CMD arete, Ben Nevis

Today i was leading a group up the CMD arete and onto Ben Nevis. This route 1st goes up Carn Mor Dearg (Big red hill) round the 1km ridge and then up to the summit of Ben Nevis. A classic route in the UK.

With a windy forecast it was touch and go as to whether we would get along the arete which is narrow and rough.

We made good progress up to the summit of Carn Mor Dearg getting glimpses of the north face of Ben Nevis under the cloud. Once up the grassy hill side and onto the summit ridge we were in the full brunt of the wind.

It was windy at the summit and I had a good view along the arete which a few other groups were making their way along.

On the start of the CMD arete it was very windy so I took the decision to take the left, and sheltered path off the top of the ridge. This got us most of the way down the descent where the wind was then more sheltered.

From there we got amazing views to the north face of Ben Nevis and the CIC hut. From the end of the CMD arete we then made our way up the final boulder slope to the summit of Ben Nevis.

At the summit of the UKs highest peak, we were welcomed by bag pipes, guitar and around 100 people, a bit of a difference from the day we had had.