guides, an outdoor guiding company based in Fort William, as well as being the author of the guidebook Winter Climbs Ben Nevis and Glen Coe. The route is generally c… This same point can alternatively be reached from Observatory Gully by traversing in from higher up over Scottish II rocky steps and steep snowfalls. Note: it is possible to continue the Eastern Traverse by an exposed delicate step further left from the foot of the chimney. The route then levels out before another pitch leads to the foot of the Great Tower.The Great TowerOn the left side of the tower a very exposed and steeply banked snow ledge (the Eastern Traverse) is followed horizontally left past a slab corner and round an edge to beneath a huge fallen-block chimney which may be covered in snow. By Ben Nevis standards the approach to Tower Ridge is easy beyond the CIC due to its relatively close proximity and minimal height gain. Pass the block, steep walls and ledges to the top of the Great Tower with some difficulty. It's long, often done, and well talked about. Not for the faint-hearted! Several trail options go through woods, meadows, lowlands, marshes, and Lake Wissota’s shoreline. Castle Ridge is one of our favourite winter ridges. Photo By Matt Preprost. A fantastic grade 3 / Diff scramble including the iconic Tower Gap, a mental test in an incredible and atmospheric setting. There are beginner and advanced trails. A winter ascent of Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis, April 2nd 2010 during the best winter for over forty years A number of years ago, the upper car park was reached by way of a steep and terribly eroded, often muddy, path but fortunately things have improved.From the upper car park, climb over the style and follow the trail along the Allt a’Mhuilinn stream south-west to the CIC hut. LIGHT IN WEIGHT, SMALL ON SPACE. Climb down into the gap (tricky and loose!) This is one of Scotland's must do scrambling ridgelines with it's infamous gap. Brilliant! The route is generally considered to be somewhere between a medium or hard Scottish III and an easy Scottish IV depending on who you ask or where you read. For late December, Tower Ridge is really well filled in with good snow, and a lot of soft snow lower down. Mike Pescod is an IFMGA guide, and a member of Jöttnar's Pro Team. Sometimes the cornice can be a problem necessitating an initial snow bollard abseil but usually there is a section of cornice dug out from below. The route can be climbed in either summer or winter although the latter is considerably more popular when parties attempt it daily. The Little tower, and above, presents the most technical challenges of the route. Images Tower Ridge    500m ascent, 1000m of climbing        IV,3***, J.N. The route then cuts back left to follow the exposed ridge to beneath the Little Tower. If Tower Ridge and the Cuillin are a bit too much liker climbing, but rope-free walking seems a bit, well, pedestrian, then the classic Scottish grade II winter ridges might be just the job. They had ascended it as far as the Great Tower the previous day. Above the flat top of the Little Tower an easier section leads to the foot of the Great Tower, an impossibly steep rock step. For more guides by Mike on some classic Scottish winter routes, see the following:  Point Five Gully, Gemini, Curved Ridge, Number Three Gully Buttress. This site uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience. All Rights Reserved. Stay warm in this 2x2! In a nutshell, don't attempt the route if Scottish III is your absolute limit for leading.The route was first climbed by J.N. Tower Ridge in full winter glory So, wait until the spring when the days are long, the snow cover is brilliant and the rock is starting to become exposed again in all the right places for hand holds. The main difficulties are over once Tower Gap has been negotiated. It’s a long day out and an early start is essential.