Saturday 16 January 2016

CARN MOR DEARG, NO CMD ARETE

Harvey & Paul enjoying the best view of Ben Nevis
No classic arete views from the summit
Excellent visibility on the descent, it's all relevant!
Almost the complete NF of Ben Nevis
Full snow cover on Carn Mor Dearg
Second day out on the guys winter weekend course. Harvey, Paul, Steve & John were all up for the classic winter ascent on the Carn Mor Dearg Arete to Ben Nevis. Two days previously the forecast for the West Highlands looked fantastic. Clear skies, hardly a breeze. Unfortunately the Atlantic low came in faster than was originally predicted. So we set off anyway, in hope! By 10.30am the first snow flakes were drifting out of the sky and already the Ben was starting to hide behind a blanket of white. Steve & John had to drop out with shoulder and feet problems, so it was down to just 3 to plough our way up the long slopes of Carn Mor Dearg. Full, deep snow cover all the way to the summit meant a long 5 hours from car park to top. More map and compass work above 900m. We decided not to go over the arete! Good points today, a fast descent and not a single soul on the hill, oh yes, and another good work out!

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