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Leaving the car at about 9am we headed into Leanachan Forest and immediately hit the snowline, the track being covered with a few inches of fine powdery snow. The slope was relentless and this coupled with the heat caused us to shed layers as we went, but despite this we were making good time and soon we began to see blue skies through the gaps in the canopy.
As the trees finally began to thin the north face of Ben Nevis crept into view, slowly at first then its bulk dominating as it claimed the horizon for its own. The summit plateau of the Ben was clearly visible against a backdrop of cold, clear blue, unbroken by cloud and crowned by spindrift. The black rock ridges of the northern face flanking the snow filled gullies presented a glimpse of the routes to be conquered and the arete itself bridged the expanse of sky between these two great mountains. This is why we came to the north face.
Climbing a ladder over a small fence we made our way south following a path vaguely outlined beneath the snow, and after a time turned south east onto the western side of Carn Beag Dearg. The snow on these slopes deepened considerably as we climbed and all four of us continually sunk to knee depth, sapping our strength as we dragged our heavy thighs to the surface.
As we looked back towards the northern town of Fort William to take in the views the sound of rotors drifted above the wind and eventually through the cloud that hung in the glen the bright yellow hue of a mountain rescue helicopter rose towards us . We debated as to its purpose but having checked the avalanche forecast this morning the signs looked ominous, even more so as it moved quickly towards the north face of the Ben.
Turning back to our hill we gained height quickly and the snow gradually became more consolidated allowing us to walk on the surface fairly easily, albeit with the occasional heavy foot puncturing the perfect, glistening surface. We learned to stay away from the heather around which the snow was less stable and tried to minimise the monotonous task of reaching the surface after sinking in up to the thigh.
After some time we came to the col between Carn Beag Dearg and Carn Dearg Meadhonach and were greeted with the full splendour of the north face, every gully and buttress could be picked out in the spectacular conditions. Snow clung to every surface and the gullies were full but despite this splendour the eye was immediately drawn to the sight of a helicopter hovering above a clutch of climbers. We watched as two men were winched into the belly of the helicopter and it tipped its nose north towards Fort William. We were to learn on our return that two French climbers were swept 300m down the ice by an avalanche, each breaking both their legs in the process.
It was here that we chose to don our crampons as the slopes were becoming increasingly ice covered and also moved inwards away from the heavily corniced ridge. The wind was howling and filling our steps with snow as quickly as we could move forward making any notion of breaking trail for the others redundant. By this time we were making extremely slow going as hunger and fatigue set in, it was all we could do to keep moving. To the east skiers rode the slopes of Aonach Mor, making a mockery of our attempt to scale the mountain. Finally as we crested the top of Carn Dearg Meadhonach the final slope of Carn Mor Dearg entered our view, still so distant. As with all mountains however perspective is relative and as we descended to the foot of the final climb it began to look altogether less threatening. We we were up it in minutes and finally the summit cairn was ours. We had reached 1220m feeling every step.
Reaching the top of Carn Mor Dearg we gained our first full view of the arete we were to cross in order to gain the plateau of Ben Nevis. The ridge descended for about 150m and then formed into a narrow rocky ridge, covered in snow and ice. The arete curved towards the foot of the final slope which rose steeply to the highest point in the British Isles.
As we descended the exposure became threatening with steep drops on either side and strong, swirling winds. Despite the difficulties however the distance wasn't significant and as such we were optimistic of a safe traverse. We would skirt the high slopes of Coire Leis and make our way to the highest point in the UK.
Moving along the ridge the rocks became increasingly ice covered, the spaces in between filled with fresh wind blown snow. Despite the difficulties our movement was less than strenuous, attention diverted as it was by the expanse of air separating our crampons and the snows of Coire Leis. Our hands were rarely required and the distraction of the great north face supplied a staggering backdrop.
All too soon we reached the end of the ridge and were glad to make solid ground once more, a relief to plant a foot firmly after balancing on crampon points for much of the way. We had bridged the gap and without stopping we made our way slowly upwards towards the summit plateau, struggling on through a now bitter wind which had caused the deep snow to turn into thick ice. Picking various markers in the snow it was an intense struggle to reach each one but after what seemed like an endless grind we gained the summit and Scotland stretched before us.
In every direction the mountains were covered with a blanket of snow creating a white, jagged horizon framed against a backdrop of cloudless sky. The flat expanse of the summit stretched into the distance, brought to a sudden end by the sheer buttresses of the north face. This was the day of days.