Myself leading the first pitch on Point Five GullyYesterday Gwilym and I got a very early (4am) start and headed up the Ben to climb Point Five Gully V 5. The weather was supposed to be fine in the morning before deteriorating in the afternoon, sadly for us it seemed to deteriorate as soon as it got light! We persevered though and got to the bottom of the route just as the team ahead showered us with a dropped ice screw and just in time to lead up the first pitch and free their stuck ropes as well!
I led the first pitch and the third, known as the 'Rogue pitch'. The climbing was steep ice but not too hard, the real challenge was provided by the almost constant heavy stream of spindrift that we had to climb though and also blinded us for much of the route. After the first 3 technical pitches there remained a further 3 or 4 pitches of easier ground with the odd steep ice step before reaching the cornice.
We topped out gulping for air and breathing a big sigh of relief. Another Scottish classic ticked and definately earned.
I led the first pitch and the third, known as the 'Rogue pitch'. The climbing was steep ice but not too hard, the real challenge was provided by the almost constant heavy stream of spindrift that we had to climb though and also blinded us for much of the route. After the first 3 technical pitches there remained a further 3 or 4 pitches of easier ground with the odd steep ice step before reaching the cornice.
We topped out gulping for air and breathing a big sigh of relief. Another Scottish classic ticked and definately earned.
Orion face of Ben Nevis and Point Five Gully (marked)
Climbers starting Hadrians Wall Direct V 5. They later retreated due to poor ice conditions
Packing up our gear by the summit shelter after climbing Point Five
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