All the Ben Ridges in a day

I've been back at work in wonderful weather for the past few weeks but with a day off like Sunday there was no chance I'd be found lounging around. Ruari was over from the East for the day and I had a day off between stints on the Cuillin Ridge so we were keen to make the most of the cracking weather forecast.

Sally and I had spoken about doing all the Ben Nevis Ridges in a day through out Lockdown but just hadn't got round to it. Lockdown, weather, work commitments and the need to help out family came first. Now was the time.

We had a relaxed start, only leaving the carpark at 10am, and set off in the cloud and amongst the midges desperate to get on some ground where they would leave us alone. On the crux of Castle Ridge, our first for the day, we emerged above the clouds to a fantastic inversion. Heading down Ledge Route the clouds parted for us and soon we were cruising up Observatory Ridge, the hardest of the Ben Nevis Ridges, watching climbers on classic rock climbs like Minus One Direct.

​Less than an hour later we wandered down Tower Ridge which since it was some time after mid-day was nice and quiet and we didn't have to be those annoying people trying to climb past in the wrong direction. 

After descending Tower Ridge and remembering that this was the same way as it was first climbed we headed round into Coire Leis and onto North East Buttress where after saying hello to everyone topping out on their climbs on the north face Ruari got to climb the Mantrap and the 40ft Corner since he'd never done the route before.

After a snack on the top we headed over the CMD Arete enjoying the views looking back to all the other ridges we had already climbed over the last few hours and returned to the Fort for a cool, refreshing pint.

Some Stats:

Time: 9 hours
Distance: 17km
Ascent: 2300m
Descent: 2300m
Highest Point: 1345m
Ascent Time: 4h 43m
Descent Time: 3h 22m
Flat Time: 0h 55m

What's next? Well I guess the obvious thing is to try and get all the ridges in great condition with nice tracked out neve, on a good weather day, when I have a day off and find a partner who is equally psyched to do all the Ben Nevis ridges in a day...again...but in winter. Here's hoping it might be possible this coming winter.