You don’t often get enough snow in Ardnamurchan for Winter climbing, but we had a few cold, snowy days with snow right down to sea level. This allowed me to get back onto Ben Hiant with my ice axe for the first time in over 18 years – the last time being New Year 2000-2001
I reconnoitred the routes I climbed with Lee and Andrew back then, and then nipped up a gully line I spotted on the left, up over a couple of turfy bulges to be rewarded by excellent views from the top. There were two ravens at the top, so I think either Summit or Raven Gully would be apt name for the line!
I then descend slightly and climbed the top section of North West Ridge.
Great views from the summit cairn over to Mull and towards Sunart and Lochaber
Panorama looking west to north to east
Ice at the top of North West Ridge
Ben Hiant Topo.
- Raven (Summit) Gully
- North Face Route
- North West Ridge
https://www.smc.org.uk/downloads/publications/guidebook-extras/highland-outcrops-south-website.pdf
On another note, Andrew Briggs made what we believe the first Ski ascent and descent of Ben Hiant this week as well!