CMD in stunning conditions

Today I was out guiding Pete on Ben Nevis. Pete is quite a seasoned fell runner and had done a bit of climbing in the Alps so we decided to head up the Ben via the CMD Arete. There was still a fair bit of snow on the upper forestry track so we left the car and walked the final 500m.

There was a fair mix of snow conditions ranging from some icy scoured slopes near the summit of Carn Mor Dearg to knee and thigh deep drifts in places.

The arete itself was in good condition and was icy for most of it until about tow thirds round at which point there was some deep soft snow. The final slope up to Ben Nevis today was hard work in the deep snow but Pete, who is quite used to slogging in his running, took it all in his stride!

The Ben looks to be shaping up nicely!