Ben Nevis (Scotland) (map)

The Ben as seen from the CIC hut

Climbers gearing up at the CIC hut; Jim is the tall one in the orange top

On the approach to the CIC hut

The Ben, as seen from about half way on the approach. Too bad you can't drive up this far.

The Ben as seeon from the approach

Gear explosion in our tiny room above a pub in Fort William

Pretty river on the Ben

Lots of routes here - the Buachaille Etive Mor

Lots of routes here - the Buachaille Etive Mor

Descending the Ben toward the Red Burn area

Eric in a mess of ropes after topping out
Point Five Gully

Standing on the summit plateau after topping out
Point Five Gully

A view of Point Five Gully on the approach. The route follows the obvious deep gully on the left.
Point Five Gully

Jim on the steep snow fields on the approach to the base of the route. Our ascent was the first for the year, so we were breaking trail.
Point Five Gully

Leading the first pitch, which was a friable crust over rock
Point Five Gully

Unknown Italian climbers attempting to pass
Point Five Gully

Self portrait of Eric, cold and unhappy, but loving life
Point Five Gully

The final belay before topping out
Point Five Gully

Breaking through the cornice onto the flat summit plateau
Point Five Gully

White out on the summit; Jim is the tall person on the right
Point Five Gully

Eric standing next to the emergency shelter
Point Five Gully

Descending off the summit through intermetent white out

Descending from the col back into the valley

Descending from the col back into the valley

Descending from the col back into the valley

View of the Ben while descending from the summit

View of the Ben while descending from the summit

Approaching the CIC hut after the descent; things starting to clear up

A view of the mountains on the drive up from Glasgow