Ben Nevis Mountain, U.K., Guided Winter Ascent

Our guide will aim to meet you at 8am, this can change if weather dictates. Our guide will meet you out the front door of the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre in Glen Nevis. Phone signal is not the best at this location.

We will set out from the Visitor Centre in Glen Nevis at approximately 8am (an early start in winter is essential to make the most of daylight hours), and set off up the Mountain Track, which zigzags its way up to Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe (also known as Halfway Lochan and sits at 600m above sea level). The path here is good underfoot and you’ll get magnificent views up towards the Mamores from this section. The path levels out at Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe for a bit, before it doubles back, and crosses the Red Burn at nearly 700m. It is often from above here that snow accumulations are encountered, and the path, which is obvious in summer, can be completely obscured by drifted snow. If the snow is hard packed or icy, then crampons will need to be worn, and a walking ice axe used. We’ll coach you in how to use this equipment safely and effectively. From here the upper zigzags are encountered, which weave their way up to the summit plateau at 1200m. If it’s clear, you’ll be rewarded with breath-taking views over Loch Linnhe, towards Glencoe and down towards the Isle of Mull. The summit plateau can be a very hostile place in winter, with very few features for navigation. The wind can whip across this exposed area and blown snow will quickly bury footprints. From gaining the summit plateau, a further 1km will bring you to the summit cairn, the highest point in the United Kingdom. The return leg will follow the same route back down the mountain. Please note that due to safety considerations, we cannot guarantee reaching the summit of the mountain, as there are times when very strong winds or in rare cases for this route, avalanche hazards can be in full effect. That said, we will guide you safely, develop your knowledge and make the most of prevailing conditions.

Our guide will have emergency equipment and first aid kit, but we do ask that everyone is able to look after themselves with spare layers, hats, gloves, and goggles.

We have ice axes, crampons and helmets which are free to use but if this is already in use, we may ask you to hire from Ellis Brigham in Fort William. We recommend a stiff walking boot, our crampons will go on a B1 boots but B2 is better in the Winter, we do not supply boots, these can be hired from Ellis Brigham.

You will need your normal hill gear with some extras for winter including lots of gloves and goggles.

Please bring along a synthetic 'belay' jacket as an emergency layer (which will hopefully spend much of its time in the bottom of your pack in a waterproof bag. The can be picked up at either Decathlon or Go Outdoors quite cheaply, and are far warmer and more packable than a traditional fleece.

Please also make sure that you have a headtorch with spare batteries.

If you are missing any items or have questions regarding kit, please do get in touch and we'll do our best to help. Please note that if you turn up without appropriate gear and haven't arranged for us to bring spare, we may refuse to lead you on the hills. It's also definitely worth bringing along a set of hiking poles, as it’s a great way to steady yourself on the snow and ice.